The Renault Clio E-tech Hybrid. It’s supermini brilliance.
And breathe. The amount of suffocatingly fully electric EVs with unheard of brand and model names invading our streets is relentless. We’re awash with the things. Gone too are the simple to understand milestones. Like miles per gallon. Remember those? Now we have to somehow work out how many kWhs you’ll need to charge up or the battery sizes to choose in case you roll to a stop in the middle of nowhere.
Who doesn’t crave a simple Supermini? Renault is here to save the day so to speak with its likeable facelifted Clio. Did I say how good looking the Clio was in the first place? From the plucky Renault 5 to the 1990 first generation Clio, Renault has consistently churned out sharp designs that hold appeal for supermini buyers.
Who doesn’t crave a simple Supermini? Renault is here so save the day
Refreshed with new tech the warmed up Clio I tested uses the same 1.6 litre four-cylinder petrol engine with electric Hybrid power through an optional six-speed automatic gearbox that was fitted on my press car. It’s worth saying that if you’re after the most fun in a Clio the manual gearbox is a better bet. Adding the auto takes the immersive fun out of driving the Clio. It’s a zippy little scamp that weaves a surprisingly brisk line through city traffic. Nicely modulated suspension damping and sharp enough steering keeps the fun rolling. All told the Clio was the cheeriest little car to jump into every day I drove it over a full week.
Fuel consumption is a claimed at 4.2 litres/100km or 67mpg. In reality, I was seeing around about 60 mpg which is still very respectable. Hidden in the press release Renault claims the Clio will return 900 km driving range. Right now there are irritated EV owners pining for the old days when driving a convenient petrol car equated to zero of the stress associated with charging their cars and chasing the hope of even finding the next working charging station. A decision to stick with an ICE engine or as here, hybrid electric power in 2024 makes more sense than ever.
Renault claims the Clio will return 900 km driving range. The decision to stick with an ICE engine or as here, hybrid electric power, makes more sense than ever.
Using regenerative self-charging motors the tiny electric battery pack topped itself up in the background with no fuss. It’s not a fast car this Clio by any means with a 0-100km/h in over 9 seconds and 143bhp. Still the Clio is charming to drive and a few extra seconds of 0-100 km/h times either way never made a difference when I drove it. This esprit Alpine E-TECH Hybrid 145 Auto spec car costs €34,045. For those with an eye for detail, the esprit Alpine spec replaces the RS Line trim. If you go for the Evolution TCe 90 E6E it smacks of decent value at €24,845 (when tested in Ireland).
Still the Clio is charming to drive and a few extra seconds of 0-100 km/h times either way never made a difference.
Luxuries included for your €34,045 is a 9.3” easylink navigation touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, front parking sensors and rear parking camera, wireless charging, 17” esprit Alpine alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and lane assist. The esprit Alpine trim adds the Formula 1 Alpine team “inspired” niceties as new seats, sporty foot pedals and door plates – all in a fetching deep blue.
Though for my money campaign branding in all forms tends to be a bit toe curling. The fact that Renault gets away with that whopper here is down to the greatness of the car not any associated excitement of some Formula 1 team. Otherwise the cabin is much the same as before. I particularly like the piano buttons on the dashboard between the portrait touchscreen and heating controls – so easy to operate.
Campaign branding tends to be a bit toe curling. The fact that Renault gets away with that here is down to the greatness of the car.
This facelifted Clio follows the updated mid-life changes rulebook such as new front and rear LDE headlights and new grille. It’s a smart refresh but the chic proportions of this generation of the Clio prove how charming the car looked in the first place. Other things to tell you. It has 301 litres of boot space (with up to 1,006 litres with rear seats folded – excellent for a supermini. And that’s really about it.
If you’re going new small EV buying for heaven’s sake do yourself the biggest favour of 2024 and don’t. Instead be sensible and go hybrid. This newly facelifted Clio E-Tech Hybrid is a better option more than ever. As a supermini in its own right though, make no mistake, it is a brilliant choice.
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Mark Gallivan, Motoring Journalist