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The Renault Clio is a Supermini / Subcompact produced by the French automaker Renault . Originally launched in 1990 , it is currently in its third generation. The Clio has seen substantial critical and commercial success, being consistently one of Europe's top-selling cars since its launch, and it is largely credited with restoring Renault's reputation and stature after a difficult second half of the 1980s . The Clio has been sold as the Renault Lutecia in Japan , as Honda owns the right to the name Clio in Japan (being one of Honda's sales networks in Japan). A four-door Sedan was developed for certain markets where sedans are traditionally preferred over hatchbacks and was sold under names '''Renault Clio Symbol''', '''Renault Clio Sedan''' and '''Renault Thalia'''. It is also sold under the Nissan nameplate in some Latin American markets as the '''Nissan Platina''' with slight changes in the front of the car to make it resemble the Nissan Altima. Both the Renault Clio (4 door hatchback) and the Nissan Platina (4 door sedan) are marketed in Mexico, each by their respective manufacturer. CLIO MK1 (1990-1998) The Clio was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in the autumn of 1990 and began sales in France soon after, although sales in the rest of Europe did not begin until March 1991. The Clio largely replaced the Renault 5 (which continued to be built until 1996 as a budget alternative). The engine range available at launch included 1.2 L and 1.4 L E-type "Energy" gasoline I4 engines (first seen in the R19 ) and 1.7 L and a 1.9 L diesel (both based on the F-type unit) engines. The gasoline engines all received a fuel injection system in place of carburettors in 1992, in order to conform to new pollutant emission regulations. A minor trim facelift occurred after only a year of being on sale. A new "smooth" version of the Renault diamond badge (the previous "ribbed" badge was being phased out at the time) and a new front seat design were the only changes. The altered design did not constitute a new 'phase'. In March 1994 the Phase 2 model was launched, with small updates to the exterior and interior of the Clio. Most noticeable was the change in the front grille from two metal ribs to a single colour-coded slat grille. The bump strips were made slightly larger and rounder, and the car's trim level badge was incorporated into the bump strips. The badges on the tailgate strip were moved up onto the tailgate itself and the tailgate strip was given a Carbon Fibre look. The rear light clusters were given a slightly more rounded 'bubble' shape to them, giving the Clio a more modern look. The clusters, however, are physically interchangeable with Phase 1 clusters. In 1996, with the arrival of the Phase 3 'facelift' Clio, the 1.2 L Energy engine was replaced by the 1149 cc D7F MPi (Multi Point Injection) 'DiET' engine, first used in the Renault Twingo ; for some time also, versions were available with the older 1239 cc " Cléon " unit from the original Twingo. The cylinder head design on the 1.4 L E-Types was also slightly altered for the Phase 3 models in a bid for better fuel economy. This resulted in the engines producing slightly less power than their earlier versions. The Phase 3 Clios had a slightly more noticeable update than the Phase 2's. The Phase 3 has different, more rounded headlights, incorporating the turn signal in the unit with the headlight. The bonnet curved more around the edges of the lights. The tailgate incorporated a third brake light and a new script "Clio" name badge, following the same typeface as contemporary Renaults. Some mechanical improvements were also made. During 1991 a 1.8 L 16-valve engine producing 137 hp (also first seen in the R19) capable of propelling the car to 130 mph was introduced to the Clio engine range. This was simply called 'Clio 16v'. As well as having better performance than a regular Clio, the 16v sported wider plastic front bumpers, an offset bonnet vent, wider rear bumpers and uprated suspension and brakes, and colour-coded front mirrors and bumpers. Renault also released a "warm-hatch" version of the Clio. It was aesthetically very similar to the Clio RT, but with the addition of a 110 hp 1.8 L 8-valve engine, side skirts and disc brakes on all wheels. This was badged as the 'RSi'. The Clio was voted 1991 European Car of the Year, and the Clio immediately became one of Europe's best-selling cars, as well as the first Renault to be consistently among the top-10 best sellers in the United Kingdom. UK sales were helped by a famous television