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Filmed by: Tomaž Kožar Jesenice
In the spring of 1991 the original Renault Clio hit UK showrooms, promoted by a memorable advertising campaign featuring "Papa" and "Nicole". The television commercials painted a picture of a chic, sexy, fun-loving lifestyle behind the wheel of a nippy little Clio.
Sixteen years on, both Nicole and the car are all grown up and the latest Clio has ballooned in stature -- more supermidi than supermini.
The third generation of this French classic, launched in 2005, is not only wider but also longer and taller, so that mature Nicoles and their husbands can share a practical family car. The rear seating has space for two adults and, at 288 litres, the boot offers plenty of room for luggage and children's paraphernalia.
The car has lost some of its youthful va va voom along the way (unless you go for one of the high-performance Renaultsport versions) but, as a result, the latest Clio is quiet and comfortable enough for long-distance driving.
The interior is also a step up in quality -- soft-touch plastics and grained surfaces replace the hard, shiny and metallic areas of yesteryear. It's difficult not to be impressed by the Clio's well laid-out dashboard with its large, clear dials and an onboard computer as standard.
The offset pedals of the previous models are a thing of the past and you now sit straighter and more ergonomically. Only the absence of height adjustment for the steering column as standard spoils the otherwise excellent layout. The standard-fit CD player is easily adjusted via controls mounted on the steering wheel and all cars come with electric front windows and colour-coded bumpers.
Unfortunately, figuring out what else is standard on each model requires an NVQ from the Renault training college. With a series of trim levels, plus limited editions that slip in and out of the range regularly, it is important to write up your wish list of equipment and tick each item off when considering a secondhand example.
Air-conditioning and alloys are among the most important items, while factory-fitted sat nav, keyless entry and adaptive headlamps are nice to have but not worth paying too much extra for.
Leather upholstery is rare, although it has been standard on top spec Initiale models since 2006.
Renault also offers a bewildering range of engines with 1.2, 1.4, 1.6 and 2 litre petrol units and a 1.5 litre diesel that has three states of tune, offering 68, 86 or 106bhp. To make things simpler, there's not a single duffer among them.
Your best bet is to buy a mid-range one, be it petrol or diesel, as they tend to strike a good balance between performance, economy and longevity. If you want a proper bit of Broad fun then you will struggle to find anything better for the money than the 197bhp Renaultsport model.
With electric power steering as standard, all models are light and easy to drive around town, although the longer wheelbase and extra width mean the latest Clios are not quite as easy to thread through tight spots.
Rear visibility is good, with little overhang behind the rear screen. However, the car's thick B and C pillars can become a tad intrusive when you are parking, and the sloping front bonnet means it can be hard to judge exactly where the front bumper ends. But if you plan to use the Clio for longer jaunts, you'll benefit from improved refinement at motorway speeds and a much quieter cabin.
Packed with extra strengthening and intelligent front airbags that adjust their inflation depending on the severity of the impact, the latest Clio tips the scales at about 286lb more than its predecessor. But the extra weight has benefits in terms of safety. The Clio performs well in the Euro NCAP tests, scoring a maximum five stars for adult occupant safety and an impressive four stars for child occupant safety, making it one of the safest small cars on the road.The Renault Clio has matured, but then so have many of its owners, and for them the passage of time has made this French classic even more desirable.
Wheels Alloy wheels are standard on most models, and a full-size spare is stowed under the floor of the boot
Handling The extra weight of diesel cars means the petrol versions handle slightly better on the limit
Steering Electric power steering is speed sensitive but provides little feedback
Safety This includes up to eight airbags, with adaptive front airbags and seatbelt load limiter and pretensioners for the front seats
Locking Remote central locking with deadlock facility. Check the system works because some owners report faulty control units
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Renault Clio 2011by mecanicaonline63,246 views
i just brough a 2007 clio today :D, as my first car
123josh1994stuff 8 months ago
@123josh1994stuff I wish you many happy and safe miles =)
avtomobili001 8 months ago