Updated Renault Clio E-Tech hybrid leads facelifted range of French superminis as Esprit Alpine trim attempts to add a little F1-derived class. Read the review on CAR
This is the facelifted Renault Clio – and its release couldn’t have been timed better. Now that Ford has swung the axe on the Fiesta, there’s a gaping chasm in the supermini market that manufacturers are desperately clamouring to fill.
The hybrid model also has a healthy increase in torque over the pure petrol model, thanks to the electric motor. Plus, Renault says it can return up to 67.3mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, which isn’t too far from the truth. We averaged around 60mpg during our time with the car. If you want your Clio to offer you the maximum amount of driver engagement, make sure you opt for the basic, manual equipped model. The engine’s rather meagre output means you’re constantly stirring through the gearbox to keep the revs up. One botched gearchange can be the difference between having the power to accelerate out of a corner or not.
The highlight is the exemplary new digital instrument cluster. It isn’t too fancy or complicated, but it’s crystal clear and all the information you need is immediately accessible. There’s a degree of customisation, too, and it’s easy to configure.