Category: Renault Clio
The Renault Clio Rally3 Is Almost Ready To Rally
Posted by Group1 Renault on 28 Dec 2022
If you’re a true petrolhead and a fan of rally racing, then buckle up and read on as Renault has unveiled the Clio Rally3, their latest and most advanced rally car yet!
Developing The Renault Clio Rally3
After extensive research and dedication, Renault has completed the final stage of development on the Clio Rally3 which represents the latest in motorsport engineering. Its robust, yet agile build quality is specially designed to tackle some of the toughest terrains and could rival the best of the best.
Unbeknownst to many, the Clio Rally3 is, in fact, the automaker’s first-ever four-wheel-drive rally car. The new Renault Clio Rally3 will be a welcomed addition to the world of rallying, bringing with it a combination of performance and agility that will make it a formidable competitor on any rally stage. Its powertrain is designed for maximum acceleration, while its lightweight chassis ensures superior handling capabilities.
Yann Paranthoën, the chief engineer of Renault Customer Racing, revealed that the design of the Clio Rally3 began in September 2021 but it wasn’t smooth sailing. They experienced some challenges in sourcing certain materials, such as aluminium and steel. Once they resolved the supply chain issues, testing began to measure reliability on rough surfaces which allowed Renault engineers to accurately assess the vehicle’s durability.
Testing The Renault Clio Rally3
Testing was conducted over 4500km on asphalt and gravel surfaces in France and Spain, with driving duties split between several drivers including this year’s Italian Rally champion Andrea Crugnola and Jean-Baptiste Franceschi. The official unveiling of the car will take place on January 15 at the Pas de la Casa Circuit in Andorra, and it will become available for competition shortly thereafter.
Paranthoën noted that the stress on the Clio Rally3 during its first test revealed several problems and cracks, but these were minor. They also worked on the dampers and different setups to improve the reliability and performance of the car despite already being in good shape before testing began.
The car was further improved with a sump guard and better gravel protection to accommodate for the differences between four-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive. Subsequent to the modifications, the upgraded version showed a marked improvement compared to the initial test vehicle earlier this year.
One of the main focal points in developing the Clio Rally3 was the rear wing, which was the brainchild of the Alpine Formula 1 team in Enstone. Since they had the new rear wing during the last three test sessions, the engine changed a few times in-between tests which required additional mapping.
“We tested at least 250 different maps between the first test and the last test so there’s a big difference in terms of mapping and therefore in terms of engine performance,” said Paranthoën.
Two Tough Contenders In Rally3
While M-Sport Poland’s Ford Fiesta has a proven track record in rallying and is the likely benchmark for any development, Paranthoën confirmed that Renault did not simply use the Fiesta as the base for creating the Clio and that they did their own development work.
It is difficult to compare the Clio and the Fiesta during the development process because there isn’t enough time to do a thorough comparison. It’s near-impossible to do several runs with both vehicles while focusing on developing the Clio Rally3.
Although details are limited, they did reveal that the Clio Rally3 has four cylinders as opposed to three which results in a glorious rumble from underneath the bonnet. There are also some tweaks to the chassis and bodywork which could make a difference in performance as well.
In closing, Paranthoën said: “I think, for me, for example on a Tarmac rally like Roma in ERC or something like this I think the Clio will be stronger. But on the rallies on gravel like Poland or Latvia, I think the fight will be nice to see because the Fiesta is really fast already on this kind of road and the Renault has to prove what she’s able to do.”
Final Thoughts
Rallying is one of the most exhilarating motorsport events in the world and with its combination of high speeds and technical driving, it’s no wonder millions of fans tune into races every year.
From the available information, 31 drivers tested the Clio Rally3 with 16 of those expressing an intention to buy the car while a further 14 were very interested. If all goes to plan, the Clio Rally3 will be homologated by the FIA in April 2023.
Yann Paranthoën expressed his confidence that the Clio Rally3 will be a best seller due to its good performance, reliability, and low running costs. The car has already been ordered by French teams Chazel and Fun Meca Sport, and Renault hopes to manufacture more than 30 cars in the coming year.
The Clio Rally3 won’t be eligible for Junior WRC but can compete in the WRC3 class, as well as Rally4 and Rally5 versions of the Clio already on offer.
The post The Renault Clio Rally3 Is Almost Ready To Rally appeared first on Renault Blog at Group1.
3 Hatchbacks: Renault Clio vs VW Polo vs Suzuki Swift
Posted by Group1 Renault on 14 Jul 2022
Which Is Best – Renault Clio, VW Polo Or Suzuki Swift?
The SUV is supposed to be king of the road right now, but the hatchback is very popular and many serious drivers prefer the lower centre of gravity, better fuel consumption and nippier handling of the hatch.
