New 98g/km CO2 Renault Clio

Previewed earlier this year at the Brussels motor show, the new 1.5-litre dCi 86 Renault eco² versions of the three-door Extreme and five-door Expression, are now available to order in the UK, priced from £12,690.

Offering not just ‘reduced guilt’ motoring due to their lower emissions, but with a remarkable 76.3 mpg achievable on the combined cycle, the fuel-sipping new Clio promises a theoretical range of 923 miles, enough to get you the 456 miles from London to Lyon and back again, with fuel to spare.

As demonstrated by its eco² programme, Renault believes it is essential to ensure that the most effective technologies are available to as many motorists as possible at an affordable price.

As a result, unlike all of its current rivals, which can charge up to £1,000 extra, or more, for their more environmentally-friendly versions than an equivalently specified model in the same range, the new low-emission Clio will sell for exactly the same price as today’s dCi 86 engine emitting 115 grams CO₂ per kilometre. Firmly in the Clio’s sights will be three of Britain’s best-selling superminis, the Ford Fiesta Econetic, Peugeot 207 Economique and Vauxhall Corsa ecoFlex, costing between £500 and £1,050 more than their higher emitting equivalents.

The new models will not just be kinder to the planet, they will also appeal to cost-conscious buyers thanks to zero Vehicle Excise Duty, and for fleet customers, a particularly attractive 100% capital write-down allowance and low benefit-in-kind rating of only 13%.

A series of engineering improvements to Clio’s bodywork and 1.5 dCi 86 engine have resulted in an impressive 17 gram CO₂ reduction compared to the current model, and a 19% improvement in fuel economy, or 12.1 mpg, to 76.3 on the combined cycle.

INCORPORATION OF LATEST ENGINE DEVELOPMENTS

Renault's engineers focused particularly on fine-tuning the dCi 86 powerplant in order to achieve the greatest possible improvement in CO₂ emissions levels, without unduly affecting performance.

• Taller gearing across all the transmission ratios: the torque and the flexibility of the dCi 86 allow this to be achieved without any significant impact on performance
• Reduction of frictional losses in the engine and gearbox with the introduction of low-viscosity lubricants
• Dedicated engine mapping focused on reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions

The reduction of 17g/km has been achieved without any impact on driving pleasure, comfort or noise levels, in part, due to several aerodynamic aids:

• Flexible lip under front bumper extended by 15mm
• Front wheel arch liner extension flaps
• Specific underbody enclosure for rear axle

These aerodynamic improvements have had no adverse effect on Clio's looks, and have notably been achieved without calling on unsightly solutions such as rear lip spoilers or full disc wheel trims.

Taken together, these changes bring about a drag co-efficient improvement, down from 0.725 to 0.69. Rounding off the comprehensive range of modifications, is a set of reduced rolling resistance Michelin 185x60 R15 low energy consumption tyres.

The new fuel-sipping versions are available as a three-door Extreme eco² and five-door Expression eco². As a result, the two models don’t skimp on equipment to keep either the car’s weight, or price, down. The specification on each model includes 4x20W RDS radio CD with fingertip remote control, front fog lights and electric front windows.

Like the current Extreme and Expression versions, several options are available, including 15” alloy wheels and fully integrated Carminat TomTom satellite navigation.

The new low-emission Clios are available to order now, priced from £12,690.