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Renault Clio
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Renault Clio | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Renault |
| Also called | Renault Lutecia |
| Production | 1990–present |
| Predecessor | Renault 5 |
| Class | Supermini |
| Layout | FF layout |
The Renault Clio is a supermini/subcompact produced by the French automaker Renault. Originally launched in 1990, it is currently in its third generation. The Clio has seen substantial critical and commercial success, being consistently one of Europe's top-selling cars since its launch, and it is largely credited with restoring Renault's reputation and stature after a difficult second half of the 1980s.
The Clio has been sold as the Renault Lutecia in Japan, as Honda owns the right to the name Clio in Japan (being one of Honda's sales networks in Japan). A four-door sedan was developed for certain markets where sedans are traditionally preferred over hatchbacks and was sold under names Renault Clio Symbol, Renault Clio Sedan, Renault Clio Tricorps, and Renault Thalia. It is also sold under the Nissan nameplate in some Latin American markets as the Nissan Platina with slight changes in the front of the car to make it resemble the Nissan Altima. Both the Renault Clio (4 door hatchback) and the Nissan Platina (4 door sedan) are marketed in Mexico, each by their respective manufacturer.
Contents |
| Second generation - Clio II | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Manufacturer | Renault |
| Also called | Nissan Platina Renault Clio Campus Renault Thalia |
| Production | 1998–2005 |
| Body style(s) | 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback |
| Engine(s) | 1.2 L I4 1.4 L I4 1.5 L diesel I4 1.6 L I4 1.9 diesel I4 2.0 L I4 |
The all-new second generation of the Clio was launched in the spring of 1998, with considerably more rounded and bulbous styling than its predecessor. Part of the radical concept of the new Clio were many components made of unusual materials to save in weight and repair costs. For instance, the front wings were made of plastic and the material of the bonnet was aluminium in some versions. Originally the engine lineup was similar to before, with 1.2 L, 1.4 L and 1.6 L gasoline engines and a 1.9 L diesel. In early 1999, a sportive 16V version equipped with a new 1.6 L 16-valve engine was introduced, and eventually, all the older gasoline engines were upgraded to more powerful and more economical 16-valve versions. Also worth a mention is the 1.6i 16v RSi, due to its rarity only a limited number of 1000 were produced between late 1999 to 2001. They featured a light-weight alloy bonnet (also used on some of the Ph1 172's) and the same 'Taurus' design alloy wheels fitted to the 1.6 16v models. The interior was half leather with blue print fabric and leather rimmed steering wheel, leather head rests were a dealer option on this model.
In 1999, Renault launched the 172 hp (128 kW) Clio RS (short for Renault Sport), named Clio Renault Sport 172, with a 2.0 L 16-valve engine and a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph). But in this form, the car is capable of surprisingly good handling and performance. The top-of-the-range Clio however was the exotic mid-engined, rear-wheel drive Clio V6 Renault Sport, which placed a 166 kW (230 hp) 3.0 L V6 engine sourced from the Renault Laguna behind the front seats, with a top speed of 235 km/h (146 mph).
A facelift of the Mk2 occurred in the spring of 2001 which saw the exterior restyled, the interior quality improved and a 1.5 L direct-injection diesel engine added.
The Renault Sport (formerly Alpine) factory in Dieppe got its hands on the latest model and so the mk2 ph1 Renault Sport Clio 172 was facelifted inside and out and some modifications made to the engine, including a change to fly by wire from cable throttle, producing the mk2 ph2 Renault Sport Clio 172. A lightened more focused version was also added to the range, known as the Renault Sport Clio 172 Cup. 172 Cups were produced in 2 colours, mainly Mondial Blue (similar to Arctic Blue as used on the later 182) and a smaller number of Iceburg Silver cups, all have silver 16" Speedline Turini alloys as standard. The Cup benefited from lower, stiffer suspension, massive weight reduction (80 kg!) which was achieved with thinner glass, spare wheel removal, removal of air conditioning and thus use of a smaller Alternator, the 172 cup also has no ABS or traction control making it what many deem to be the most hardcore of the Renault Sport Clio range.
