THE clio , which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is one of the best known and most successful models in the B-segment — it's even the segment's sales leader — but even it doesn't escape the electrifying winds of change that sweep the industry, passing to now have an unprecedented hybrid variant, the Renault Clio E-Tech.
This hybrid variant joins an extensive range of engines (the most complete in its history) which includes Diesel, petrol and LPG variants. Only a 100% electric variant seems to be missing, but for that Renault has the Zoe.
In this segment, there are still few that have followed the hybrid path — there seems to be a greater number of 100% electric proposals — so the rivals of this electrified Clio are limited to Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz.
All of them are “full-hybrids” or full hybrids, but they are not plug-in, that is, it is not possible to connect them to the mains. The battery charges in progress, each time we decelerate, brake or go downhill. The battery that equips the Clio E-Tech and its rivals is much smaller than that of a plug-in hybrid, which doesn't even usually advertise an electric autonomy.
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However, Renault says that, in cities, the Clio E-Tech is able to circulate up to 80% of the time using only the electric motor. How is it possible? Since stop-starts are more frequent in urban circuits, there are soon more opportunities to recover energy during deceleration and braking, so that the electric motor can intervene much more often.
The result is very low consumption. Is it really so? Well, to find out if Clio E-Tech does everything it promises, time to put it to the test.
like yourself
Whether outside or inside, the differences between the Renault Clio E-Tech and the other members of the family boil down to details that demand a good analysis power.
Thus, on the outside we have the traditional logos and a specifically designed bumper, while on the inside the differences are limited to more logos and information regarding the hybrid system on the dashboard (with 7”), as well as the additional menu on the infotainment system screen (with 9.3”).
Moreover, the quality of the materials places the Clio at the top of the segment in this chapter, as well as the assembly reveals, due to the absence of parasitic noise, a clear evolution compared to the first examples of this generation that reached the market.
Onboard space remained unchanged, putting the Clio E-Tech at the segment average in this chapter. Finally, the installation of the battery with a capacity of 1.2 kWh led the trunk to drop from a reference 391 liters to a much more modest 254 liters. As a comparison, the Yaris offers 286 liters and the Jazz, which takes the MPV format, has 304 liters.
And behind the wheel?
The Clio E-Tech dynamically keeps the French model parchments intact. With an interesting combination of comfort and handling, only the slightly light touch of the controls seems to put a “brake” on a greater feeling of connection to the car and the road.
The automatic teller is smooth and pleasant.
Is that to a well achieved chassis and direct steering, this hybrid Clio also combines an immediate response to the accelerator (mainly in "Sport" mode) typical of models equipped with a hybrid system.
“Homework” well done
Renault may even be the latest brand to reach the "niche" of hybrid SUVs, however, at the wheel of the Clio E-Tech, it is quite evident that Renault has prepared well for this "battle".
For a start, we have more power than the two main rivals. The marriage between the 1.6 l atmospheric gasoline engine with two electric motors resulted in 140 hp of combined maximum power and 144 Nm. Well, that's more than the 116 hp the Toyota Yaris and the 109 hp the Honda Jazz offers.
Although it does not translate, on paper, in superior performance, at least in the metric 0-100 km/h, where it is the slowest of the three, even if for a few tenths of a second. However, in the real world, it is the Clio E-Tech that seems to have the biggest lungs, especially when it comes to facing steeper climbs, or in acceleration recovery.
The transmission is now in charge of an evolved multi-speed automatic gearbox, with technology inherited from Formula 1, whose operation is pleasantly smooth.
In fact, “smooth” may very well be the watchword for the entire functioning of this hybrid system, with the transition between the electric mode and the combustion engine being almost imperceptible. Furthermore, as I was able to see in the city, the promise that the Clio E-Tech is capable of circulating around 80% of the time in an urban circuit in 100% electric mode is fulfilled.
Only in this way will it be possible to justify consumption in urban areas, in the range of 3 to 4 l/100 km. In more hurried use, consumption remains low, not rising beyond 5.5 to 6 l/100 km, and even on the highway it is possible to make averages of 4.5 l/100 km, just like in a… Diesel.
Is the car right for me?
With all the qualities that have made the Renault Clio a systematic leader in the SUV segment, this Clio E-Tech is the ideal choice for those who travel mostly in urban areas.
It is in this space that the hybrid system shines most and it is there that it allows the greatest savings, not even bringing with it the usual “inconveniences” of plug-in hybrids, such as having to carry it.
However, don't think that it is only for urbanites that this Clio E-Tech presents itself as a good option. Also economical on the open road and at a price not much higher than the combustion engine-only variants (but with more power), this is one of the best options in the entire range of the French SUV.