- Refined 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol engines
- Comfortable ride and competent dynamics
- Supportive front seats
- Good visibility
- Upright driving position
- Limited rear seat room
- Manual transmission has long throw action and loose gearlever
Review: Renault X65.II Clio (2001-04)
Overview
Released in December 2001, the Renault X65 Phase II (X65.II) Clio was initially available as a light, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Flins, France, the front-wheel drive Clio was initially available with 1.4- or 1.6-litre petrol engines that were mated to either four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmissions. While the five-door range consisted of Expression and Privilege variants, the range was expanded in 2002 with the Expression Verve editions. In December 2003, the three-door Dynamique variants were released.
Both the three- and five-door hatchback models were 3881 mm long, 1639 mm wide, 1417 mm high and had 2472 mm long wheelbases. The Clio had MacPherson strut front suspension, negative offset with lower wishbones and anti-sway bars, coil springs and telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers. The rear suspension consisted of an H-style (or torsion beam) rear axle with coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers and anti-sway bars.
| Body | Variant | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-door hatch | Dynamique | 2003-04 | 1.6-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man. | 79 kW at 6000 rpm | 148 Nm at 3750 rpm |
| 5-door hatch | Expression | 2001-04 | 1.4-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
72 kW at 6000 rpm | 127 Nm at 3750 rpm |
| Privilege | 2001-04 | 1.4-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto | 72 kW at 6000 rpm | 127 Nm at 3750 rpm | |
| 2001-04 | 1.6-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man. | 79 kW at 6000 rpm | 148 Nm at 3750 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Renault X65.II Clio included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, anti-submarining front seats and front and outer rear seatbelts with pretensioners with load limiters.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2000 Renault X65.I Clio five-door hatchback fitted with a 1.2-litre petrol engine – and equipped with dual front airbags but not front side airbags – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 26. In the frontal offset impact test, the driver’s chest and lower left leg were subjected to high loads. In the side impact test, there was a small risk of injury to the abdomen.
Features
Standard features for the Renault Clio Expression included a six speaker sound system with cassette player, air conditioning, steering wheel audio controls, split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, a height adjustable driver’s seat and steering wheel, power front windows, power mirrors and an immobiliser; the Verve editions added 15-inch alloy wheels and a six-stack CD player.
Compared to the Expression, the Clio Dynamique and Privilege were further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, CD player, climate control air conditioning, front fog lights, lumbar adjustment for driver’s seat and a trip computer.
Review: Renault X65.III Clio (2004-08)
Overview
Released in September 2004, the Renault X65 Phase III (X65.III) Clio introduced a revised range, with the entry-level Expression variant was renamed ‘Authentique’. In July 2006, the Dynamic and Privilege variants were discontinued, and the Authentique was effectively renamed ‘Campus’ – leaving it as the sole variant in the revised Clio range.
| Body | Variant | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-door hatch | Dynamique | 2004-06 | 1.6-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man. | 79 kW at 6000 rpm | 148 Nm at 3750 rpm |
| 5-door hatch | Authentique | 2004-06 | 1.4-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
72 kW at 6000 rpm | 127 Nm at 3750 rpm |
| Campus | 2006-08 | |||||
| Privilege | 2004-06 | 1.4-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto | 72 kW at 6000 rpm | 127 Nm at 3750 rpm | |
| 1.6-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man. | 79 kW at 6000 rpm | 148 Nm at 3750 rpm |
Features
Compared to the X65.II Expression, standard features for the X65.III Clio Authentique were unchanged. The Dynamique and Privilege, however, gained cruise control, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers.
Renault Clio Campus
Released in July 2006, the Campus was similarly equipped to the Authentique, but added 15-inch alloy wheels, a CD player, cruise control and front fog lamps; automatic models were also fitted with a trip computer.
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