Box Autos

When designing New Clio, Renault was careful to make sure that the latest version of its supermini delivered the expected level of excellence in terms of active and passive safety. Last year was a watershed for the independent body Euro NCAP which introduced new, harsher procedures for its safety evaluations which are now based on four criteria. The results achieved by New Renault Clio were exemplary, including a score of 88 percent for adult protection, 89 percent for child protection, 66 percent for pedestrian protection and 99 percent with regard to driver aids. In addition to representing real progress compared with its predecessor, the new car’s overall rating of 85 percent positions it as the best models in its segment in which it also secured the top rating in terms of child and pedestrian protection, as well as safety equipment. New Renault Clio has since been named Euro NCAP’s “Best Supermini of 2012”.

All versions of the model are equipped with ESC, ASR traction control, ABS and emergency brake assists, as well as electric variable-rate power steering and cruise control/speed limiter. And when it comes to passive safety, its reinforced superstructure benefits notably from the use of VHEL steel (Very High Elastic Limit). Meanwhile, the list of occupant protection features it packs is particularly impressive: high-efficiency frontal airbags, lateral head/thorax airbags with dual side-impact sensors for speedier impact detection, seat belt pretensioners, load limiters, anti-whiplash head rests, protection from luggage, ‘Fix4sure’ anti-submarining, three-point, four-position Isofix child seat anchorage for the front passenger seat and two outer rear seats. There is also a seat belt reminder light and audible warning (SBR) for all passengers.

Furthermore, the optional reversing camera and rear parking sensors provide the driver with a more accurate perception of the car’s immediate surroundings, while New Renault Clio is equipped with Hill Start Assist with practically all the engines that figure in the range.

For more than 50 years, Renault has actively sought to develop technologies that enhance the safety performance of its vehicles. Its approach and expertise are founded on real world safety and the study of real-life accidents. In 2001, Renault Laguna became the first car in history to obtain Euro NCAP’s maximum five-star crash-test rating. Since that landmark date, a dozen Renault vehicles have achieved the same result (including Clio 3 in 2005), despite the fact that the European body has gradually made its processes harsher. As a result, when it comes to safety, Renault benefits from incontestable legitimacy in the European automobile industry thanks to a range of top-performing vehicles in every class.

The Clio story: 22 years of “big car attributes”

Ever since the launch of the first-generation Clio, Renault’s “small car with big car attributes” has gone from strength to strength. In the course of its 22-year history, more than 11 million cars have been sold, and this success has been stimulated by the comfort, versatility, safety, build quality and equipment specification the model has always delivered, positioning it as a pioneer in its segment. Indeed, Clio has a proven record of bringing big-car standards to the world of small cars.

Clio took over from the hugely popular Renault 5 in 1990. Althougha small car, it benefited from a higher-end positioning, while its lines lost no time in winning over customers. Recognition wasn’t long in coming – including the coveted title of “1991 Car of the Year” – and Clio rapidly emerged as a benchmark in its class. The mainstream range was extended with the addition of a number of sporty versions (Clio S and Clio 16V in 1991, and Clio Williams 2.0 16V in 1993), while Clio Baccara (1991) put the model firmly in the ‘big car’ class with an equipment specification and appointments that had never previously been seen in the segment, including two-tone leather seats, a walnut burr gear lever knob, a height- and lumbar-adjustable driver’s seat, climate control, finger-tip remote audio control and power steering. In 1997, a fleet of some 50 self-service electric Clios were used for the avant-garde Praxitèle programme in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, near Paris.

In total, almost four million Clio 1s were made in seven countries.

When the second-generationClio was introduced in 1998, it took the model’s mission to provide customers with “big car attributes” further still. Safety became even more of a reality for all thanks notably to the fitment of ABS and the latest SRP driver and front passenger airbags as standard equipment across the range, as well as lateral airbags and power steering. In 2000, Clio flexed even more muscle when Renault Sport produced Clio 2.0 16V and the 230hp, mid-rear engined Clio V6 24V!

In 2001, with sales in excess of 1.9 million units to its name, Clio II underwent a significant facelift which corresponded with the introduction of emergency brake assist, seat belt pretensioners and rain/light sensors, as well as the availability of the K9K 1.5 dCi turbo diesel engine with common rail injection.

Clio III was launched in 2005, but Clio II continued to enjoy a successful career badged as Clio Campus. Clio III continued the tradition of breaking new ground when it became the first car in its segment to benefit from a hands-free card and, depending on equipment level, rear parking sensors. In terms of its safety credentials, the newcomer stood quite simply for excellence. Not only was it the first car in its class to secure a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, but its braking performance was also exceptional thanks to the fitment of ABS with brake force distribution and emergency brake assist, plus the availability of ESP. This equipment contributed to its winning of the “Car of the Year’ award again in 2006, making it the first model to claim the coveted accolade twice!

When Clio Renault Sport was released in 2006, it was unanimously hailed as a truly exceptional hot hatch (Clio 2.0 16V and the 230hp rear-wheel drive, mid-rear engined Clio V6 24V). Then in 2008, an Estate version was added to the line-up to celebrate the model’s 18^th anniversary. In-dash Carminat TomTom navigation, which provided advance warning of hazardous traffic situations, appeared with the launch of the Phase 2 version, followed soon afterwards by functions like info-trafic and real time weather forecasts which further contributed to journey safety.