Tom
ClioSport Club Member
EV (s)
EVEN MORE VA VA VOOM AS RENAULT UNVEILS 2004 CLIO RANGE TOPPED BY THE NEW CLIO RENAULTSPORT 182
New Clio Renaultsport 182 leads changes to 2004 Clio range. Gains 10hp, new 16-inch alloy wheels, and Clio V6-style twin exhaust pipes
New 100hp 1.5dCi - Renaults first diesel warm hatch - offers 25% more power, 12% more torque at lower revs, but economy of 66mpg and CO2 emissions of only 113g/km
New front-end styling, new interior treatments and optional equipment
On sale now
Renault has announced more Va Va Voom for its 2004 Clio range spearheaded by the more powerful Clio Renaultsport 182 and its first sporty diesel supermini - the new 100bhp 1.5dCi. In addition certain models of the Clio 2004 range are freshened up with new front-end design, new interior treatments and optional equipment and is on sale now.
Va Va Voom + 10 - Clio Renaultsport 182
As the Renaultsport brand grows with the introduction of the 225hp Megane Renaultsport in April 2004, a new Clio joins the brand in the shape of the Clio Renaultsport 182.
Sporting new eight spoke 16-inch alloy wheels on 205/45 Michelin Exalto 2 tyres, a re-profiled rear bumper that now incorporates twin Clio V6-style exhaust pipes, new interior trim and of course 10hp more than its hugely successful predecessor, the Clio Renaultsport 172 offering more Va Va Voom for the same price as the current 172 - £14,600 on the road.
The extra 10hp is available thanks to changes made to the exhaust manifold and catalytic converter, which also improves performance at lower revs and the sound of the engine.
Maximum torque of 200Nm is now available from 5250rpm (150rpm earlier than the previous version).
Sounds on the inside of the car are also improved by the addition of a 160W Cabasse six CD/radio, and the inside of the car exudes a sporty feel, with a "Dark grey seaspray" dashboard teamed with perforated alcantara upholstery with a light grey under layer. The safety belts are also light grey, featuring a metallic finish. The vehicles sporting qualities are also underscored by new satin-finish chrome dashboard mouldings, steering wheel insert and gear lever knob.
The new Clio Renaultsport 182 also offers the options of a Cup chassis upgrade and a Cup spoiler pack. The Cup chassis option, costing £200, adds Michelin Exalto 2 tyres with stiffer sidewalls, a 3mm lower ride height, stiffer springs and dampers and new steering geometry plus Anthracite colour wheels.
The front track is 20mm wider and the rear track is 10mm wider improving the cars’ stance on the road and improving the road holding. With higher spring rates at the front, the Cup suspension is firmer and provides more responsive behaviour. These modifications are complemented by the adoption of tyres of an extra-stiff structure. Steering response is thus more direct, with a more incisive front suspension. Also enhancing driving efficiency are the flexible lower leaf of the front bumper, and the larger rear hatch-mounted spoiler, providing greater downforce and aerodynamic refinement.
Four new exterior colours are introduced on the Clio Renaultsport 182 - non-metallic Racing Blue, plus metallic colours Titanium, Black Gold and Artic Blue.
Standard equipment on the Clio Renaultsport 182 also includes:
Sports ratio hydraulic assisted steering, gear change indicator, ESP electronic stability programme, front fog lamps, climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, drilled aluminium pedals, insurance approved Thatcham CAT 1 alarm, automatic headlamps and rain-sensitive wipers, Xenon double optic headlamps, leather steering wheel, leather and aluminium gear knob and aluminium finish on the instrument dials and dashboard inserts.
Competition winner - Clio Renaultsport 182 offers best combination of power, performance and price to hot hatch fans
Clio
182
Peugeot 206 GTi 180
MG ZR 160
Mini Cooper S
Hp
182
180
160
163
Litres
2.0
2.0
1.8
1.6
Torque (Nm)
200
200
174
210
@ rpm
5,250
4,750
4,700
4,000
Performance
MPH
139
137
130
135
0-62mph
7.1
7.5
7.4
7.4
MPG
combined
34.9
36.7
37.7
33.6
CO2 - g/km
194
185
179
202
OTR Price
£14,600
£15,195
£14,795
£14,605
As is illustrated by the above chart, the new Clio Renaultsport 182 offers the best combination of power, performance and price compared to its other key Hot hatch rivals.