The Renault Sport Clio 172's replacement was announced in late 2003 in the guise of the Renault Sport Clio 182 - featuring several discrete changes such as stiffer suspension, wider track, a slightly longer wheelbase, and the not so subtle twin centre exit exhausts. The exhaust manifold, catalytic converter and exhausts themselves providing the main power increase to 182 PS (approx 179 hp) compared to the previous 172 (169 hp).
From its introduction the 182 had cup pack options - the cup suspension pack being recognisable by the Anthracite wheels where those without cup suspension have silver wheels - the cup suspension is slightly stiffer and the hubs are stronger than those on the 182 without cup suspension (which uses 172 hubs albeit with the wider track associated with the 182. The cup spoiler pack feature a splitter under the front bumper and an enlarged boot spoiler, as previously fitted on the 172 cup.
The Clio 182 Cup came about in 2005 with less bells and whistles than the 182 (yet featuring both cup packs as standard) and hence a lower price tag - only available in Racing Blue (with or without Gordini tribute stripes) and Inferno Red (Orange!).
The special edition Renault Sport Clio 182 Trophy, recognisable by its Capsicum Red paint and anthracite coloured Speedline Turini alloy wheels, came about after the 182 Cup. The Trophy has been heralded as one of the best hot hatches of all time and won 'Evo' magazine's People's Performance Car of The Year, 2005, beating rivals such as the Lamborghini Gallardo and other exotica in the process. Only 500 were made for the UK (and 50 for Switzerland). The main difference between the Trophy and the normal 182 Cup is the Sachs race-engineered suspension that affords the Trophy handling unparalleled in its market, designed specifically for the UK's demanding Car Enthusiast market, specifically to suit UK A and B roads.
Renault also produced the mk2 ph2 Clio v6, which looks like it is on steroids compared to the 182. The Mk2 Ph2 V6 is a mid engined, rear wheel drive, 255 bhp (190 kW) 24v 3.0 litre baby supercar, it is quite a spectacle. Featuring a manufacturers stated: 0 - 62.5 speed of 5.6sec and a top speed of 153 mph (246 km/h).
Renault decided to continue selling the Clio II until 2008; the Clio II is sold alongside with the Clio III; but with a smaller price and known as the Clio Campus. In 2006 this model was facelifted with a restyled front and rear. The number plate moves from boot (or trunk) to bumper.
In 2001 Renault launched the sedan version of the Clio II, named Clio Symbol (Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria), Thalia (the rest of Eastern Europe) or Clio Sedan (Southern Cone). Originally, the car was intended for sale in developing countries, but due to demand, it was later made available in countries where sedans were traditionally preferred over hatchbacks, most notably Spain and a few countries in Eastern Europe. In Eastern Europe, the Thalia is cheaper than the Clio, but is still about 30% more expensive than the Dacia Logan, which is also sold by Renault in that market but is a low cost model. In a few markets where Renault was not present, the sedan was offered as the Nissan Platina (manufactured in Aguascalientes Mexico at a Renault-Nissan factory and sold throughout Latin America), with three exceptions being Chile, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica, where both the Nissan and Renault models are present.
Beginning in 2007, an improvised third-generation Clio Symbol has been offered in Turkey and Bulgaria as Renault Symbol. This model features the interior of the facelifted Clio II with very minor parts commonality with Megane II, as well as new standard and optional equipment, such as automatic air conditioning and a CD player. The model earned moderate reception in the domestic market. Nonetheless, it is expected to remain in production until late 2008, when a sedan version of Clio III is expected.
