Renault Clio III 1.5dCi Range
Sometimes choosing a diesel car comes down to simple arithmetic. You work out how much more the diesel option is over the equivalent petrol car, calculate how many miles youre likely to drive the car in your ownership period and then figure out if the diesel premium is worth it. That presupposes two things. Firstly, that the petrol and diesel models are equally attractive to drive and secondly, that the manufacturer has been helpful enough to make direct comparisons possible.
With their Clio III, Renault have been agreeably transparent and the cost to the customer is around £1,000.
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In Extreme trim, the 75bhp 1.2-litre petrol three-door Clio costs £9,025. Choose the 68bhp 1.5dCi diesel engine and youll need to fork out £10,025.
But how many miles would you need to drive before the diesel car paid for itself? If you drive 10,000 miles per year and keep the car for three years, its not even close. Taking into account the cars fuel consumption and the difference in price between petrol and diesel fuels, the 1.5dCi version will save you £486 in fuel over that three year ownership period. In other words, youll need to keep the car for twice as long as that to see a saving solely as a result of fuel bills.
"With three variations on the 1.5dCi diesel theme, Renault are hoping to cover their bases in a cost-effective manner"
There are other attractions that swing the balance back towards the diesels. Theres not too much difference in residual values so we can leave that one alone. Company car user choosers will prefer the diesels for the benefit-in-kind saving theyll make but private buyers will often prefer them for their sheer ease of use. Lets look at the entry level cars again.
The 1.2-litre petrol manages to generate 77lb/ft of torque whereas the starter diesel is vastly superior at 118lb/ft. This means that in typical urban/suburban driving, the diesel car pulls away more cleanly, feeling stronger and sprightlier off the mark. Itll also have an easier time merging with faster traffic on main roads.
Then youve got the added convenience of a much bigger range to factor in. If I could cut my petrol station visits by a third, Id probably also cut my consumption of crisps, fizzy drinks and chocolate bars by a corresponding amount! Renault bring three versions of the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine to the Clio III. First up is that 68bhp entry level model, available in Extreme and Expression trims.
The middle child is an 86bhp version of that unit that sees action in Expression, Dynamique, Privilege and sporty Dynamique S trims. The range-topping 106bhp powerplant is reserved for Dynamique S, Dynamique SX, Privilege and Initiale variants, with prices topping out at £15,710 for a five-door Initiale fitted with a six-speed gearbox. More representative, for UK buyers at least, will be a solid mid-range like the three-door Expression dCi 86, priced at £11,340. These prices look competitive compared with rivals and although they are a little higher, model for model, compared with the old Clio, its worth remembering that not only are you benefiting from another 6bhp in power output (80 versus 86bhp) but the cars increased safety and security means that its in a lower insurance group than the old car.
Over a typical three year ownership period, this will make it cheaper to run. Lets take a look at a few of those standout safety functions in a little more detail. The Clio III has excellent neutral weight distribution and some serious brakes to prevent an accident happening in the first instance. It is delivered as standard with Generation 8 Bosch ABS plus electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA).
Other options include electronic stability programme (ESP) incorporating ASR traction control, understeer control and MSR engine torque overrun regulation. Along with the Modus, the Clio III was the first car in its segment to offer additional beam cornering headlamps, while double distance xenon headlamps are also available for enhanced night visibility. The Clio III's structure includes a number of programmed deformation zones and has been designed to function with Renault's third-generation System for Restraint and Protection. This includes up to eight airbags, incorporating two adaptive front airbags complete with load limiter and double pretensioners for the front seats. If you must crash, at least have the foresight to do it in a Clio III. Comfortably bigger than the outgoing model, Renault have now been able to take a leaf out of General Motors book and allow the utility models (like the Modus) to concentrate on family duties, freeing the Clio up as Vauxhall has done with its Astra to be a bit sassier than before.
Therefore the lines are sharper and sleeker than the rather bulbous previous two generations and theres greater production emphasis on the sportier three-door model, a car which is expected to account for over 75 per cent of UK sales. The Renault Clio III offers a more sensible and cerebral package than its predecessor, ruthlessly targeting the key supermini buying criteria. Thats why the diesel models will prove so popular. It remains a car that youll buy with your head rather than your heart but on any objective basis, the latest Clio diesels more than measure up.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Renault Clio III 1.5dCi range
PRICES: £10,025-£15,710- on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 3E-6E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 115-123g/km
PERFORMANCE: [dCi106] Max Speed 118mph / 0-60mph 11.1s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [dCi86] (Combined) 64.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front/side airbags, ABS, brakeforce distribution, ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: [3dr] Length/Height: 3986/1462mm
