Extinction Rebellion: Renault Clio E-Tech Hybrid 145

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○One of the many disappointing aspects of the fashion for SUVs and SUV-inspired “crossover” models is that more traditional and, in my opinion, better-packaged types of cars It’s casting a shadow on some people. This real estate seems to be disappearing – the end of his three products at Volvo is the latest bad news – saloons and hatchbacks, or the “supermini” as it was called at the time, such as the Fiat 127, Renault 5 and Renault 5. ” Even the VW Polo popularized this genre.

For example, the Ford Fiesta, which has led the UK market for almost half a century, is taking a hit later this year. To be honest, it’s getting a little monotonous. Whether the cars are electric, hybrid or powered exclusively by internal combustion engines, they all conform to the increasingly common SUV/crossover look, and in what respects? It is very difficult to distinguish between them. Just as the number of digital TV channels has proliferated, paradoxically our choices seem to be decreasing rather than increasing. “With an SUV, you can drive any car you want.”

The most severe losses are in the smaller, cheaper markets. That’s because battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology tends to be better suited for vehicles that are taller, wider, and fatter (heavier) to get the most out of their battery packs and offer variety. within the range required by the customer. Inevitably, that means the peppy, cheap hatches with efficient internal combustion engines that we’ve grown accustomed to are becoming obsolete. Therefore, we have to cherish the few examples that still remain, the most notable of which is the Clio, and despite the shift to electric cars and SUVs, Renault still has the desire to produce them. have.

Of course, Renault is not immune to this trend, but we should be grateful that the Clio is still running alongside its crossover derivative, the Captur.

‘Clio’ is a familiar nameplate dating back over 30 years, and has always been a ubiquitous feature on the scene, and for good reason. Despite their semi-disposable image and ubiquity, which probably meant they were taken for granted and not taken too seriously, successive Renault Clios have been known for their smooth drive and It combines lively performance, economy, reasonable reliability, and a touch of personality. Even if it’s so badly rusted. There’s good reason to take a close look at the latest version, a facelifted version of his Clio VI launched in 2019.

So what’s new? Well, the Clio has had a pretty significant redesign of the front end, and for marketing reasons it has adopted the “Alpine” badge on trim levels, previously reserved for performance/electric brands, but this It’s a loss for me. This generation of Clio is also available as a petrol-electric hybrid, which I tried. In fact, almost all models are now powered this way, with no BEV, plug-in hybrid or diesel models.

I have to admit that the latest Clio takes me back to what I used to drive in the 1990s. It’s even a holdover feature in that it still has a small control pod for the audio just behind the steering wheel. As we enter the second quarter of the 21st century, I am surprised by something. At the time, they were quite ahead of their time, but I vaguely imagined that they would be making something even more flashy by now. It’s not working yet, but it still works (you’ll get used to it).

The rest of the steering wheel has the usual driver aids for adaptive cruise control, but the button that activates lane assist (which pulls the steering wheel when you cross a white line) is illogically located near the door. on the dashboard.

The portrait-style touchscreen feels a bit mean by modern standards, but it’s perfectly usable and as secure as this kind of touchscreen can be (perhaps even more so given its limited functionality). It’s safe).

Three large rotary dial controls on the dash control the air conditioning, and they’re also very clear and simple, with some welcome old-school thinking here as well. The plastic looks and feels quite high-end, definitely not high-end, but rustic and unpretentious.

Frankly, the Clio doesn’t ooze showroom charm, but it’s a very engaging drive on the move, and the six-speed gearbox has none of the kind of whine you’d get in a hybrid. Electrical switching is also performed. Assisted pure gasoline propulsion is imperceptible.

It’s a much more complete and confident performer than it looks, and it’s the kind of car that you can actually actively enjoy driving. You can push very hard and always remain calm. The era of low-cost small hatches is quietly coming to an end, so if you can find a way to justify the cost, this is a car I can thoroughly recommend. Its main competition is the Vauxhall Corsa/Peugeot 208, which has a newer, more advanced design but lacks the vigor of the Clio.

The Clio has so many strengths and so few faults, but some of its sins are glaring. At first the fan made a little noise and there was a little echo in the steering wheel during cold starts, but it quickly warmed up and subsided on its own. The synthetic leather seats are mostly comfortable and grippy, but could also use more lumbar support.

It’s reasonably nimble and very satisfying to drive, but I think Renault could have used the 1.6-litre engine and hybrid assist a bit more. I think it’s being tailored to our more enlightened times and to the interests of the economy and its emissions. Unlike the good old days and the good old days, there are no frenetic homologation specials with a rumbling 3-liter V6 engine where the back seat should be. To be honest, part of me regrets that. The newer small Renaults are pretty tame, but still a lot of fun.