Renault has
released pics and details of the curvy new Clio which illustrates their new
design ethos. According to Laurens van den Acker, Senior Vice-President,
Corporate Design: “New Renault Clio
was conceived as a piece of sensuous sculpture which stimulates desire. Like
muscles, its curves express the dynamism radiated by the DeZir concept car. No
acute or aggressive angles, just voluptuous curves that make you want to go up
to it and caress it.”
Maybe he
needs to get out more. Whatever, it is a smart looking wee thing, but oddly
enough it will be available only in five-door form. That means no two-door
sporty hatches, or does it?
Renault is
also promising a radical new approach to its in-car entertainment and information
displays through its already established Renault R-Link electronic interface
media system. Available as standard from the Dynamique spec upwards, a new seven-inch (18cm) touchscreen will be combined
with intuitive voice commands to allow users to ‘personalise’ the system
for safe and simple access to essential functions, without the driver having to
take his or her eyes off the road.
But this
will only be a starter. Just like tablet computers and touchscreen phones,
there will be an ongoing series of additions and developments to enhance the
device and its functions. Renault has engaged the services of ‘Paris
Incubateurs’ (a Paris-based hot-house for young talent) to extend this
functionality to include the ability to check messages, manage a diary, locate
the nearest service station or car park, or, heaven forbid, send a tweet!
Rather more worrying
for the older generation, and neighbours, is a new sound system known as
Renault Bass Reflex, which promises to deliver the volume of a 30-litre home
speaker system. Bass frequencies are more powerful and the threshold of
saturation and distortion is pushed much higher.
So, no
mention of late night or early morning noise curfew then – at least you’ll
know when the weans get home!
The entire range
will also feature Bluetooth equipped radios for hands-free telephone operation
and audio streaming from portable music players plus USB and jack sockets.
There will
be two petrol engines (Energy TCe 90 and TCe 120) alongside the diesel
line-up. The 899cc, 90 hp, Energy TCe 90 engine is Renault’s first in-house
three-cylinder turbo unit and comes with Stop&Start and is claimed to
deliver the performance of a normally-aspirated 1.4-litre engine. The four
cylinder, 1.2 litre, TCe 120 engine will have a six-speed EDC transmission
(Efficient Dual Clutch), a first for Renault in the B segment, and promises the
performance of a 1.6 litre unit.
There will
also be a new 90 hp version of the 1.5 litre dCi oil-burner, equipped with Stop&Start.
This will also have the option of the EDC dual clutch transmission.
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