The Clio was launched in Mexico in 2000; these versions have the 1.6 16v petrol engine.
| Third generation - Clio III | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | Renault |
| Production | 2005–present |
| Body style(s) | 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback 5-door estate |
| Related | Nissan Micra Renault Modus |
An all-new third generation Clio was unveiled in 2005. It uses a platform co-developed with Nissan (which Renault has a share in) that is shared with the Renault Modus, the current Nissan Micra and the Nissan Note. It is considerably larger and 130 kg (287 lb) heavier as well as more expensive than the Clio II, and at nearly 4 metres in length has almost outgrown the 'supermini' class. This was the result of a decision to move the Clio upmarket. It also brings the trademark "Renault Card" keyless immobiliser to the Clio for the first time. The outgoing Clio II will continue to be sold as a budget option known as the Clio Campus. The new Clio achieved a 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating, joining the rest of Renault's family of top-rated consumer motors - with the exception of the Kangoo and Twingo - which all have the maximum safety rating. Sales of the 3-door model began throughout Europe in October 2005, with a 5-door model following in early 2006. It was voted European Car of the Year 2006, and was considered by the judges to be the car which will set the benchmark for quality, safety and style for a car in this class.
In June 2006 the sales of the third generation Clio Renaultsport started in France for the price of €23000. The Clio Renaultsport is equipped with a new naturally aspirated 16-valve 2 liter engine based on the earlier version used in the second generation Clio Renaultsport and a 6-speed gearbox. The engine develops 145 kW (197 hp) at 7250 rpm. The top speed is 215 km/h (134 mph) and 0-100 km/h takes 6.9 seconds.
Renault exhibited a Hi-Flex Clio Mk II with a 1.6 L 16-valve engine at the 2006 Paris International Agricultural Show. This vehicle, which addresses the Brazilian market, features Renault-developed flex-fuel technology, with a highly versatile engine that can run on fuel containing a blend of gasoline and ethanol in any proportion (0% to 100% of either).
An estate version, the Sport Tourer, was unveiled in March 2007 but is not yet available to purchase.
| Engine | Type | Power | Top speed | 0-100 km/h | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 L (999 cc) | 8-valve I4 | 58 bhp (43 kW) | 144 km/h (89 mph) | 18.2 s | Brazil, 2002-2005 |
| 1.0 L (999 cc) (gas/ethanol) | 16-valve I4 (D4D) | 70-77 bhp | 165 km/h (103 mph) | 14.1 s | Brazil, 2003-present |
| 1.2 L (1149 cc) | 8-valve I4 | 60 bhp (43 kW) | 160 km/h (99 mph) | 13.5 s | 1996-1998 |
| 1.2 L (1149 cc) | 16-valve I4 | 75 bhp (55 kW) | 170 km/h (106 mph) | 13.0 s | 2001-present |
| 1.2 L (1171 cc) | 8-valve I4 | 60 bhp (44 kW) | 155 km/h (96 mph) | 15.2 s | 1990-1995 |
| 1.2 L (1239 cc) | 8-valve I4 | 54 bhp (40 kW) | 150 km/h (93 mph) | 14.5 s | 1995-1996 |
| 1.4 L (1390 cc) | 8-valve I4 | 80 bhp (59 kW) | 175 km/h (109 mph) | 11.2 s | 1997 |
| 1.4 L (1390 cc) | 8-valve I4 | 75 bhp (55 kW) | 170 km/h (106 mph) | 12.0 s | 1998-2001 |
| 1.4 L (1390 cc) | 16-valve I4 | 98 bhp (72 kW) | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 11.2 s | 1998-present |
| 1.5 L (1461 cc) | 8-valve dCi I4 | 65 bhp (48 kW) | 162 km/h (101 mph) | 15.0 s | 2001-present |
| 1.5 L (1461 cc) | 8-valve dCi I4 | 68 bhp (50 kW) | 162 km/h (101 mph) | 15.2 s | 2005-present |
| 1.5 L (1461 cc) | 8-valve dCi I4 | 86 bhp (63 kW) | 174 km/h (108 mph) | 12.7 s | 2001-present |
