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Renault has added the GT-Line to the already popular Clio range adding even more flair to the sexy French hatchback.

You have to feel sorry for manufacturers competing in the compact hatch segment, except Volkswagen that is. In March this year they managed to shift 1903 Polo’s which is quite incredible really, especially when you take a look at the competition sales.

Ford managed to sell 634 Fiesta’s, Honda 338 Jazz’s, Toyota 255 Yaris’s, Suzuki 204 Swift’s, Peugeot 99 208’s and Citroen just 1 C3. This probably isn’t a massively fair comparison as some manufacturers have a far smaller range in comparison to VW’s Polo. Some are more upmarket too and thus appeal to a niche. In short though, Volkswagen are killing it.

Renault sold 326 Clio’s in the same period, which is a crying shame if you ask me because it really is a very good little car. Having driven it last year, and again recently, this time in GT-Line trim.

So what’s new?

Well, much is the same – the swollen wheelarches which seamlessly rise into the bulging waistline, the sill treatment, and faux diffuser – combined to make for a sporty little thing. GT-Line trim adds a unique front bumper which and grille with the LED daytime running lights moving from the latter to the former. Unique 17-inch rims as well as flattened aftermarket style chromed exhaust tip round off the GT look. RS aficionados will certainly approve.

The makeover is sadly skin deep though because nothing has changed mechanically on the Clio GT-Line. Which is not all bad because it employs the same blown 900cc triple which is good for 66kW and 135Nm of torque. In this application it gains an ‘overboost’ function which kicks in under full acceleration in second and third gears unleashing a whole 4kW and 15Nm extra for 40 seconds. Not monumental, but appreciated.

And on the inside?

Like I said, skin deep. But again, this is no bad thing as the standard Clio is a very nice place to spend time in, and Rand for Rand you’ll battle to find a car as well specced.

Jump inside courtesy of keyless entry (the little flat credit card type key fits neatly into a jean pocket) and the dynamic exterior is carried over into the interior. Okay, so the acres of piano black plastics on the centre stack, door cards, speaker covers and steering wheel might not be to everyone’s taste and could end up showing scratches and smudges easily. The rest though is soft touch and squidgy and all-in-all the new Clio has ramped up perceived interior quality in a big way and is just on par with the German competition. Perhaps even better.

The multi-function steering wheel is beautifully thick, leather trimmed and feels just right, the gear lever falls perfectly to your left hand. The semi-leather seats are height adjustable, for the driver at least, and ensconced even my large frame just fine, combined with a steering wheel which is adjustable for height and reach, finding a snug and comfortable driving position was easy.

Like I said standard spec is really high and includes on board computer, defrosting side mirrors, rear park assist, climate control, light and rain sensor, touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, multifunction steering wheel, cruise control with speed limiter, four airbags, ABS with EBD and stability/traction control. The only option you could possibly want is a panoramic sunroof which Renault will sell you if you so want.

That’s a tiny little engine. What’s it like to drive?

Unfortunately my reservations with the Clio engine carry over, even with the apparent overboost function. Having recently driven the Renault Sandero Dynamique I was super impressed by this dimunitive engine, however in the Clio it just doesn’t feel right. Where in the boggo Sandero it feels punchy and is edowered with plenty of torque even at low revs and once the turbo has kicked in, in the Clio it just felt underpowered and very undertorqued. Which is strange. I figured it might be that the Clio is significantly heavier but a closer look at the data reveals that the Sandero weighs in at 1023kg and the Clio at 1009kg (kerb).

Engine woes aside the little Clio is a pleasure to drive. Stir the gearbox regularly which is both precise and tight in feel, and you’ll be able to take the odd little gap in traffic and keep up with the freeway flow easily, provided you rev the little engine to the max. Point it at a large incline though and you feel that lack of engine capacity and low down torque. Cue, downshift.

Line up a set of switchbacks though and the Clio is surefooted and a hoot to really throw around. It rides comfortably enough on the 17-inch rims and is generally compliant other than on seriously corrugated roads, but then in all honesty what isn’t?

Another slight concern with the small engine is the fuel consumption which over the week I drove it, which included bumper-to-bumper traffic and open road cruising. The on-board read out was closer to 7l/100km, some way off Renaults claim of 4.5l/100km, no doubt having to rev the engine regularly to keep momentum going has a trade-off on fuel economy.

Okay, let’s wrap this up!

Would I buy a Clio over a Polo? I would actually, however there is a huge but, only if Renault offered a slightly more powerful engine option, besides the Renault Sport Clio of course. For the similar money (R221 100.00) you can have the new Volkswagen Polo 1.2TSi Comfortline (66kW 160Nm). While you might argue that 300cc and 35Nm won’t make much of a difference, having driven the new Polo the increase in engine capacity and torque is very noticeable and offers far more comfort in everyday driving conditions.

There is trade-off though, if you opt for the Polo, and that is style. It just doesn’t have any and if you can look past the slightly underpowered engine, the new Clio is brimming with French flair, good dynamics and a healthy wallop of standard tech, more so than the new Polo, and in that regard it surely does deserve your money.

Thumbs up:
What a looker
Packed with tech
Did I mention it’s a looker?

Thumbs down:
900cc just doesn’t do the looks justice
Fuel economy

Pricing:
Clio 55kW Authentique – R172 900.00
Clio 66kW Turbo Expression – R199 900.00
Clio 66kW Turbo Dynamique – R219 900.00
Clio 66kW Turbo GT-Line – R229 900.00 (Driven)
Clio RS LUX – R309 900.00
Clio RS Cup – R339 900.00