There are a number of popular hatchbacks – you will see a Polo every time you come around a corner, while the Suzuki Swift is becoming evident on our roads. The Renault Clio has been a perennial stalwart in this segment as well, so let’s compare the three. Just for fun.
Looks
Of the three, the Clio is definitely the best looking, with its stylish curves and swooping lines. It looks ready to go. The Polo is a very smart-looking car, but perhaps it has been looking the same kind of smart for a bit too long. The Swift has understated good looks, neat lines and a well-balanced body, but perhaps one can take understatement a bit too far?
Inside
The Polo gives you a very nice facia with a digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple/Android. The Clio has the same, but its screen is bigger at 9.3-inch. The Swift’s screen is smaller and offers fewer features.
A big thing about a hatch is the size of the boot, as anyone going away for a weekend will confirm. The Clio is the leader there with 391-L, followed by the Polo with 351-L and the Swift with 286-L.
The Clio has digital climate controls, compared to the Polo’s more analogue offering. The Swift has a traditional aircon which works very well as well.
Under the bonnet
Both the Clio and Polo offer a 1.0-L three-cylinder turbo, while the Swift has a naturally aspirated 1.2-L four-cylinder petrol. The latter offers lower kW than the turbos, but this is mitigated somewhat by the Swift’s very low kerb weight which means a 0-100km/h in 12 seconds. . Both the Polo and Clio will do this in just under 11 seconds. Fuel consumption for all three cars is under 6L/100km, depending on the weight of your foot.
Price and warranty
- The Renault Clio starts at R324 900 and has a 5-year/150 000km warranty.
- The VW Polo turbo starts at R353 600 and has a 3-year/120 000km warranty.
- The Suzuki Swift starts at R189 900 and has a 5-year/200 000 warranty.
Verdict
The Renault Clio and VW Polo are very much in the same ballpark, with the Clio shading the Polo in price, warranty and some features. The Suzuki is almost in a different league, much cheaper, but offering less of a car.
The Clio and the Polo both have a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, while the Swift gets 3-stars.
Our verdict is that the Renault Clio is the best of the three, although the Polo comes a close second. The Swift should not really be in this comparison, as it is a completely different level of vehicle with a different buyer than the others.
Images: VW Polo image by alexwiersma | Suzuki Swift image by DaraKero_F | Licensed under CC BY 2.0.
The post 3 Hatchbacks: Renault Clio vs VW Polo vs Suzuki Swift appeared first on Renault Blog at Group1.
Renault E-Tech Engineered Special Edition Comes To Life
Posted by Group1 Renault on 28 Jun 2022
Renault’s Kiger and Triber are among top cars in SA
With electric and hybrid vehicles growing in popularity across the globe, Renault has introduced the E-Tech-engineered special edition for the Clio, Captur, Arkana, and Megane electrified derivatives. Unsurprisingly, they’ve used design and style cues of the 100% electric Megane E-Tech for the new E-Tech-engineered special editions.
What Is The Renault E-Tech Engineered Special Edition?
E-Tech is the term for the innovative and exclusive technology of Renault which is protected by 150 patents. Renault relied on their immense expertise in electric vehicles and developed the system in collaboration with Renault F1 teams.
The E-Tech Hybrid drive system has a combustion engine, two electric engines, a battery and an automatic gearbox to create a more refined driving experience. As a result, the energy management of Renault’s hybrid cars is more efficient and intelligent which means extended range even in full electric mode.
E-Tech Engineered Special Edition Clio, Captur, Arkana and Megane
Renault’s E-Tech engineered special edition adds a modern feel to the four existing passenger vehicles already available in Europe and other international markets. The E-tech-engineered special edition benefits from all the impressive equipment that made the R.S. Line trim so popular but that’s not all. It also gets a new, high-end look with sporty colours and materials in accordance with current trends.
Starting with the exterior, the E-Tech engineered special edition design features Warm Titanium highlights on parts. This includes the F1® blade on the lower front bumper, the side and rear lower-body trims and rim markings. Another distinctive feature is Renault’s iconic diamond-shaped logo and lettering in shiny black on the vehicle’s front and rear.
Its overall appearance is topped off by a new E-Tech Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid badge on the rear hatch door which is common for all Renault’s electrified vehicles. The final exterior feature on the special edition models is a bold but stylish graphic label on the driver’s door. The E-Tech Engineered Renault Clio, Captur, Arkana and Megane vehicles are available in various body colours.
Interior Design And Features
To complement the sporty exterior of Renault’s E-Tech-engineered special edition models, the interior needed to be special and it certainly is. The same desire that went into creating the beautiful exterior also resulted in a design that screams visual unity and character. This is largely due to the Warm Titanium stitching on the upholstery and gold decorative accents on the dashboard and air vents. The steering wheel features the letter ‘E’ as the E-Tech signature while the doors also feature a visual design reflecting the exterior door label.
