It’s a tenuous link if ever there was one … but bear with us. The great Nigel Mansell famously raced the “red number 5”. His Formula 1 championship-winning Williams-Renault FW14B of 1992 was adorned with it, as was his IndyCar Championship winning Newman-Haas of 1993. Only for a few weeks in 1993 – before Alain Prost claimed the title – did one man (and one red number 5) hold both the F1 and IndyCar titles at the same time. You see where we’re going with this? The car you see before you is a fifth-generation Renault Clio. A “red number 5”, if you will.
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Yup, we said the link was tenuous. But from behind the steering wheel of the new Clio, there’s plenty to suggest that Renault wanted to build a pint-sized race car with the new Clio V. And don’t forget Renault’s claim not long ago that its production turbo engines were informed by Formula 1.
RENAULT CLIO V: IS IT SPORTY?
Straight off the bat, the Clio V’s chassis feels rigid, the suspension tight and firm (maybe too firm), the steering pin sharp and the tyres grippy. There’s a manual gearbox on cog-swapping duty and, surprisingly considering the laziness of drivers these days, there’s no two-pedal EDC transmission available at all in the range. Nope, Renault are clearly targeting the enthusiast, the keen driver, with the Clio V.
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Tenuous as it may sound but Renault’s 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder engine does indeed benefit from F1 knowhow. Like the way the turbocharger is integrated into the exhaust manifold to make it more compact, efficient and responsive. It makes use of an aluminium engine block, lifetime timing chain, variable oil pump, graphite pistons and a low friction/high swirl setup for the turbo so it can spin at 250 000 r/min. Better still, Renault says this latest engine tech will be more reliable, easier to service and reduce maintenance cost over time.
3-POT POWER AND TORQUE
Peak power is 74 kW at 5 000 r/min and torque is uprated to 160 Nm at 2 750 r/min. This power and torque increase isn’t just good for performance, but it makes it more usable and driveable in every day applications. The previous 900 cc Clio IV was efficient but suffered a lack of usable power – you needed to drive it harder than was ideal for a commuter car.
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Against the clock, Renault claims a zero to 100 km/h in 11.7 seconds for the Clio V, which isn’t exactly electrifying. Thankfully, we could beat that benchmark with a time of 10.37 seconds. We believe the acceleration time could have been quicker still if it weren’t for the auto hold function on the electronic handbrake which takes away some zip off the line. What’s wrong with a good ol’ fashioned manual handbrake? Next, the five-speed manual gearbox has tall gearing so we had to grab third gear before registering 100 km/h on the speedo, which robs a couple of split seconds against the clock. Top speed is a claimed 180 km/h.
HOW ECONOMICAL IS IT?
For a commuter car like a Renault Clio, more relevant than acceleration figures is fuel economy. Renault claims an impressive 5.7 l/100 km on the claimed/combined cycle, but we were able to best that on our fuel test route with a figure of 5.2 l/100 km. How did we pull it off? The key is in Renault’s clever Multi-Sense drivetrain management system which gives you Eco, Sport and Multi mode.
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Depending on the setting, the vehicle’s behaviour is hugely varied. In Sport mode the sound of the turbo spool is surprisingly audible. Under hard acceleration the surging torque delivery matches the sporty sound, but it’s far from efficient. We believe drivability of the engine is better in Eco mode, which backs off the throttle response and turbo boost somewhat for better linearity. Simply shift into a higher gear than you think is necessary to keep the revs low and ride the torque to a great fuel economy figure.
LOOKS GREAT, CRAMMED WITH KIT
It hides it deceptively beneath sheet metal that resembles the previous Clio’s, but the Clio V is actually quite a bit larger than before. When you approach it for the first time, it strikes you as more Megane sized than Clio. The beautifully folded, swooping lines that run the length of the bonnet, over the fenders, hide its size well. C-shaped LED Pure Vision daytime running lights at the front end and LED taillight arrangements give it genuine exterior appeal. Those hidden rear door handles really do make it look like a svelte two-door, too. The result is one great-looking car that’s more substantial than the model it replaces.
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European buyers demand loads of stuff in their cars nowadays and the Clio V delivers in spades. Along with build quality, this is arguably the biggest step forward the new Clio has made over its predecessor. The tablet-like infotainment system (leaned ever-so-slightly towards the driver) is an updated Media Nav arrangement and it features a 9.3-inch colour touchscreen of impeccable definition and usability. In previous Renaults the Media Nav interface was so lacklustre you barely engaged with it. Not so in this latest iteration.
There’s a 7-inch driver’s display of similar quality ahead of a top-notch leather-wrapped steering, which keeps you abridged of everything you need to know in the Clio. Fuel consumption, power and torque usage, how many green leaves you’ve grown on your Eco tree … the list of info it displays is endless. This system is supported with ambient lighting, so Eco mode is matched with a calming green effect, and Sport with racy red graphics.
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Refreshingly, despite all this kit, the dashboard remains plain and uncluttered, as all the interfacing happens on the central screen. Cabin ambiance is luxurious, stylish, a far cry from older Clios. This is a genuinely premium product now. The headliner and seats are finished in high-quality weave fabric that insulates the cabin brilliantly from noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
In keeping with the Clio V’s premium positioning, there is a tremendous array of standard specification on our Intens test unit. Satellite navigation, auto high-beam LED headlights, cruise control, lane-departure warning, two USB ports, climate control, wireless charging, reverse camera, keyless keycard, premium sound system means you want for nothing in the new Clio.
RENAULT CLIO V: TEST SUMMARY
Who could blame you for struggling to love Renault lately? The Megane is majestic but only available as a raucous RS model. The Koleos is a lot of car for the money, but errs on the bland side of life. The Kiger and Triber lack that Gallic sparkle synonymous with the brand. However, just when it seemed Renault might have misplaced its mojo for building good mass-produced cars, the Renault Clio V readdresses the balance empathically.
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The Clio V Intens has all the ingredients for a great family hatchback that offers a lot more than even its already-ample spec list suggests. It retails for R367 999 and in a like-for-like comparison you’ll find it to be a superb value-for-money proposition versus what’s already out there. Best of all, get one in Flame Red like we did and you have a bonafide “red number 5.”
THE FIGURES
- Best for: Sporty chassis, pointy steering, improved build quality, excellent fuel economy.
- Not so sure: Turbo power delivery lack linearity.
- Engine: 999 cc 3-cyl turbo petrol
- Power: 74 kW, 160 Nm
- Performance: 10,37 sec 0-100 km/h (tested) 11.7 sec (claimed)
- Gearbox: 5-speed manual
- Economy: 5.25 l/100 km (tested), 5.7 l/100 km (claimed/combined)
- Tyres: Bridgestone Turanza 205/45/R17
- Braking: 100 km/h – 0 in 3,05 sec (tested)
- dB measurement: 88.6 ave
- Price: R367 999
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