The new Clio is a (big) box of surprises – Observe



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The new Renault Clio, a model that enters the 5th generation, is a pleasant surprise and not so much on the outside, where it is considered an evolution – not a revolution – compared to the previous generation. Despite the use of a new platform (CMF-B), which allows it to be more rigid and transmit a greater sense of quality, in addition to being able to give rise to electrified versions, Renault s' is striving to attract new customers, to keep faithful those who were already fans of the French utility. In fact, this is the strategy traditionally adopted by sales managers and Renault, according to the second best-selling model in Europe and the first in Portugal.

Yet, the details that characterize the latest vehicles designed by Laurens van den Acker, stylist serving the brand Gallic, have always been introduced. Optical groups – 100% LED, even in the most affordable versions – have a C-shaped signature, generous size, while the case is slightly wider, but shorter and lower.

How is it inside?

If we see it from the outside, the Clio is not surprising, the same thing does not happen as soon as we board. The plastics are all flexible, on the dashboard, the door panels and the console, which allows Clio to easily compete with Megane and face the best (if not the best) segment. In addition, the A-Ply fabric lining, the upper bracket for mounting a shorter housing lever and sporty look, also make the difference, as the steering wheel, which becomes the least bulky center, which has aesthetically appealing result.

Sitting at the wheel, the position is good, the driver easily finds his ideal driving position, always with a perfect vision for the dashboard, a digital display with various graphics, all readable. The screen in the center of the dashboard is higher so you do not have to distract your attention from the road. In most versions (on the most accessible, there is another screen with only 7 ") is 9.3 inches and the tablet type in vertical position.But the touch screen does not prevent the presence of a series of shortcut keys, which facilitates its use.

The front seats are more comfortable and more enveloping, but are also thinner, which leaves more room for the legs of those sitting at the back and the available volume seems to have increased slightly compared to the previous generation . Width The luggage has grown more clearly, now claiming 391 liters (in addition to the 26 liters of space to store items in the cockpit) compared to the previous 330, and the diesel versions see the capacity slightly, because of the space needed to house the tank. AdBlue.

Which equipment offers the most?

This is one of the areas where the new Clio clearly surpasses its predecessor and even its competitors. In the cockpit, an induction phone charger enters simultaneously and the audio system developed by Bose is the first to be introduced into a vehicle. In addition to the standard speakers, the solution uses the first subwoofer placed vertically, so as not to limit the space in the suitcase, while using the fresh air technology, which uses the # 39; air ventilation (or displacement) to "feed" the subwoofer 80% volume and in another as much weight.

Through the central screen, the driver can access the new Easy Link multimedia system, which replaces the old R-Link. The novelty lies in the fact that it is always connected – the first 3 years with the Internet subscription supported by the manufacturer and from there by the owner, for a cost between 60 and 80 € per year – this which offers several advantages, starting with the updates. Over the Air, like the Tesla, but not including the engine, steering or brakes, because of the French fear of hackers. Incidentally, it is always thanks to these other friends that there is no wifi on board because it is one of the main access routes to hack the system.

The connectivity also allows the search system to be that of Google, which makes it much easier and faster to search for our destination in the navigation system, which is also subject to regular updates (twice a year) live.

And in terms of driving assistance?

This is where some of the biggest breakthroughs of Clio's new generation are concentrated, compared to the generation before the competition. Among the most common equipment, although not common in this segment, the Clio is equipped with a blind spot, a medium / maximum automatic switch, a lane departure warning and no with steering wheel correction and a 360 ° camera allowing the driver to see where the car stands during maneuvers.

The novelty is the inclusion of Adaptive Cruise Control, with the Stop & Go function, which, even on secondary roads or in the city, keeps the distance to the car, reducing or stopping when it stops and resuming the ride as soon as the previous vehicle on the move, still detecting pedestrians and cyclists (and catching them to avoid them). But the Clio can also complete this system with Lane Centering, which keeps the vehicle in the center of the road between 70 and 170 km / h, or standing in front of another car. Called Highway & Traffic Lam Companion, this is the first semi-autonomous (level 2) solution available in this segment. To park, Renault also offers Easy Park Assist, to park automatically in parallel, perpendicular or on the back without intervention.

How are you driving?

We started contact with the new generation of the new Renault with the version equipped with the gasoline engine 1.0 TCe 100, with 100 hp as the denomination indicates. This evolution of the previous unit, which provided 90 hp, has kept the three cylinders in line, but to develop more strength in all regimes, especially in low and medium revolutions, where this type of vehicle is most often used. The average fuel consumption has increased from 5.0 liters (from the previous generation with the TCe 90) to 4.4 liters, while the speed has increased (from 180 to 187 km / h) and the time required to pass from 0 to 100 km / hr drop (from 12.2 to 11.8 seconds).

