2019 Renault Clio: great things come in small packages

Renault unveiled the fifth generation of the Renault Clio supermini - despite the outgoing version still selling well, being the third most popular car in Europe in January 2019.

It is the first car to be based on a new platform that will be shared by Renault's partners Nissan and Mitsubishi. It is 14mm shorter than the previous Clio yet Renault claims much greater passenger space.

The all-new version is said to more modern and athletic, combining "evolutionary exterior styling with revolutionary interior design", meaning sculpted lines and a more assertive front.

The interior is characterised by improvements in perceived quality, featuring a soft coating on the dashboard, door panels and centre console surround, and technology. A so-called ‘Smart Cockpit’ includes vertical, 9.3-inch vertical multimedia screen and a 10-inch TFT digital instrument binnacle replacing the model's traditional analogue display.

Other areas to which Renault paid particular attention are the steering wheel and the seats, with new designs and higher quality materials.




Renault claims that the 391-litre boot is the largest in the segment. The luggage area has a double floor, while the rear seats fold down to provide a totally flat load space.

Laurens van den Acker, senior vice-president of Corporate Design at Renault, said: “The fifth-generation Clio features the very best of the previous generations, from Group 1 Renault. The exterior design of Clio IV won over our customers and continues to do so today, so we chose to keep that DNA while bringing modernity and elegance to the new model.

“The interior has undergone a true revolution, with a considerable improvement in perceived quality, greater sophistication and technology. It is the best Clio ever.”



As part of Groupe Renault’s strategic plan, Drive the Future (2017-2022), the Renault Clio for sale will be the first Renault to include an E-Tech hybrid drivetrain. By the end of the plan in 2022, the group aims to sell 15 models equipped with autonomous driving technology. The new Clio's driver assistance systems are intended as the basis for making a driverless city car widely available.





Article source: https://wheelwonderings.postach.io/post/renault-captur-with-clio-esque-looks

The Renault Megane is a real cracker

WE’RE ALL IMPRESSED WITH THE MEGANE


The Renault Megane for sale is here and if substance follows style then it promises to be very good indeed.

The car I am in this week is the GT Line hatch petrol a car that will appeal to both the family and possibly the fleet buyer. The GT- Line models sit higher up the specification ladder and are versions that are a little bit special with an emphasis on a sporty theme which adds to the appeal of the Megane hatchback.



So has it any street cred?

The style is fresh and contemporary, with bold lines. It is one of the most stylish new hatchbacks on the market, putting arch-rivals in the shade on the style stakes. The “California” 18-inch alloys look fantastic and the sweeping curves of the car look well. All in all the Megane hatch GT-Line looks very well indeed and I truly love the Flame red metallic paintwork!



What is it like inside?

The cabin layout is clean and concise, while the materials used feel top class except for a few hard touch plastics. The fit and finish of everything else is beyond reproach and the ergonomics of the design means everything is perfectly placed for ease of use.

The driving position is very good, you sit low feeling part of the car.


Standard equipment on the GT Line hatchback really is comprehensive (too much to list here) but highlights include multiple airbags, remote key card entry (just touch walk up to the car with the card on your person and the mirrors unfold and doors open), push-button start, auto-locking, (walk away it locks itself) Bluetooth, climate control, voice control, multi-function leather steering wheel, figure-hugging one-piece Sports Seats, the excellent Multimedia system with 8.7-inch touchscreen and TomTom live services with European navigation mapping, rearview camera, auto wipers, auto high beam assist and much more.

There is “mood lighting the colour of which is selectable as is the style of the digitally generated but analogue look instruments, drive modes, Neutral, Sport, Eco, Comfort, all very Impressive! Accommodation is pretty good all-round (though those high back sports seats make the rear a little claustrophobic) with adequate head and legroom both front and rear and a decent-sized boot with a full-size spare wheel.



What’s under the bonnet?

Powered by Renault’s TCe 140 petrol mated to a lovely 6-speed manual gearbox this winning combination proves excellent.

Performance is excellent and super quiet too and I returned an overall test average of 6.6 litres per 100km. All pretty good.



Will I enjoy driving it?
The set-up of the new Megane GT Line is pretty good offering a nice balance between comfort and handling. The ride is supple even over poor road surfaces and noise levels are well suppressed. On the motorway, it cruises easily at higher speeds and is a refined car in which to travel. The new Megane IV feels nimble and agile through corners too. Overall then its a very nice car to drive!



So to the verdict?
So here is a car that competes in one of the most competitive segments of the motor industry and its well up to the challenge. The Megane is a real cracker and available at your nearest Group 1 Renault dealership. Its high tech, very smart looking, packed full of standard kit, proves practical, frugal and is a pleasant drive.

What a lovely car!




Article source: https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/motoring/366547/new-renault-megane-is-a-real-cracker.html