Thursday 17 January 2019

Renault Clio still has what it takes to thrive in supermini battle

The battle of the superminis has always been an intense one and perhaps one of the upshots of that is that manufacturers have strived to excel every step of the way.

In a segment where the Clio is up against the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza and Skoda Fabia it needs to be good just to survive, never mind thrive.
In truth, over its lengthy lifespan, the Renault Clio has managed to do both.
Superminis might be less fashionable than SUVs but it’s hard to imaginative an automotive world without them.
Here are cars which offer value-for-money motoring in a package that can even get away with being a family car if push comes to shove.

The latest Clio from Group 1 Renault upholds a worthy tradition and has plenty to recommend it.
For starters it looks sleek and snazzy, boasting design lines that ooze hot hatch and even elements of coupe styling.
That in part is achieved through the disguised rear door handles, which give it the look of a three-door.
Renault has even dispensed with a three-door version this time round.
The 17-inch GT alloy wheels also enhanced the sporty looks of this particular GT-Line model, as did a rear diffuser and chrome exhaust.
Step inside and the Clio has a warm cosseting kind of feel but also has a surprisingly spacious cabin.
You feel pretty low down and interestingly the current version sits a whole 45mm closer to the ground than its predecessor.
Rear seat passengers are particularly well catered for and there is a generously-sized 300-litre boot.
The instrumentation and switchgear generally are modern and decent in quality.
The dominating feature is a seven-inch tablet-style touchscreen which helps keep the button and switch count to a minimum.
Trim-wise buyers can choose from Play, Iconic and GT-Line.
Equipment levels are good across the range but this GT-Line felt noticeably plush for a supermini.
The interior had quite a dark look and feel - with black cloth upholstery and a black soft touch dashboard - but the combination actually worked rather well.
The Renault Clio standard features include cruise control and speed limiter, hill start assist, full LED front and rear headlamps, automatic locking, automatic headlights and front wipers and a MediaNav multimedia system with sat-nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth and handsfree technology.
On the engine front there’s a choice between 75bhp and 90bhp three-cylinder TCe petrols and a 1.5-litre dCi diesel.
This car had the higher-powered 898cc petrol unit.
Like most of the modern crop of small but relatively potent petrol engines it punches well above its weight, even if it does have to be worked hard to get the most out of it.
I found overall that it made for an enjoyable enough driving experience and when you throw in the Clio’s agile handling its makes for a combination that delivers just enough of the fun factor too.

FAST FACTS

Renault Clio GT-Line TCe 90
Mechanical: 90bhp, 898cc, 3-cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 110mph
0-62mph: 12.1 seconds
Combined mpg: 56.5
CO2 emissions: 114g/km


Article source: https://wheelwonderings.postach.io/post/renault-clio-still-has-what-it-takes-to-thrive-in-supermini-battle

5 REASONS THE NEW KWID BEATS THE COMPETITION

The Renault KWID has just landed in South Africa and in many instances has elbowed its way to the front of the compact queue.



Here are five compelling reasons to get behind the wheel of the new Renault KWID:
  • Free Insurance (for a year)
First time buyers and those who are on a tight budget, free insurance for a year can provide much needed breathing space when taking on a big investment, such as buying a new car. A conservative insurance premium for around R500/month equates to a R6000 saving for the first 12 months of ownership.
  • Ground Clearance and Trendy Crossover Styling
Because Renault KWID is modelled around a compact crossover, the 180mm ground clearance allows inexperienced drivers the freedom to make little mistakes. Whether you’re touching the pavement with a tyre or ramping a speedbump by mistake, parking on the grass at “Uni” or taking a gravel shortcut, KWID takes all of this every day mayhem in its stride, making it a compelling choice for parents or students wanting a robust, attractive and modern vehicle.
  • Interior Space

With height adjustable front seats and spacious rear leg and head room, KWID’s crossover roots once again give it an advantage over its competitors.  Add to that the 300 litres of available stowage and you’re looking at a class leader
  • The Engine
The 999cc 3-cylinder engine pushes out 50kW and, with KWID’s weight being just 700kg, it has one of the best in class power-to-weight ratios. This all adds up to a respectable claimed fuel consumption figure of 4.7 litres/100 km.
  • Class-leading in-car Technology
Bluetooth, aircon, USB and modern interior all come standard in the new Renault KWID.  Another first in this segment is the 7” Touchscreen MediaNav Multimedia system. Electric power steering, digital dashboard and electric front windows round off a spec list that wouldn’t be out of place a few segments up.


Modern and wearing a badge that has earned a reputation for innovative technology without attaching the lofty price tag, the Renault KWID is on sale at Group 1 Renault  in Expression and Dynamique specification.