Clean Clio

With 88.3mpg and 83g/km promised, the Renault Clio dCi S&S (Stop&Start) ECO is one of the cleanest small cars on sale. Richard Gooding drives it and sees just how green a red car can be

Thanks to Renault’s recent high-profile activity in the electric new car market, you could be forgiven for temporarily overlooking the company’s conventionally-fuelled offerings. However, its diesel models post impressive fuel return figures if you’re not in the market for a zero-emission vehicle. The Clio dCi ECO also boasts one of the lowest non-hybrid CO2 figures for a conventionally-fuelled car. With a combined cycle figure of 88.3mpg promised, it’s one of the cleanest superminis currently on sale.

dCi Technology
Over 11.5 million Renault Clios have been sold since it was launched in 1990. Diesel versions were included from the outset. Renault first introduced its dCi (diesel common-rail injection) technology in 2001, when the 1,461cc engine was first fitted to the Clio. The latest Energy dCi 90 version adopts Renault’s Stop&Start technology and is marketed under the French company’s ‘eco2’ banner. eco2 vehicles are manufactured in an ISO 14001-certified factory, are 95 per cent recyclable, and more importantly, emit less than
120g/km of CO2.

The Energy dCi 90 engine was introduced with this car, the fourth‑generation Clio.

The unit fitted to the test car boasted lower‑than‑standard tailpipe gases and taller gear rations for those headline-grabbing high mpg and low emission figures.

Developing 88bhp at 4000rpm and weighing just 1,071kg, it is certainly sprightly.

With peak torque of 162lb ft (220Nm) available from 1,750rpm, the Clio dCi S&S ECO is both very tractable and easy to drive. It accelerates well on more open stretches of road, with performance which is seemingly at odds with its high fuel returns. A kerb weight 100kg lower than the car it replaces no doubt helps here.

Renault compares the Clio dCi S&S ECO’s low emissions and high miles per gallon figures to those of a hybrid, which surprisingly, is a valid comparison. While the Toyota Yaris Hybrid has lower emissions at 79g/km, the Clio beats it on mpg with a quoted 88.3 compared with the Japanese hatch’s 80.7. Only the Kia Rio 1 1.1 CRDi EcoDynamics that we tested in GreenFleet issue 71 comes close with a slightly higher 85g/km. The Korean car matches the Clio’s 88.3mpg miserly appetite for fuel. The Rio returned a real-world average of 63.0mpg over its time with me, while the Clio delivered a similar 61.3, despite both its increased performance and power output.

Efficient Solutions
Renault has added efficient solutions to the Clio to aid economic driving. An ‘Eco’ mode can be activated which modifies the car’s performance characteristics and reduces fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent. There is also a driving style indicator with green, yellow and orange markings to display when the car is being driven at its most economical. A gear shift indicator helps drivers adjust their driving style to achieve further fuel consumption savings. Finally, the Driving eco2 function built into Renault’s ‘R-Link’ dashboard infotainment system provides additional data enabling drivers to analyse the way they drive and take corrective measures to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions.

The fourth-generation Clio was the first Renault to be designed by Laurens van den Acker, the company’s new Senior Vice President, Corporate Design. Much more stylish than previous generations, the latest Clio has flowing lines and bold detailing. Its five-door only body style has been disguised well, with the rear door handles neatly integrated into the rear side window. Personalisation is very much at the forefront of the new look, with buyers able to choose from a range of five basic colour ‘collections’ and several thousand possible graphic, wheel, roof decal, interior accent and dashboard options. With ‘Flame Red’ paint, gloss black exterior inserts and 16‑inch ‘Passion’ alloy wheels, HN62 KGU looked every inch the stylish urban runabout.

More luxurious
Inside,‘Style’ upholstery with ‘Carbon’ cloth looks sporty, while the digital speedometer and fuel display add a modern twist. Dynamique MediaNav models like this one feature an integrated on-board multimedia system including 7” touchscreen and Navteq Nav ‘n’ Go Satellite Navigation system in addition to an Arkamys radio with Bluetooth, USB, hands‑free technology, Renault Bass Reflex system and fingertip remote controls.

Summing up, the Renault Clio Dynamique MediaNav dCi S&S ECO is both an enjoyable and comfortable car to drive. That it’s also kind to the environment is the icing on its stylish cake. A lower-specified Expression+ dCi 90 ECO model is available for £1,000 less, but does without this car’s Stop&Start system and added style. With £0 VED and a competitive BIK rate of 13%, whichever Clio dCi ECO model you go for, you’ll be rewarded with a good-looking, high-performing and economical small car with added joie de vivre.

ENGINE: 1,461cc, four-cylinder diesel
CO2: 83g/km
MPG (combined): 88.3
VED: Band A, £0
BIK: 13%
PRICE (OTR): £15,545 (incl
 VAT, £16,080 as tested)