Renault Clio 2009
The 2009 Geneva Motor Show sees Renault take the wraps off the latest hatchback and estate versions of the best-selling Renault Clio. New Renault Clio's styling, comfort, versatility, safety credentials and equipment, which form a package worthy of that of models from the next segment up, are sure to appeal to a large, loyal customer base worldwide. At the same time, its extremely rigorous build quality makes it one of the most reliable cars of its class.
The 2009 Geneva Motor Show sees Renault take the wraps off the latest hatchback and estate versions of the best-selling Renault Clio. New Renault Clio's styling, comfort, versatility, safety credentials and equipment, which form a package worthy of that of models from the next segment up, are sure to appeal to a large, loyal customer base worldwide. At the same time, its extremely rigorous build quality makes it one of the most reliable cars of its class.
A compact hatchback with clear family ties with New Renault Mégane
New Renault Clio GT, a more purposeful personality
Styling: New Renault Clio GT can be recognized by its exclusive Malta Blue body colour and expressive, racy lines. It sits squarely on its 16-inch "Dark Anthracite" aluminium alloy wheels, while its more assertive front end features a gloss black grille and distinctive black headlamp masks. The lines of the sills point to the performance of the GT version's specific suspension. Meanwhile, the twin exhaust tailpipes and rear lip spoiler underline New Renault Clio GT's undeniable sports tourer looks. Inside, eye-catching sporty details include drilled aluminium pedal covers and extra side support for the seats, as seen on New Clio Renault Sport, plus GT-badging for the front seats.
Suspension: Renault Sport Technologies' engineers have paid special attention to ensure that New Renault Clio GT's chassis combines first class dynamic ability with a comfortable ride.
Powertrains: the GT version is available with a choice of three engines (depending on market): the 1.6 16V 128 (exclusive to New Renault Clio GT), the 2.0 16V 140 and the dCi 105. They all drive through the TL4 six-speed gearbox.
Carminat TomTom: the first updatable, integrated GPS navigation system for less than €500
New Renault Clio's interior styling: perceived quality and user friendly
New Renault Clio's interior styling was guided by a desire to provide a sense of well-being and perceived quality. The dashboard is available with a soft-touch finish and incorporates clear, easy-toread instruments, while the fully-integrated screen of the Carminat TomTomsatnav system is positioned at the top of the centre console. New Renault Clio is a car in which drivers feel immediately at home. The practical controls have been made even more user-friendly, including the short steering wheel-mounted stalks. The switch for the cruise control and speed limiter has been moved to the centre console, alongside the parking brake, and the dashboard display permits drivers to check whether the cruise control/speed limiter is activated or not.
Grand tourer quality acoustic performance
New Renault Clio claims soundproofing performance from the next segment up. Its architecture has been carefully engineered to filter out engine and transmission-generated noise, as well as road noise. Care has also been taken with the sound damping between the cabin and the engine, while wind noise has been reduced thanks notably to the use of inflatable inserts in the structure's hollow sections.
Efficient suspension performance for a comfortable, reassuring ride
The New Renault Clio family delivers a carefully-honed balance between rigorous, comfortable and safe handling. The suspension has been developed to meet the expectations of the customers of the different versions (Hatchback, GT, Estate). The suspension of New Renault Clio Hatchback is identical to that of Clio III and provides a high standard of efficient, comfortable roadholding. Compared with the hatchback version, New Renault Clio Estate is equipped with a bigger-diameter rear anti-roll bar (21mm) for enhanced control of body roll. Its dampers and suspension travel have also been adapted to match the estate version's heavier weight and extra carrying capacity.
Responsive, environmentally-friendly engines
The range of engines and transmissions has been carefully selected to bring out the best in New Renault Clio's dynamic performance. These powertrains are respectful of the environment, too, thanks notably to:
* a choice of dCi engines, two of which emit less than 120g of CO2/km (e.g. the dCi 85: 117g of CO2/km) and the availability of a particulate filter for a certain number of them,
* the TCe 100, which boasts the lowest CO2 emissions of any 100hp petrol engine,
* a 1.2 16V engine capable of running on alternative fuels, namely an E85 bioethanolcompatible version and an LPG version.
A raft of equipment from the next segment up
The New Renault Clio range includes a long list of equipment from the next segment up aimed at either facilitating driving or enhancing travelling comfort. New Renault Clio is the only B-segment model that can be ordered with a hands-free card. To unlock the car, the driver only has to put a hand near one of the door handles, or else activate the boot opening mechanism. The doors automatically lock at the push of a button situated on the driver's door. A remote lighting function enables owners to locate their vehicle at a distance thanks a bespoke button on the card which activates the lights. For hands-free starting, the card doesn't need to be inserted into a slot; its mere presence inside the cabin suffices thanks to special antennae.
The new Renault Clio comes with the new 80W RadioSat Classic audio system which includes six loudspeakers, an MP3-compatbile CD player, the display of MP3 file names and an RCA socket situated in front of the gear lever.
The Bluetooth function permits hands-free use of the telephone using the vehicle's own loudspeakers for enhanced safety. The system automatically detects the telephone when the driver starts the car, while Renault's exclusive 'hold' function puts callers on hold until the driver is in a position to answer safely. Incoming and outgoing calls automatically mute the radio and the telephone's functions are controlled via the steering wheel-mounted controls in conjunction with the dashboard display or Carminat TomTom screen.
The Bluetooth function also incorporates audio streaming, in other words the wireless transmission via the vehicle's own loudspeakers of personal playlists stored on A2DPcompatible portable players.
Other equipment
For enhanced comfort and safety, New Renault Clio is equipped with the follow equipment :
* cruise control with speed limiter,
* additional cornering lights
* rear parking proximity sensor,
* a combined rain/light sensor which automatically switches on the headlamps and/or activates the windscreen wipers at the ideal wipe-speed.
