After 12 glorious years...
After 12 glorious years, Ford called time on its groundbreaking Ka in 2008. But fans of the city runabout had plenty to cheer in Issue 1,014, when we revealed the look of its replacement.
The car stands 58mm...
The car stands 58mm higher and 174mm longer than its popular predecessor and, with a longer wheelbase, too, Renault has created the largest Clio to date. Also, the doors are bigger than before; each is 45mm higher than on the current model, boosting cabin access.
The newcomer has a lot to live up to; the outgoing model was the ninth biggest seller of 2004, with more than 70,000 examples finding homes. Renault has kept that car"s trademark curvy design, but the revamped machine has been given a distinctive wedge shape. Stylists have taken cues from the M탩gane, with a crease running the length of the body into the bulbous rear end.
Inside, the cabin is roomy, and the dash of this three-door Dynamique version features a simple, all-button centre console and spherical vent controls. The seats are basic but comfortable, and there"s plenty of headroom for driver and front passenger. In the boot, there"s a generous 288-litre capacity - another advantage of increasing the wheelbase.
Attention has been paid to safety, with up to eight airbags included, along with anti-whiplash headrests and ISOFIX child seat mounting points in the front and back. The middle rear passenger seat is designed for six to 10-year-olds, and on some models features a three-point seatbelt which fixes to the cabin roof.
Standard spec on UK variants has yet to be confirmed, but all get a full-sized spare wheel. Extras will include adaptive headlights, an MP3 audio system and keyless-go - the latter, Renault says, being unique among superminis.
The new Clio shares the basic chassis of the Modus supermini-MPV. Transmission options are the same as for the Modus, too, including the paddleshift sequential system. Power comes from 75bhp 1.2, 100bhp 1.4 or 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines, with a 140bhp 2.0 arriving later. There"s also a 1.5-litre dCi diesel with 70, 85 or 105bhp outputs.
Super-sizing the Clio isn"t just about creating more space - the firm has the bigger picture in mind. Renault is making room for its eagerly awaited new Twingo city car. The original was a hit on the Continent, but never came here in right-hand drive. Yet the new version will hit British dealers early in 2007.
The current Clio II will stay in production until then. That"s because the model seen here is so much bigger, and bosses feel they still need a small car to sell.
The three-door Clio debuts at September"s Frankfurt Motor Show, and goes on sale on 15 October. Prices range from í‚á£9,000 to í‚á£14,000 - roughly í‚á£1,000 more than the current line-up. The five-door follows in January.