Renault Australia has today launched the highly anticipated fourth generation of the Clio – one of Renault’s best-known and highest-selling nameplates globally. The new Clio is the first production model to be developed from the ground-up by Renault’s Senior Vice President Corporate Design, Laurens van den Acker, and demonstrates the contemporary face of the marque through Renault’s new brand identity.
The new Clio exudes warmth, simplicity and sensuality through an instantly appealing design. Smooth-flowing and free from hard edges, new Clio’s design was inspired by the DeZir concept car – a car that symbolised Love – and this inspiration has been carried through all elements of the vehicle, including the signature launch colour, Flame Red.
The striking appeal of the new Clio is further enhanced by an affordable personalisation program that is unprecedented for this section of the light car market.
Depending on the specification level, this personalisation program enables a customer to choose their wheels, exterior colour accents, interior colour accents and even the colour of their dashboard cowling from several thousand combinations to ensure their Clio demonstrates their personal style and expresses their individuality.
Through standard equipment such as height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel, height-adjustable driver’s seat and cruise control with speed limiter, the new Clio delivers a high standard of comfort and enjoyment-enhancing features across the range.
The new Renault Clio also debuts two in-car entertainment platforms – Renault’s MEDIA NAV and R-Link. Both systems use an 18 cm touchscreen tablet display and enable satellite navigation, radio, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free telephony or music audio streaming, as well as USB and 3.5mm connectors.
To ensure excellent acoustics inside the car and avoid distortion at high volumes, the speakers in the front doors of new Clio feature as standard a world premiere in the form of Bass Reflex technology. Thanks to an additional cone, this technology allows the equivalent volume and listening enjoyment of a 30-litre speaker.
New Clio is characterised by exceptional road holding and dynamic natural-feeling handling. This is assisted by more direct and precise steering thanks to the linkages between the front suspension and the stiffer engine sub-frame.
The new Clio range debuts Renault’s new Energy Engine range in Australia with the introduction of two new engines – TCe 90 and TCe 120. Developed using Renault’s Formula 1 downsizing proficiency, both engines deliver exceptional hybrid-challenging fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures while ensuring a sprightly driving experience. To further improve fuel-efficiency, the new Clio also comes standard with low-rolling resistance tyres and active vents ahead of the radiator that remain closed as long as the water temperature is sufficiently low to cool the engine.
From launch, the new Clio will be available with two gearboxes. The TCe 90 engine is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission while the TCe 120 is fitted with a 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic gearbox made by Getrag.
New Clio features standard active safety equipment such as ESC, ASR, emergency brake assist and Hill Start Assist. Achieving highest scores in its segment for three of the four criteria, new Clio secured five stars in the EuroNCAP crash tests and was awarded Best Supermini of 2012.
Available in three generous specification levels – Authentique, Expression and Dynamique – and starting with a recommended retail price of just $16,790, the new Renault Clio is set to shake-up the light car segment in Australia.
Commenting on the launch of the new Clio, Justin Hocevar, Managing Director Renault Australia, said; “This is without a doubt the most exciting product launch I have had the privilege of being involved with. The new Renault Clio is a brilliant light car and through a high level of standard equipment, fantastic new engines and exceptional handling I’m confident the new Clio will appeal to Australian new car buyers.
“Renault is renowned for its expertise in small hatches and the new Clio embodies the best of the Renault brand. We have a fantastic value proposition in terms of a beautifully designed vehicle with high levels of personalisation, at an extremely competitive price. Supported by our rapidly growing dealer network, capped price servicing and best in class warranty, this all equates to the new benchmark light European hatch in the Australian market.
“We have already seen strong demand for the new Clio on looks alone and I’m confident that when customers experience the car they will find it exceeds their expectations.”
The new Clio has a 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty and is eligible for Renault’s Capped Price Servicing program of just $299 per calendar year for the first three years. It will go on sale nationally on September 11th, 2013.
