2009 RENAULT Clio reviews

Renault Clio 1.5 D GT dCi 106 3Dr. Manual 2009

Manual C’est superb, n’est pas? This Gallic supermini oozes chic, charm, and Parisienne punch. Elle va? Elle va va voom! Wrapped up in a smart and appealing designer bodyshell, the Renault Clio Sport diesel has piquancy in plenty and practicality in abundance, with all the flair one could wish from a French stylist and all the metric nous of clever French engineers. The lucky owner of this brand new automobile can enjoy the best that motoring can offer - secure in the knowledge that the affair will be a long lasting one: you can depend on it. More and more, the British motorist, in mourning for the lost national motor industry, is turning - not without envy - to our French friends across the Channel to plug the deficit. The French motor industry produces sound, stylish and, indeed, desirable motorcars embodying a cosmopolitan feel with a Republican disdain for snobbery. These are cars for the people: sensible people. People at liberty to choose for themselves. Sandwiched between the flashy, status obsessed, top end of the market and the - ’Mon Dieu! If only I had money to buy better than this’ - grimly utilitarian bottom end, the French motor industry displays a range of appealing automobiles for every taste, purpose and pocket. The present GT model is a prime example of that. Easily distinguished by its racy lines and 16" alloy wheels, side skirts, tinted windows and twin tailpipe exhaust, it’s targeted at the sportily inclined who like a little dash, a little flash, a little fun - but want to feel that they’re getting value for money, reliability and economy at the same time. The new Clio GT diesel zips into the frame with the breezy insouciance of an Impressionist seascape. On the inside, sporting details include drilled aluminium pedals, sports front seats and a leather trimmed GT steering wheel. It’s as bracing as ozone to take a turn behind the wheel - even on a soggy Saturday in Shrewsbury. To own this little beauty is an affair of the heart. Maigret would puff a pipe or two in contemplation of its alluring lines and nod appreciatively at the competent precision of its road manners and positive sense of direction. (Sat nav is integrated in this Tom Tom Edition). You don’t need to be a great detective to discover its abundance of attributes. The 106bhp diesel is one of the best around. Smooth, and with tractor like torque (240Nm at just 2000 rpm) the car ’feels’ quicker than it actually is. Top speed though is enough for anyone at near 120mph. Six well spaced gears encourage enjoyment and, as a consequence, I could not get anywhere near the claimed combined economy figure of 61.4mpg. 48mpg is what was recorded on the trip computer - but I say ’buy the 86bhp ’Ordinaire’ if you want to pussyfoot about’: this car is about FUN. And talking of ’fun’ I covered the secret A to B section of my Shropshire test route in just three minutes less than I had achieved in a test Maserati. All down to the torquey motor and inspirational handling born of ’programmed deflection torsion beams and the use of elasto-kinematic materials hard-wired to the moon etc..’ To you and me that means it handles and rides beautifully. Whilst pressing on at a cracking pace you are in a lovely, comfortable and quiet cabin listening to the quality sound system. If you’ve any sense at all, forget your baguettes and bag one of these. For modern driving it’s even better than a Bugatti. As my pal Le Chat Noir purred to me - "This Clio’s for miaow". If one was allowed these days, I’d be tempted to raise a glass of Beaujolais to this jolly Gallic jem. A car like this makes one feel a real Eurostar here...