Auto news; Renault takes wraps off sporty new Clio
Auto news; Renault takes wraps off sporty new Clio All new Clio's get Renault’s latest nose, while silver cabin trim and grille extensions set the GT apart.
Feast your eyes on the new Clio – as Renault’s supermini now comes with extra va-va-voom…
These official pictures reveal the revamped model not only sports the firm’s latest family face – already showcased on the Mégane and Laguna – it now comes in GT guise, too.
Set to hit showrooms in May, the car features a lowered main radiator grille, which now sits below the bumper.
The arrival of the GT should help bridge the gap between the Renaultsport hot hatches and the more sensible models in the line-up.
While the Clio outsells the next most popular Renault by two to one in the UK, last year registrations fell by more than one-third compared to 2007.
Engine details have yet to be announced, but the range is expected to follow the current line-up, with 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel units accounting for the majority of sales. Only lower-powered diesels fall into the £35-a-year road tax bracket at the moment, but that could change with the new model.
Under the bonnet of the GT, buyers should get a choice of the 138bhp 2.0-litre petrol or the maker’s highest-powered 1.5-litre diesel. In addition, its suspension will be stiffer and lower than the regular Clio’s, while extensions to the sills and lower grille, plus twin exhausts, hint at its performance intent. Inside are sporty seats and drilled aluminium pedal covers.
Every car in the range will get the option of cut-price built-in sat-nav. Renault has teamed up with TomTom to ensure the factory-fitted kit won’t break the bank – bosses promise it will be “well below £500â€.
New interior trims will be offered, but any owners of the current car looking to swap will be hoping Renault has cured the misting problem reported by many Clio III drivers.
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