Test drive by Renault Clio 5 doors 2001 - 2006 hatchback

Walk with Monsieur diesel

At the airport of the town of Biarritz, we immediately appreciated the foresight of the organizers and the priority theme of journalists expected tens of three identical (!) Dark green Clio with a 1.5 DCI nameplate. And no hustle and bustle, the struggle for the winning color, the number of doors and the degree of sophistication are all placed in the same conditions.
 

Update strategy
The main emphasis during modernization was made to strengthen individuality. The authors do not hide that much is borrowed from the extravagant style of Renault Vel Satis. It seems that, in order not to fenge the layman to them, they decided to run into the first ideas on younger models at first. Clio interior has changed: design, upholstery materials. And, of course, several levels of configuration: Authentique, Expression, Privilege, Dynamique, Renault Sport.
 
The technique also became more perfect: a new family of small -scale turbodiesals with a capacity of 48 and 59 kW (65 and 80 hp), a wide range of updated gasoline engines with a volume of 1.2 to 2.0 l, the steering wheel, a device for helping with emergency braking, many other little things. On expensive versions, rain sensors and inclusion of overall lights appeared. We worked with the car seriously, we will see what it turned out.
 
Let's go to the diesel engine
Clio has become more interesting and attractive. Powerful 15-inch wheels are installed even on the weakest diesel version! At the same time, something traditional, characteristic of most classmates appeared in the form. Soft, not at all French plastic on the front panel and doors upholstery, comfortable seats with huge adjustments and even boxes under passenger seats. But the colleague sat next to him and immediately became crowded, both in front and behind.
 
The diesel is surprisingly quiet and unobtrusive. In the urban hustle and bustle, the low -powered motor is noticeable except for some sluggishness when touching, until the turbocharger revives. The working range is 15003500 rpm, it makes no sense to twist further.
 
But you can’t find it to the brakes. Good feedback, the convenient course of the pedal is successfully combined with high efficiency.
 
In the pendants, not a drop of wolf and imposing: everything is very assembled, densely and on even roads is completely tireless for riders. Unusually good manageability: accurate, strict reactions, very small rolls and this is with one of the weakest engines. The power steering is not bad with a calm city ride and on high -speed lines, but a certain rubberity interferes on the turns. Clio is harsh when modeling an emergency: the absence of the rear axle arises so quickly that it is not easy to cope with it even a prepared driver.
 
And now gasoline!
This equipment is clearly cheaper: there is no sliding hatch in the roof, simpler materials of the upholstery of the cabin, smaller tires (175/65R14). A 1.2 liter motor is more powerful than a diesel engine (still 55 kW), but there is more noise from it. But you go more fun you can not be shy on a loaded mountain serpentine. However, on the bottoms of the traction is still not enough: you have to often switch, trying not to lower the tachometer arrow below 2000 rpm. The car is more modest and in terms of controllability, smoothness. It does not have that severity and composure of responses, more noticeable bodies of the body, stronger than the buildup on irregularities, and it is not so exquisite.
 
Another turned out to be a characteristic of the steering wheel amplifier, it is frankly empty due to a lack of feedback. In short, the most ordinary city car with a beautiful appearance, but without outstanding driving qualities.
 
Renault Clio Sports
In my opinion, the new Clio Sport is outwardly even more modest than the predecessor. There is more elitism in the guise than playing with biceps against the rest of the rest.
But inside, temperament is felt immediately after starting. A barely noticeable trembling runs through the body of Clio, a barely audible sound of a configured exhaust system sees a barely audible sound of the car to a sharp style of driving. Such a tool in the hands of the driver allows you to calculate the trajectory of movement up to millimeters, not to be afraid of the sliding and ... ignore speed limits. At the same time, Clio Sport is shaking pretty much. But you don’t think about comfort when the motor sings on the highest note, and the speedometer arrow is selected by 220. The two -liter motor is very traction: it allows you to accelerate from 12001500 rpm and already 5060 km/h, turning on the highest gear, calmly roll. But only the arrow of the tachometer will be taken to 4000 rpm, the same song begins
 
What do the French choose?
Judging by the level of decoration and thorough settings of pendants, they more often pay attention to diesel versions. This is emphasized by pricing. In France, the 65-horsepower Clio 1.5 DCI costs about 12,000 euros ($ 10,500), and with a gasoline engine 1.2 16V is only 1000 euros cheaper. It is with the diesel engine that rich configurations are combined. Well, on the top of the price pyramid, Renault Clio Sport I liked so much I liked: 21,300 euros.
 
For Russians, the real choice is still small in the Turkish sedan Clio Symbol, which they do not plan to update yet.
 
How to look and alternate ...
Day day after day, traveling to Renault Clio Symbol, willy-nilly I compared Turkish and French cars. Unfortunately, the mistakes of the components are obvious in organizing the workplace on the symbol: shorter than the front seats, less the range of their longitudinal adjustments, the seats are highly in relation to the governing bodies. The brakes are not so verified: too much light pedal requires gentle treatment. You can put up with cheap interior plastic, lack of air conditioning in inexpensive trim levels, but you should not save on the convenience of the driver!
 
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"