The first kilometers in the Arrábida region have allowed us to confirm the improvement of the quality of the construction, especially with regard to the possibility of filtering the noise coming from the outside or from the mechanics . The behavior is always good, as is the behavior, although this version does not have a sporting orientation. At an indifferent pace, respecting speed limits, we connected Arrábida to Évora with an average of 5.2 liters / 100 km and with a 5-speed manual gearbox only.

In return, we used the Clio with the new 1.3 TCe 130 engine, a unit with 4 gas cylinders (85 dhp 1.5 dCi diesel and 115 hp will appear only later). In addition to the engine, this version had the RS Line trim level, with modifications on the outside and inside, which replaces the previous GT Line. Developed by Renault Sport, this level is designed to give a more sporty look to the model and should also later become a version Initiale Paris, which is significantly more luxurious.

Coupled with a 7-speed dual clutch EDC gearbox, the 130 hp delivers a very different dynamism from the model, as evidenced by the announcement of 200 km / h and 0-100 km / h in 9 seconds, announcing an average consumption of 5, 2 l. Once again, with a relaxed ride, the unit made available to us has proven able to run with averages below 6.2 liters.

How does the hybrid version work?

The Clio E-Tech Hybrid is the most awaited version of the French utility. Having not considered any electric version, exclusive to Zoe, and even currently no hybrid plug-in (which will nonetheless feature in Captur and Megane), the environmentally friendly Clio will be the hybrid. But Renault did not joke in service and tried to ratify the best hybrid in the market, which is far from easy, as Toyota is the first specialist in the sector and markets the Yaris hybrid in this segment.

The French manufacturer and unlike the many European competitors, generalists or not, has equipped the public service with a specific gasoline engine, that is to say that allows to spend little. He opted for an atmospheric unit (which, oddly enough, does not exempt it from the particulate filter specific to supercharged engines) of larger displacement, a Nissan of 1.6 origin, which was adapted by the French to run a second cycle atkinson, less powerful to extract energy, but much better to reduce consumption and emissions.

The gasoline engine is associated with an electric motor – there is a second electric unit, as we will see later – and together they provide just under 130 hp, a value greater than 100 hp Hybrid Yaris and even 122 hp. Toyota C-HR Hybrid Active. Renault says the mechanic, who will be available in early 2020, will be able to drive in the city only 80% of the time in electric mode, which reduces the consumption by 40% compared to a unit with only gasoline engine This seems to indicate a fuel consumption lower than 3.5 liters / 100 km, even lower than that announced by the small diesel engine of 1.5 dCi.

But the "thing" of this gasoline engine / electric motor is so effective, it is the gearbox, probably the most innovative aspect of this Clio, or if it was not the box most sophisticated market, especially among those aiming to reduce consumption. Instead of a box, it is practically two – but no clutch – a four-speed gasoline engine and another motor connected to two speeds. The seals guarantee a total of 15 gears, which the model management system joyfully changes to keep the engine at 1.6 rotations in the ideal operating regime. The second electric motor, which we have already mentioned, is extremely versatile because it acts as a starter, an alternator, but most importantly, it synchronizes the speed of the different shafts at the moment of shifting, so as not to scratch because it There is no clutch.

The two electric motors are powered by a battery of 1.2 kWh (the Yaris assembles one of 0.94 kWh and the C-HR of 1.31 kWh), which, according to the French brand, should be enough for Clio E -Tech Hybrid circulates up to 5 km in electric mode and this value must still be homologated.

When and how much?

The new Clio, already marketed in France, will arrive in Portugal in mid-September, but for the moment only with gasoline engines. However, it brings the full range, starting with the 65 and 75 hp 1.0 SCe atmospheres, with the main bet on the 1.0 TCe 100 and a lower percentage favoring the greater acceleration capability of the 1.3 TCe 130, in using the box. double clutch EDC7.

Later, but probably still in 2019, will be the 1.5 Blue dCi 85 and 115 hp, already equipped with a selective catalyst (SCR) and injection of AdBlue, always associated with the six-speed manual gearbox . The only electrified Clio will be offered in our country from the beginning of next year, and its value depends on the announced CO2 emissions, in the hope of a value of about 80 grams. The guarantees are typical State aid for this class of vehicles.

The Clio should be offered here with the usual designations for equipment levels, with prices starting at € 15,000, as is currently the case, as the highly competitive segment does not support strong rises. of price. The increases will come from the "supplements" that the driver needs, especially with regard to driving aids, which are necessarily expensive, but always more accessible than usual because it is a B-segment vehicle. Portugal in September, Renault will offer a special series called One, based on the RS Line 130 hp, of which only 50 copies will be manufactured.

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