Renault Leading The Charge In Electric Vehicles
For more than 10 years, Renault has been a pioneer in electric vehicles and continues to share its expertise with as many people as possible by providing universally available mobility solutions. Renault has two types of engines: E-Tech Hybrid and E-Tech Plug-In Hybrid, both of which were developed to fulfil the demands of a growing market. The E-Tech Engineered Special Edition models are as follows:
- Arkana – E-Tech Hybrid
- Renault Captur – E-Tech Hybrid and E-Tech Plug-In Hybrid
- Renault Clio – E-Tech Hybrid
- Megane – E-Tech Plug-In Hybrid
E-Tech Engineered Special Edition Delivers The Best Of Both Worlds
Designed to give occupants a more efficient and enjoyable driving experience, the Renault E-Tech special edition model combines an electric motor with a petrol engine, delivering the best of both worlds while the interior is luxurious, spacious and comfortable.
Through continued research and development, the E-Tech Engineered special edition models are economical, environmentally friendly and seductive in appearance. Starting in June, the E-Tech Engineered models will be available in France for the Clio, Arkana and Megane but the Renault Captur will only be released at a later stage.
There is no confirmation yet whether any of the E-Tech Engineered Special Edition models will be available in South Africa but we certainly hope so. To read more about new vehicle launches, motoring advice, and hybrid and electric vehicles, simply read our blog and follow us on Facebook.
The post Renault E-Tech Engineered Special Edition Comes To Life appeared first on Renault Blog at Group1.
Your Frugal Fuel Brand – A Renault Efficiency Appraisal
Posted by Group1 Renault on 16 Mar 2022
Renault cars can help you manage your fuel exspenses
A mate told his friend to take his date to somewhere expensive to impress her, so he took her to a filling station. True story. Not a joke though, with 95 unleaded going at R20.88 a litre at the time of writing.
Inflation already played havoc with our budgets, but with fuel prices going up and up, fuel efficiency becomes a real thing right now. Fuel consumption is not an absolute bottom line though. If you have to have a large SUV, you will measure its fuel consumption against similarly sized vehicles. Renault vehicles are known for their frugality, but in the interest of fairness, let’s discuss Renault without comparing it to other brands. All friends here. Please note, though, that we are talking about a combined cycle, so a combination of urban and highway. If your driving takes you more on one or the other, it will affect your use.
Let’s start with the most at one end and go from there.
Renault Kwid
The Renault Kwid is a compact, nippy run-around, ideal for students, young career starters, small families, daily rush-hour commute, as well as older folk who knows how much car they need. The Kwid comes with a 1.0-litre petrol engine that gives you 50 kW and 91 Nm. It has two transmission types, and these will give you a combined cycle of 4.71-litres per 100km for the 5-speed manual and 4.4-litres per 100km for the 5-speed AMT Auto.
Renault Triber
The Triber is a generous 7-seater people carrier that still gives off an SUV vibe. Good for larger families or those with very sociable kids. This MPV also makes a spectacular Uber or Taxify car! It too comes with a 1.0-petrol engine, giving you an excellent 5.5-litres per 100km in the combined cycle.
Renault Kiger
This newcomer is a sporty 5-seater with the option of 1.0-litre 52 kW naturally aspirated or 74 kW turbo engine. The 53 kW manual will give you 5.3-litres per 100km, while the automatic will go at 5.2-litres per 100km. The manual turbo will run at 5.2-litres per 100km and the automatic at 5.4-litres per 100km.
Renault Clio
The hatch for the young professional, or any other professional that enjoys the fresh, sleek and lively look of the Clio V. This sporty hatch comes with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 5-speed manual gearbox and gives you 74 kW at 5.7-litres per 100km.
Renault Duster
The go-to sporty compact SUV in South Africa has been around for yonks – continuously updated and still going strong. It now comes in a 1.5-litre dCi, giving you 66 kW or 80 kW. The 66 kW uses 5.1-litres per 100km, while the 80 kW has two gearboxes that give you 4.8 and 5.2-litres per 100km respectively.
Renault Koleos
This is a big, impressive SUV with a big, impressive 126 kW 2.5-litre petrol engine with a CVT transmission. The Koleos runs at 8.1-litres per 100km, which is impressive for such a large car.
So it’s a question of reconciling your ideal lifestyle with the realities of your wallet. We hope this list serves as your handy guide to Renault’s fuel consumption.
The post Your Frugal Fuel Brand – A Renault Efficiency Appraisal appeared first on Renault Blog at Group1.