Renault CLIO 1.5 dCi 65
The
Renault Clios Entry-Level Turbodiesel Might Convince Diesel Doubters, Thinks Jonathan Crouch
These days, no supermini model line-up is complete without a strong diesel version. When the current generation Renault Clio was originally launched however, this was one of the few factors missing from the mix.
Yes, there was a diesel - but it was an old 65bhp normally aspirated 1.9-litre unit borrowed from the previous generation Clio line-up. Not a powerplant to get the pulses racing. The introduction of a more up-to-date 80bhp 1.
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9-litre dTi turbodiesel was an attempt to put things right, but it was so expensive that the old 1.9D unit had to soldier on at the foot of the range. Since the introduction of the facelifted Clio line-up however,
Renault has made an effort to put things right. Three hi-tech common rail dCi diesel engines are being offered, one (the replacement for the dTi) developing 80bhp, a recently introduced 100bhp unit and one with a more sedate 65bhp.
Its the more affordable dCi 65 unit that were looking at here, bringing advantages that should be keenly felt by those who ran a noisy, poorly performing Clio 1.9D in the past. Most customers will buy this unit in Authentique trim, where prices start from £8,775 (or £9,375 with five doors) or in Expression guise (priced from £9,350). Curiously however, its also offered in sporty three-door only Dynamique form (for £10,000), which seems rather out of keeping with an engine that takes 15.
0s to get from rest to sixty on the way to a maximum of just 100mph. To be fair, it feels a bit perkier than those figures suggest on the road, though its never the kind of engine you really ever want to push hard. Neck-snapping performance is not of course what this unit is all about (though if you want something a bit perkier, the dCi 100 unit manages 115mph and 10.6s).
More important are, of course, cost and environmental considerations. All the Clios dCi engines combine what Renault reckon are the lowest levels of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions: in the case of the dCi 65, that means 65.7mpg and 115g/km, figures that, curiously, are bettered by the more powerful dCi 80 version and almost matched by the dCi 100.
"Renault would like you to think of it as the diesel engine that performs like a petrol"
How has Renault been able to achieve this? By using latest generation hi-tech common rail diesel technology. Without going too deeply into the technicalities, this approach sees fuel squirted directly into the cylinders from a single pipe (the 'common rail') rather than through individual lines. This cleaner, quieter process means a more efficient use of fuel, which in turn leads to better performance and lower fuel consumption. Renault would like you to think of it as the diesel engine that performs like a petrol: certainly at speed, you probably wouldn't be able to tell what was under the bonnet. The Expression trim level entitles customers to a surprisingly decent tally of standard equipment. As well as the items you might expect (things like Pixis wheel trims, power steering, central locking and electric front windows), you also get twin front and side airbags and ABS with Brake Assist. Plus, you can expect to find niceties like electric heated door mirrors, a manual tilt/remove sunroof, a height-adjustable drivers
seat, three rear headrests, a 60/40 split rear seat, a pollen filter with air recirculation, a 60W hi-fi with six speakers, an outside temperature display, a front map reading light and a delayed courtesy light.
The latest models also feature Toucan upholstery and dash inserts. You may not instantly recognise the styling revisions on the latest Clio when its positioned alongside its predecessor but, take our word for it, they are there. The changes at the front amount to what Renault insist is a bolder, more sporty front bumper that incorporates revised fog-lamp housings on those models deemed posh enough to be equipped with fog lamps. The Dynamique model is one of the chosen few and it accentuates its sporty theme further with a body-coloured sports spoiler to bring up the rear.
Inside, the interior has been similarly warmed over with enhanced materials and extra equipment. The panels on the rear doors are now soft-feel, while the dashboard instruments now mimic the design found in the Megane for a more cutting-edge appearance. Most salient amongst the interior additions is probably the digital screen now mounted on the centre console to supply up-to-the-minute information on the Clios various systems. On the equipment front, the height adjustable drivers seat is now common across the range and there are rear electric windows on the higher spec models.
There are other minor improvements specific to certain trim levels too but, to keep things concise here, those are probably best discovered by means of the brochure. In true Renault style, safety gets its usual top billing. The previous Clio had already achieved a top four star rating in the EuroNCAP crash tests and builds on that with adaptive intelligent twin front and side airbags with two levels of inflation, depending upon the seating position of the driver and the severity of the impact. For the rear side seats, pretensioners are now combined with 600kg load limiters.
Finally, the latest Clio is equipped with Isofix three-point child safety seat attachments in the rear side seats and the front passenger seat (which is provided with airbag inhibition, should you wish your child to be placed alongside the driver). On the road, youre unlikely to conclude that this is a real drivers car. Still, the wide front track has enabled the latest Clio to use a quite sophisticated suspension system, first featured in the larger Megane. The result is an impressive quality of ride, though the springing - like the seats - is still soft enough for it to be obvious that you're in a French car. In summary then, the 1.9 dCi 65 is a useful addition to the Clio line-up. Though it isn't particularly fast, its very frugal, environmentally sound and offers good value for money. Which sums up much of what this car is about.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Renault Clio 1.5dCi 65
PRICES: £8,775-£10,600 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 5E CO2 EMISSIONS BANDS: 115g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 100mph / 0-60mph 15.0s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 52.3mpg/ (extra-urban) 76.3mpg/ (combined) 65.7mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS, Brake Assist WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Height [3dr] 3770/1640/1417mm
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