100hp 1.5dCi makes Clio Renaults first diesel warm hatch
Adding to its already class-leading range of diesel Clios, Renault has created its first Hot hatch diesel with the introduction of the 100hp version of the successful 1.5dCi engine, already available as 65 and 80hp versions. Developing 100hp at 4000rpm and 200Nm of torque at 1900rpm - the same as the Clio 182 but at 3,350rpm less! The new engine offers maximum driving pleasure from the lowest speeds, thanks to the multi-vane variable nozzle turbocharger, with more than 90% of torque available from 1500rpm.
It is also lively at maximum speed (5200rpm), while retaining fuel consumption of 66mpg in the combined cycle and low emissions of only 113g/CO2 per km.
To optimise the sound-proofing qualities of the benchmark 1.5 dCi engines, the 100hp unit has been teamed with a cable-operated gearbox and a clutch housing with a large mating surface.
The new 100hp 1.5dCi engine will be available on Dynamique, Privilège and Initiale models.
The competition
Renault Clio Ford Fiesta Vauxhall Corsa Peugeot 206 Citroen C3 VW Polo
1.5 dCi 100 1.4 TdCi 1.7 CDTI 2.0 HDI 90 1.4 HDI 92 1.9 TDI 100
Hp 100 68 100 90 92 100
Litres 1.5 1.4 1.2 2.0 1.4 1.9
Torque Nm 200 160 240 205 200 240
@ rpm 1,900 2,000 2,300 1,900 1,750 1,800
MPH 115 102 117 112 110 117
0-62mph 10.6 14.9 11.5 11.6 11.7 10.7
MPG
combined 65.7 65.7 56.5 56.5 65.7 56.5
CO2 - g/km 113 114 135 136 112 135
The 100hp 1.5dCi Clio offers the best combination of fuel efficiency and cleanliness with power and acceleration in the class as demonstrated in the table above. Even the Ford Fiesta 1.4TDCi and Citroen C3 1.4 Hdi which virtually match the Clios emissions and consumption cannot equal its power output or performance figures.
Clio range updated for 2004
In addition to the New Clio Renaultsport 182 and the 100bhp 1.5dCi engine additions to the 2004 range, the rest of the Clio line-up also receives a number of revisions.
Clio Generation 2004 has a sportier front end and all-new front bumper - which includes new fog-lamp housings - on the Dynamique trim level, Initiale version and all models powered by the 100bhp 1.5 dCi engine. On the Dynamique level, the bumper/grille unit with wide air inlet is teamed with a body-coloured rear sports spoiler – reaffirming the sportier character of this compact hatchback.
The use of soft-feel rear door panels further enhances quality. In addition, a digital screen has been added to the centre of the dashboard and the analogue instrument dials carry over the New Mégane design for a more modern appearance. Clio Generation 2004 also comes with a height-adjustable drivers seat from the entry level and new rear electric windows on the five-door Privilège and Initiale variants.
Freeway Collection
The following changes will appear on the entry-level Authentique version of Clio Generation 2004:
New Toucan upholstery and dashboard inserts
Lateral airbags as an option for £200
Expression adds:
New Toucan upholstery and dashboard inserts
New Pixis wheel trims
Sport Collection
To enhance the Clios sporty image the Dynamique model will benefit from:
New front bumper design including new housing for fog-lamps
New 15-inch Alium alloy wheels
Larger body-coloured rear spoiler
Graphic Night upholstery, aluminium-style dashboard inserts and door handles and silver-grey coloured seat belts inside
The new 100hp 1.5dCi engine
Elegance Collection
Clios Privilège trim level gains the following features in 2004:
Body-coloured door handles and rear spoiler
New front bumper in common with the Dynamique, fitted with 100hp 1.5dCi engine
Electric rear windows
Vertigo upholstery and leather steering wheel
The top-of-the-range Initiale model gains some features from Renaults executive car, the Vel Satis such as:
Marquetry wood inlays on the dashboard
160 Watt Cabasse multi-CD/Radio
plus
Electric rear windows
New front bumper
100hp 1.5dCi replaces 80hp version
Prices
Prices for the Clio Generation 2004 remain as they appear in the latest October 1 Renault UK price list, with the exception of a number of new models. These are:
Dynamique 1.6 16V 3 door £9,950 on-the-road
Dynamique 1.6.16V 5 door £10,450 on-the-road
Dynamique 1.5dCi 100 3 door £11,050 on-the-road
Dynamique 1.5dCi 100 5 door £11,550 on-the-road
Dynamique 1.5dCi 100 3 door - A/C £11,550 on-the-road
Dynamique 1.5dCi 100 5 door - A/C £12,050 on-the-road
Privilège 1.5dCi 100 5 door £12,500 on-the-road
Initiale 1.5 dCi 100 5 door £14,300 on-the-road
The Clio Generation 2004 model range is available to order now at any Renault dealer.