Safety: a priority for Renault, and a self-evidence for New Renault Clio
The New Renault Clio family benefits from Renault's extensive expertise when it comes to active and passive safety.
The combination of New Renault Clio's suspension and a range of driver aids (ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist, ESC, traction control, engine torque overrun regulation) ensures an outstanding level of active safety.
New Renault Clio GT, a more purposeful personality
Styling: New Renault Clio GT can be recognized by its exclusive Malta Blue body colour and expressive, racy lines. It sits squarely on its 16-inch "Dark Anthracite" aluminium alloy wheels, while its more assertive front end features a gloss black grille and distinctive black headlamp masks. The lines of the sills point to the performance of the GT version's specific suspension. Meanwhile, the twin exhaust tailpipes and rear lip spoiler underline New Renault Clio GT's undeniable sports tourer looks. Inside, eye-catching sporty details include drilled aluminium pedal covers and extra side support for the seats, as seen on New Clio Renault Sport, plus GT-badging for the front seats.
Suspension: Renault Sport Technologies' engineers have paid special attention to ensure that New Renault Clio GT's chassis combines first class dynamic ability with a comfortable ride.
Powertrains: the GT version is available with a choice of three engines (depending on market): the 1.6 16V 128 (exclusive to New Renault Clio GT), the 2.0 16V 140 and the dCi 105. They all drive through the TL4 six-speed gearbox.
Carminat TomTom: the first updatable, integrated GPS navigation system for less than €500
New Renault Clio's interior styling: perceived quality and user friendly
New Renault Clio's interior styling was guided by a desire to provide a sense of well-being and perceived quality. The dashboard is available with a soft-touch finish and incorporates clear, easy-toread instruments, while the fully-integrated screen of the Carminat TomTomsatnav system is positioned at the top of the centre console. New Renault Clio is a car in which drivers feel immediately at home. The practical controls have been made even more user-friendly, including the short steering wheel-mounted stalks. The switch for the cruise control and speed limiter has been moved to the centre console, alongside the parking brake, and the dashboard display permits drivers to check whether the cruise control/speed limiter is activated or not.
Grand tourer quality acoustic performanceNew Renault Clio claims soundproofing performance from the next segment up. Its architecture has been carefully engineered to filter out engine and transmission-generated noise, as well as road noise. Care has also been taken with the sound damping between the cabin and the engine, while wind noise has been reduced thanks notably to the use of inflatable inserts in the structure's hollow sections.
Efficient suspension performance for a comfortable, reassuring ride
The New Renault Clio family delivers a carefully-honed balance between rigorous, comfortable and safe handling. The suspension has been developed to meet the expectations of the customers of the different versions (Hatchback, GT, Estate). The suspension of New Renault Clio Hatchback is identical to that of Clio III and provides a high standard of efficient, comfortable roadholding. Compared with the hatchback version, New Renault Clio Estate is equipped with a bigger-diameter rear anti-roll bar (21mm) for enhanced control of body roll. Its dampers and suspension travel have also been adapted to match the estate version's heavier weight and extra carrying capacity.
Responsive, environmentally-friendly enginesThe range of engines and transmissions has been carefully selected to bring out the best in New Renault Clio's dynamic performance. These powertrains are respectful of the environment, too, thanks notably to:
* a choice of dCi engines, two of which emit less than 120g of CO2/km (e.g. the dCi 85: 117g of CO2/km) and the availability of a particulate filter for a certain number of them,
* the TCe 100, which boasts the lowest CO2 emissions of any 100hp petrol engine,
* a 1.2 16V engine capable of running on alternative fuels, namely an E85 bioethanolcompatible version and an LPG version.
A raft of equipment from the next segment up
The New Renault Clio range includes a long list of equipment from the next segment up aimed at either facilitating driving or enhancing travelling comfort. New Renault Clio is the only B-segment model that can be ordered with a hands-free card. To unlock the car, the driver only has to put a hand near one of the door handles, or else activate the boot opening mechanism. The doors automatically lock at the push of a button situated on the driver's door. A remote lighting function enables owners to locate their vehicle at a distance thanks a bespoke button on the card which activates the lights. For hands-free starting, the card doesn't need to be inserted into a slot; its mere presence inside the cabin suffices thanks to special antennae.
The new Renault Clio comes with the new 80W RadioSat Classic audio system which includes six loudspeakers, an MP3-compatbile CD player, the display of MP3 file names and an RCA socket situated in front of the gear lever.The Bluetooth function permits hands-free use of the telephone using the vehicle's own loudspeakers for enhanced safety. The system automatically detects the telephone when the driver starts the car, while Renault's exclusive 'hold' function puts callers on hold until the driver is in a position to answer safely. Incoming and outgoing calls automatically mute the radio and the telephone's functions are controlled via the steering wheel-mounted controls in conjunction with the dashboard display or Carminat TomTom screen.
The Bluetooth function also incorporates audio streaming, in other words the wireless transmission via the vehicle's own loudspeakers of personal playlists stored on A2DPcompatible portable players.
Other equipmentFor enhanced comfort and safety, New Renault Clio is equipped with the follow equipment :
* cruise control with speed limiter,
* additional cornering lights
* rear parking proximity sensor,
* a combined rain/light sensor which automatically switches on the headlamps and/or activates the windscreen wipers at the ideal wipe-speed.
Safety: a priority for Renault, and a self-evidence for New Renault Clio
The New Renault Clio family benefits from Renault's extensive expertise when it comes to active and passive safety.
The combination of New Renault Clio's suspension and a range of driver aids (ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist, ESC, traction control, engine torque overrun regulation) ensures an outstanding level of active safety.