| 1.5 L (1461 cc) | 8-valve dCi I4 | 100 bhp (73 kW) | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 10.6 s | 2003-present |
| 1.5 L (1461 cc) | 8-valve dCi I4 | 106 bhp (78 kW) | 190 km/h (118 mph) | 11.1 s | 2001-present |
| 1.6 L (1565 cc) | 8-valve I4 | 74 bhp (53 kW) | 170 km/h (106 mph) | 13.5 s | 1996-2005 |
| 1.6 L (1598 cc) | 16-valve I4 | 88 bhp (65 kW) | 177 km/h (110 mph) | 11.9 s | 2005-present |
| 1.6 L (1598 cc) | 16-valve I4 | 110 bhp (81 kW) | 194 km/h (121 mph) | 9.6 s | 1998-present |
| 1.6 L (1598 cc) | 16-valve I4 | 112 bhp (81 kW) | 190 km/h (118 mph) | 10.2 s | 1998-present |
| 1.7 L (1698 cc) | 8-valve D I4 | 1990-1991 | |||
| 1.8 L (1794 cc) | 8-valve I4 | 95 bhp (70 kW) | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 9.9 s | 1990-1998 |
| 1.8 L (1794 cc) | 8-valve I4 | 110 bhp (81 kW) | 195 km/h (121 mph) | 8.6 s | RSi |
| 1.8 L (1764 cc) | 16-valve I4 | 137 bhp (101 kW) | 209 km/h (130 mph) | 7.7 s | 16S/16valver |
| 1.9 L (1870 cc) | 8-valve D I4 | 65 bhp (48 kW) | 161 km/h (100 mph) | 14.8 s | Clio I, Clio II |
| 1.9 L (1870 cc) | 8-valve dTi I4 | 80 bhp (59 kW) | 175 km/h (109 mph) | 13.0 s | Clio II |
| 2.0 L (1997 cc) | 16-valve I4 | 140 bhp (101.5 kW) | 205 km/h (127 mph) | 8.5 s | |
| 2.0 L (1998 cc) | 16-valve I4 | 150 bhp (110 kW) | 215 km/h (134 mph) | 7.8 s | 16S Williams |
| 2.0 L (1998 cc) | 16-valve I4 | 172 bhp (126 kW) | 220 km/h (137 mph) | 7.2 s | 2000-2004, RS |
| 2.0 L (1998 cc) | 16-valve I4 | 182 bhp (133 kW) | 222 km/h (138 mph) | 7.1 s | 2004-2006, RS |
| 2.0 L (1998 cc) | 16-valve I4 | 197 bhp (145 kW) | 220 km/h (137 mph) | 6.9 s | 2006-present, RS |
| 3.0 L (2946 cc) | 24-valve V6 | 230 bhp (166 kW) | 235 km/h (146 mph) | 6.4 s | |
| 3.0 L (2946 cc) | 24-valve V6 | 255 bhp (187 kW) | 245 km/h (152 mph) | 5.8 s | 2000-present, RS |
- Rip Curl (2007) - Advertised with the slogan "for the surfer in you", the Rip Curl boasts features such as special "Rip Curl" branding, two-tone seats, leather gear knob and wheel, and 16inch alloy wheels.
In April 2006, UK consumer affairs TV programme Watchdog aired details of incidents involving a number of Clio Mk2's in which the bonnet flew open without warning whilst being driven - The problem was traced to a faulty safety catch.
The problem was originally brought to the attention of Watchdog by a member of an independent Renault community (RenaultForums) whose members have been involved in campaigning to have the problem more thoroughly investigated.
By March 2007, Watchdog had received a further 1,000 cases.
Renault has apparently stated there is no fault with the catch and refuses to replace those in circulation. However, a new design catch has been fitted to the Mk3.
Renault is now writing to all Renault Clio Mk2 owners inviting them to bring their car back to a garage for inspection of the bonnet latch.
In March 2007 an online government E-Petition had been created to petition the Prime Minister to order an independent enquiry into the problem.
A Group has been set up on Google to create a central register location for people to join who have been affected by this issue, available here: Clio Action Group.
- In the United Kingdom, the Clio was advertised on television using the characters "Nicole" (a flirtatious young French woman played by Estelle Skornik) and "Papa" (her somewhat slow-witted father played by Max Douchin). The commercials were very popular and in the final one of the series actually featured Bob Mortimer and Vic Reeves. In 2000, the 1991 commercial "Interesting" was named the 12th best television commercial of all time, in a poll conducted by The Sunday Times and Channel 4.
