Had it not been for the typically-Cape Town weather (wet, windy) I would be sitting here telling you all about how the new facelifted Renault Sport Clio III handles around a high-class race track like Killarney. I’d even be telling you about the braking power employed by the Twingo RS at the end of the back straight. Instead all I can say is that Cape Town is quite picturesque even under misty weather.
Poor Renault South Africa; planned it all down to a tee even, the whole thing. But what ended up happening was that we took one convoy lap around Killarney after it became clear that the skies would not clear up as long as we were there.
Luckily there was Bain’s Kloof, a tight and twisty mountain pass with enough curves to challenge any African woman. The higher it went the mistier it got and the more I was tempted to push. The RS also willed me to but there just would not be any justification for a premature slide over the mountain pass, especially one that involved insurance claims of R250 000. In any case, although my driving partner was old enough to be my dad, cutting off his life in that way just would not do. So I did the sensible thing and backed off, at the same time letting the roar from the two rear pipes subside a little bit.
Hard to fault this French cracker. Four cylinders, 2.0-litres, 147.5kW (at 7100rpm), and 215Nm (at 5400rpm). Aspiration is natural which means in Gauteng you’ll get a different type of car from what you’ll experience in places like Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Thus the claimed 0 – 100km/h dash of 6.9 seconds will probably come later (my guess is in the late 7s) but top speed should remain at 225km/h. Renault says average fuel consumption is 8.2 litres per 100km while C02 emissions stand at 195g/km.
Driving the front wheels is a 6-speed manual gearbox that feels good on the left hand and gear changes are quick enough. Interior comfort has been greatly improved over the previous model such that, although the suspension is stiffer, passengers don’t feel it as much as before. In fact one might even call it comfortable. The front and rear tracks have been widened by 48mm and 50mm respectively, while the wheelbase is 10mm longer.
Standard wheels are 17-inch types running on 215/45 R17 Continental Sport Contact 3 rubber. Apparently the rims are 1kg lighter each, a saving of 4kg in total vehicle mass. RS is a very special name for Renault, so special that it has its own specialist area within two Gauteng dealerships with more to follow. Those who snatch a new example are even offered some free track time through the Advanced Driver Training programme.
The only other model in the new range is the 1.6 Dynamique which should not in any way, feel like less of a car because of big brother RS’s capabilities. Fitted with a 1.6-litre 16V engine that produces 83kW at 6000rpm and peak torque of 151Nm at 4250rpm the Dynamique will obviously be the volume seller for the two-part Clio range. Its average fuel consumption is claimed at 6.6 litres per 100km and C02 emissions are 157g/km. Coupled with it is a 5-speed manual gearbox (a traffic-friendly automatic option is being looked at for a 2010 introduction).
Clearly this is not an RS. Where the Dynamique excels is in its equipment levels. Renault has partnered with satellite navigation specialist Tom Tom to give customers in this segment something unique for their cars. For the first time in the segment buyers can have fully-integrated, world-class satellite navigation fitted in their cars straight from the factory. No more windscreen suction, no more awkward cables sticking out all over the show, and no more having to hide the unit away each time you leave the car. The Carminat Tom Tom is a highly advanced unit with too many capabilities to mention. Its features include a (14.7 cm) non-touch screen, remote control operation, SD card storage and the ability to update the software.
Other sweet gadgets include USB connectivity, Bluetooth integration, electric windows all around, climate control and cruise control with a speed limiter. Shod with new 195/50 R16 low-profile tyres on 16-inch rims the Dynamique looks and feels good. Being the EuroNCAP 5-star performer that it is, the car comes standard with ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA).
In dramatically cutting down Clio III models available in the South African market from 12 to just two, Renault has greatly simplified its life. People are no longer going to be confused by a litany of Clio versions that only the company understood. Resale values should also rise in sync. Importantly also the move allows the Clio to shift upmarket to allow the Sandero some space in the near-entry hatch segment.
Fruit will hopefully start to bear through some strategies such as greater commitment to customer satisfaction, the launch of the 110% campaign (which says Renault and all its agents, dealers and staff are 110% committed to their customers), new product (2009 Megane, Megane Coupe, Scenic and Grand Scenic coming in September) and a better BBBEE scorecard. By the end of 2009 Renault will operate a total of 47 dealerships countrywide.
Almost 40 000 Clios have been sold in Mzansi ever since the Clio II first arrived in 1999. Renault is confident that despite tight pockets and even tighter-fisted banks, and its two-model strategy, the refreshed Clio III will continue being its best-seller until the brand new version comes to life in 2011.
Renault Clio III (facelift) pricing
1.6 Dynamique (R188 000)
2.0 Renault Sport (R249 900)
*Live exterior pictures of the Renault Clio II RS were taken using a NOKIA 6210 Navigator
