Item: 2013 Renault X98 Clio
Rating: 3

Economical 898 cc and 1.2-litre turbo petrol engines
Impressive ride/handling balance
Spacious interior
Light, overly-assisted steering is accurate…

… but lacks feel
Performance of three-cylinder TCe 90 engine only adequate
For TCe 120, double clutch transmission has wide-spaced ratios
Rear seats don’t fold completely flat
For rear passengers, no side or curtain airbags
Rear drum brakes

Review: Renault X98.I Clio (2013-16)

Overview

Released in Australia in September 2013, the Renault X98 Phase I (X98.I) Clio was a light, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Bursa, Turkey, the front-wheel drive X98.I Clio range consisted of TCe 90 and TCe 120 variants, powered by 0.9- and 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engines, respectively. As per the table below, the Renault X98.I Clio was available in Authentique, Expression, Dynamique, GT and GT Premium editions.

Engines

Of the engines,

For the TCe 90 variants, the 898 cc H4Bt petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, a low-intertia turbocharger, double overhead camshaft (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing and a compression ratio of 9.5:1. The H4Bt engine also had a Stop&Start function and a brake energy recovery system (Renault’s ‘Energy Smart Management’) which enabled the alternator to recover kinetic energy produced under deceleration; and,
For TCe 120 variants, the 1.2-litre H5Ft engine had similar properties but was distinguished by its double-cam phasing variable valve timing and higher compression ratio of 10.0:1. Unlike the H4Bt engine, however, the H5Ft engine did not have a Stop&Start function.

Both engines required premium unleaded petrol (i.e. 95 or 98 RON), and while the TCe 90 variants were solely available with a five-speed manual transmission, the TCe 120 variants had a six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch transmission (DCT) supplied by Getrag. To minimise fuel consumption the X98 Clio was fitted with ultra low-rolling resistance tyres fitted as standard.

Renault X98.I Clio specifications
Variant	Edition	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
TCe90	Authentique, Expression	898 cc H4Bt turbo petrol I3	5sp man.	66 kW at 5250 rpm	135 Nm at 2500 rpm
TCe120	Expression, Dynamique, GT, GT Premium	1297 cc H5Ft turbo petrol I4	6sp DCT	88 kW at 4900 rpm	190 Nm at 2000 rpm

Dimensions and suspension

Designed by Laurens van den Acker, the X98 Clio was 4062 mm long, 1732 mm wide (excluding mirrors), 1448 mm tall and had a 2589 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the X98 Clio had MacPherson strut front suspension (with a right-angled triangular lower wishbone with twin bushes) and a torsion beam rear axle with coil springs.

Steering

The Renault X98 Clio had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance; the steering wheel required 2.71 turns from lock-to-lock, while the X98 Clio had a turning circle of 10.6 metres (kerb to kerb).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Renault X98 Clio included dual front airbags, front head and thorax airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Renault X98 Clio had 258 mm by 22 mm ventilated front brake discs; while the TCe 90 variants had 203 mm by 38 mm rear drum brakes, the Clio TCe 120 variants had 228 mm by 38 mm rear drum brakes.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Renault X98 Clio received a five star safety rating which included an 88 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 89 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, occupant protection was generally good, though chest and lower leg protection were rated as adequate. In the side impact test, maximum points were awarded though, in the more severe pole test, however, chest protection was rated as weak.

Features: Renault Clio Authentique

Standard features for the Renault Clio Authentique included 15-inch ‘Extreme’ steel wheels with 185/65 R15 tyres, a two speaker sound system with auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), MP3-compatibility and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, air conditioning, cruise control (with speed limiter), daytime LED running lights, rear fog lights, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking with Renault Smart Key, power mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable seat belt, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, a 12 volt power outlet, trip computer and an immobiliser.

For all Renault X98 Clio vehicles, the sound systems used vented acoustic speakers (Renault’s ‘Bass Reflex’) which were integrated into the front doors.

Features: Renault Clio Expression

Compared to the Authentique, the Clio Expression was further equipped with 16-inch ‘Fairway’ flex wheels with 195/55 R16 tyres, a four speaker Arkamys sound system, Renault’s ‘Media Nav’ system with a seven-inch touch screen display and navigation, front fog lights and s leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob. Visually, the Expression and Dynamique editions were distinguished by their body-coloured door handles and chrome radiator grilles.

Features: Renault Clio Dynamique

Relative to the Expression, the Clio Dynamique added 16-inch ‘Passion’ alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, keyless entry and engine start, power windows (front and rear) and heated mirrors.

As an extra-cost option, Dynamique editions were available with Renault’s ‘R-Link’ system which included:

A tablet with an seven-inch display;
internet connectivity;
voice recognition;
TomTom navigation with real-time traffic updates;
A reversing camera; and,
An ‘R-Sound Effect’ application designed to imitate the engine noises of other vehicles.

2014 Renault Clio GT and GT Premium

In April 2014, the X98 Clio range was expanded with TCe 120 GT and GT Premium editions. In addition to its unique exterior and interior, the GT editions had a distinct suspension tune with 40 per cent stiffer front springs, 30 per cent stiffer dampers and revised bump stops. Furthermore, the multi-mode R.S. Drive function enabled drivers to select from different steering calibrations, throttle sensitivities and transmission maps.

Visually, the Clio GT could be identified by their 17-inch alloy wheels, front bumper with wide-set LED lights, special rear bumper design, twin exhaust tailpipes, body-coloured side protective mouldings with dark metal insert, dark metal door mirror housings, extra-tinted rear glass and ‘GT’ badges beneath the front and rear Renault logos. Inside, the GT had similar features to the Dynamique but was distinguished by its bolstered front sports with GT upholstery and GT-branded front headrests, speckled grey upper dashboard finish, grey trim highlights and steering wheel gearshift paddles.

The GT Premium was further equipped with an Arkamys sound system with six speakers and 3D sounds, Renault’s R-Link Enhanced Satellite Navigation system with a seven-inch touchscreen, turn-by-turn instructions, R-Sound and voice recognition, dark carbon leather upholstery, heated front seats and Renault Sport rear spoiler.

2015 Renault Clio Expression+

In September 2015, the Renault Clio Expression+ was released. Solely available with Renault’s ‘Efficient Dual Clutch’ (EDC) transmission, the Clio Expression+ added automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, power windows (front and rear) with anti-pinch function and one-touch control, and power folding door mirrors, proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), push-button start, front seat armrest and floor mats. Visually, the Clio Expression could be identified by its 16-inch ‘Passion’ alloy wheels and exterior trim pack which consisted of a hatch door strip, side door protection strips, radiator grille inserts (in black, blue or chrome) and a choice of roof decals (Sports, Dots or Tri-colour). Only 100 Clio Expression+ vehicles were offered in Australia.

Brochure

Brochure: Renault X98 Clio (May 2014)

Review: Renault X98.II Clio (2017-19)