- The Clio Mk2 advertising campaign featured French model Hélène Mahieu, and then French international footballer Thierry Henry for the Mk3, both attempting to define the term va-va-voom, a term later defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "The quality of being exciting, vigorous, or sexually attractive", although they state that it dates from the 1950s. In Brazil, the Clio had a trim level called Va Va Voom. The trim level has been discontinued.
- The current campaign for the new Clio features French actress Annelise Hesme and English actor Jeremy Sheffield trying to outdo each other over the superiority of each nation via a range of cultural aspects. This "France Vs Britain" - French Car, British Designers - campaign has been extended across a number of media, for example the French Film, British Cinemas tag for the annual Renault French Film Festival. The music used is from The Thomas Crown Affair.
The UK received its first imports of the Clio in March 1991. At this stage, Renault was in its early years of being a popular brand with British buyers, and was still a long way off matching the sales success of British marques Ford, Vauxhall and Rover. The Clio seemed ideal for increasing Renault's UK market share, as it was streets ahead of many of its rivals in terms of quality, comfort, refinement, equipment and space.
Although it failed to reach the top 10 for British car sales in 1991, it did so the following year with 34,000 sales making it the tenth most popular new car in Britain. Sales continued to increase over the years and by the time the second generation Clio went on sale in May 1998, the Clio had almost single handedly achieved a massive sales boost for Renault.
The second generation Clio continued where its predecessor left off, and the 2001 facelift only sought to improve its sales success. It was still selling well on the arrival of its successor in October 2005, and continued to be available as a budget alternative.
The Clio's third incarnation was an instant hit with buyers, and in April 2007 it received an impressive showing for reliability in an Auto Express customer satisfaction survey. Of 100 cars surveyed, it was rated as the 49th most satisfying car to own. This was a welcome achievement for Renault, who had been rated among the least satisfying cars to own in a string of recent customer satisfaction surveys. Importantly, it was placed ahead of key competitors including the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 206 and Volkswagen Polo.
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Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
- The Clio was the third Renault car since 1962 to be called with a non-numeric name (after the Renault Espace and the Renault Fuego). If the 1960s Renault Rambler - an AMC model built and sold in Europe under the Renault brand - is included, that puts the Renault Clio in fourth position. Within five years of the Clio's launch, numeric numbers had been completely abandoned by Renault.
- Hot hatch versions include the Williams, RS, RS Team, RS Trophy and RS Clio V6.
- The Clio Mk3's launch onto the Australian market has been delayed by two years. Originally to be launched in December of 2005, the car was delayed by a few months, then a year, by huge demand in Europe. The car's launch was then delayed for another year in November of 2006, just weeks from its Australian launch. This was due to major pricing issues, and Renault worried that it would have no vehicle left in the Light car class. The car is now expected in Australia by November/December of 2007.
- In 1992, the Clio was Renault's first car to reach the top 10 of Britain's car sales charts. It has featured in the top 10 every year since then except 1998.
- European Car of the Year in 1991.
- European Car of the Year in 2006.
- Winner of El Mejor Automóvil Subcompacto (Best supermini) on Automóvil Panamericano magazine in 2002, 2003 and 2004 in Mexico.
- Renault Clio product page
- Renault Clio V6 at AutoGuideWiki.com
- Renaultsport Clio 197 - English
- BBC reports
- Club Clio UK
- Clio Club
- Clio Sport Forum
| <- Previous | Renault car timeline, 1980s-present | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |||||
| City car | Twingo | Twingo II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supermini | 5 / 7 | Super 5 | Clio I | Clio II / Thalia | Clio III | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Small family car | 14 | 9 / 11 | 19 | Mégane I | Mégane II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large family car | 18 | 21 | Laguna I | Laguna II | Laguna III | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive car | 20 / 30 | 25 | Safrane | Vel Satis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leisure activity vehicle | Kangoo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mini MPV | Modus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact MPV | Scénic I | Scénic II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large MPV | Espace I | Espace II | Espace III | Espace IV | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé | Fuego | Avantime | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | Spider | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
