Renault CLIO VAN RANGE
By Neil Hopkins
Were not too sure whether Renaults advertising slogan Createurs dautomobiles is an attempt at trans-channel humour or not. We like to think that the fact
Renault produce cars hadnt quite slipped through our net Fortunately, the Clio van travels better than the advertising managers.
Renaults Clio van isnt the vehicle that got Nicole gasping "Oh Papa" she preferred the airy passenger version, but had she been a business woman rather than an international piece of telly totty, she probably would have given Papa an enquiring look or two from the driving
seat. Whether she would like the current generation Clio is an interesting question the family face is more obviously sculpted than before with wide surprised headlights. Still, when one hoves up in your rear view, youll have no doubt as to what it is. The Clio van builds directly from this base and is one of the most popular choices in this sector.
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"As the adverts claim, size does indeed matter, and the Clio has it in abundance."
It wasnt that long ago that buying a van of this size would have reduced you to cheap interiors, uncomfortable seats and about all the refinement of an ox with bronchitis. Thankfully, the Clio van is somewhat different and provides an experience not too far removed from that of the passenger cars. The seats are reasonably comfortable and covered in a hard-wearing material that should resist even the most virulent coffee drinkers. As with the passenger version, theres a fingertip radio cassette to keep you entertained, remote central locking, power steering and height adjustable steering wheel on the standard script.
Safety has also been a major consideration and the van features side impact bars, drivers airbag, a one-third height security bulkhead, engine immobiliser, security etched windows and the
Renault Anti Intruder Device (reassuringly called RAID). Recently included standard features include the ubiquitous passenger airbag, electric front windows, ABS and double optic headlamps, all of which make for the much-improved current Clio which entered production at the beginning of August 2001. Of more importance to most customers however will be the actual load lugging capabilities of the little Clio. Ideal for urban transportation, the Clio can carry up to 550kg of goodies in 0.
95 m3 of load space. While this may not sound a whole heap of beans, it is worth pointing out that this capacity puts the Punto in its place, draws level with the boxy VW Caddy and comes only slightly under the larger
Vauxhall Astravan therefore beating many direct competitors and even some from the next segment up. The load bed is protected against most major calamities by a hardwearing cover and features restraining hooks to secure your payload as you weave around the streets. For such a small vehicle, the load bay is a reassuring 1,341mm long with a respectable 1348mm between the arches.
While youll never carry a chest of drawers or mattress in the back, this capacity is more than enough for many urban applications. As the adverts claim, size does indeed matter, and the Clio has it in abundance. Under the bonnet lies the 1.5dCI engine.
Just one version of the 1.5dCI is available (passenger customers have 2 choices) a 65bhp delivering an astounding 65.7mpg while throwing out just 115g CO2/km plenty to give you your Va Va Voom back..
. Relatively generous service intervals of 10,000 miles keep the running costs to a pretty acceptable level. One problem with urban motoring is the likelihood of dents, dings, prangs and paint scrapes. While the Clio cant actually fend off oncomers with a big stick, it can deform gently to absorb minor frontal impacts and the dents can then be easily popped out by hand.
For the rest of the car, wide rubbing strips and chunky bumpers complete the protection package so should you bump into a wall or lamppost, the damage wont be too difficult to rectify. The driving experience isnt likely to set the Damon Hills amongst you begging for more, but that isnt why youd buy a vehicle like this anyway. Easily fast enough to keep up with the motorway traffic, comfortable enough to take long haul journeys in its stride and economical enough not to blow your budgets out of the heated rear window, the Clio does everything that you could ask of it. Once youve decided on a cute Clio, Renault have a raft of financing deals which your dealer would be more than happy to put you on.
Hire purchase, contract hire and lease its all there for the picking. Best to ask your local commercial specialist for the current rates. Every new Clio van is supplied with a 3-year/60,000 mile warranty covering every major component for total peace of mind. Should you want to look at the direct competition, then the focus falls on the
Fiat Punto (smaller load capacity and more expensive), Vauxhall Corsavan (potentially pricier and with a substantially smaller payload) and the
Ford Fiesta, which also costs more for less.
Of course, you could look at the more boxy hi-cube vans of this world, but they are considerably larger than the Supermini Clio So, the Createur dautomobiles has produced something that makes a great deal of sense in every arena. If you are looking for something small and car derived, then you cant go too far wrong with a Renault Clio van.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
VAN: Renault Clio
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 65.7mpg EMISSIONS: 115g CO2/km WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE? Length/Width/Height 3773/1385/1286mm
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