Renault refreshes Clio light hatch

RENAULT has refreshed its Clio hatchback for the second time in the space of a year, updating variant nomenclature, while also revising spec levels and reducing the point of entry to $15,990 before on-road costs (BOC).

The Clio range now consists of four spec levels – Life, Zen, Intens and GT-Line, which reflects the new Megane and Koleos line-ups – while the hot RS variant will join the range in the coming months.

Opening the range is the Life, now the only variant to be offered with a five-speed manual gearbox as well as Renault’s six-speed Efficient Dual-Clutch (EDC) automatic transmission.

The manual comes mated to a 0.9-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes an unchanged 66kW/135Nm, while the rest of the range pairs the EDC to a 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit capable of 88kW/190Nm.

Price of entry for the Clio range has been reduced to $15,990 for the manual Life, down from $18,000 in the outgoing Authentique, while opting for the EDC costs $17,990. Alternatively, the Life is being offered for a driveaway price of $2000 above its recommended retail price.

Changes to the exterior of the Life include new 16-inch wheels, body coloured door mirrors and handles, and chrome boot lid strip, door sill insert and radiator grille trim.

Inside, the most affordable Clio adds hands-free entry, push button start, automatic dusk-sensing headlights, automatic rain-sensing wipers, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, Eco mode, electric windows all round and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The next variant in the line-up, the Zen, gains C-shaped LED headlights as seen on the new Megane and Koleos, as well as 16-inch Pulsize alloy wheels, front foglights with chrome surrounds, front parking sensors, sat-nav with voice control, and gloss black-finished lower bumper trim, side door protection and B-pillar.

Pricing for the Zen is set at $19,900 with Renault not currently offering any driveaway deals.

Moving up another tier to the Intens, priced at $22,990, nets buyers 17-inch Optemic two-tone alloy wheels, chrome window trim, side parking sensors, hands-free parking, driver’s armrest, LED cabin lights, Arkamys sound system, R-Link navigation and multimedia system with voice control, height-adjustable passenger seat, velvet and artificial leather upholstery, climate control, and rear privacy glass.

Intens buyers also have a choice between flame red or ivory coloured exterior door sill inserts, front grille highlights and boot lid, while inside, the dashboard, door panels and seat highlights can be optioned in either red or grey.

The GT-Line variant, also $22,990, adds 17-inch Serdar alloy wheels, Renault Sport-inspired blue highlights for the upholstery, aluminium sport pedals, GT-Line badging, Renault Sport rear spoiler, leather handbrake handle, and satin grey trim for the door mirrors and front and rear bumper inserts.

A panoramic sunroof is available for $1000 on all non-Life variants, while Intens and GT-Line versions can be had a Bose sound system for an additional $500. Clio GT-Lines can also be equipped with leather trim and heated front seats for another $1500.

The hotter Clio RS is expected to arrive in the coming months, and will retain its 147kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder powertrain mated to a six-speed EDC.

Renault has sold 449 examples of the Clio in the first quarter of 2017, up 15.1 per cent on the 390 sales it managed over the same period last year.

2017 Renault Clio pricing*

Life	$15,990
Life (a)	$17,990
Zen (a)	$19,990
Intens (a)	$22,990
GT-Line (a)	$22,990

*Excludes on-road costs