advertising campaign by Publicis shot in France, featuring the two main characters of Nicole (played by Estelle Skornik , who was not French nor did she have a driving licence at the time) and Papa. Clio Williams In 1993, the Clio Williams was launched with a limited run of just 400 right hand drive cars in the UK. The car was named after the then Renault-powered Formula One team WilliamsF1 but Williams had nothing to do with the design or engineering of this Clio; the modifications to the Clio 16v on which it was based were the work of Renault Sport - Renault's motorsport division. It had a 2.0 L 16-valve I4 engine rated at 110 kW (150 bhp DIN) and a top speed of 135 mph, with performance-tuned ride and handling. Renault later released the Williams 2 and Williams 3 special editions, much to the chagrin of those owners who had been assured of the exclusivity of the "original" Williams. The differences between the three versions of the Williams were largely a reflection of phase changes across the Clio range e.g. the gradual addition of enhanced safety features and cosmetic variations. Other than this, the Williams 1 and 2 had no sunroof and were painted in 449 Sports Blue. The final Williams 3 was painted in a slightly brighter shade of blue and finally gained a sunroof which had long been standard on virtually all previous Clios. The original Williams was the lightest of the three, lacking the electrics necessary for the sunroof or the mirrors but was the only one to sport a metal plaque stating the build number (out of 400). However, the rarest model was actually the Willams 3 with official Renault figures in the UK putting it at well below the 400 original cars and therefore more 'limited edition'. The Williams 3 also had ABS as standard equipment. Respected motoring journalists consistently rate the Williams as one of the very best 'hot hatches' ever made, regardless of era. One common mistake people can make is thinking that the 2.0 16v (F7R) used in the Williams is simply a bored out 1.8 16v (F7P), whereas, in reality the two engines are similar but are two separate lumps with different size valves, different cams, different crank etc. Other differences between the Williams and the Clio 16v it is based on include a wider front track with some parts borrowed from the Renault 19. wider speedline alloys, uprated (jc5) gearbox, bespoke four-to-one manifold, firmer suspension and some cosmetic differences on the exterior and interior, though it does use the same body panels as the Clio 16v (including the plastic front arches). Trim levels
From 1991 to 1994 the United Kingdom and Europe versions were similar. From 1994 to 1998, the trim levels were individual to the specific European country of sale. CLIO MK2 PHASE 1 (1998-2001) The all-new second generation of the Clio was launched in the spring of 1998, with considerably more rounded and bulbous styling than its predecessor. Part of the radical concept of the new Clio were many components made of unusual materials to save in weight and repair costs. For instance, the front wings were made of plastic and the material of the bonnet was aluminium in some versions. Originally the engine lineup was similar to before, with 1.2 L, 1.4 L and 1.6 L gasoline engines and a 1.9 L diesel. In early 1999, a sportive 16V version equipped with a new 1.6 L 16-valve engine was introduced, and eventually, all the older gasoline engines were upgraded to more powerful and more economical 16-valve versions. In 1999, Renault launched the 172 hp Clio RS (short for Renault Sport ), named Clio Renault Sport 172, with a 2.0 L 16-valve engine and a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph). But in this form, the car is capable of surprisingly good handling and performance. The top-of-the-range Clio however was the Exotic Mid-engined, Rear-wheel Drive Clio V6 Renault Sport , which placed a 166 kW (230 hp) 3.0 L V6 engine sourced from the Renault Laguna behind the front seats, with a top speed of 235 km/h (146 mph). Clio Mk2 Phase 2 (2001-2005) A facelift of the Mk2 occurred in the spring of 2001 which saw the exterior restyled, the interior quality improved and a 1.5 L Direct-injection diesel engine added. The Renault Sport (formerly Alpine) factory in Dieppe got its hands on the latest model and so the mk2 ph1 Renault Sport Clio 172 was facelifted inside and out and some modifications made to the engine, including a change to fly by wire from cable throttle, producing the mk2 ph2 Renault Sport Clio 172. A lightened more focused version was also added to the range, known as the Renault Sport Clio 172 Cup. 172 Cups were produced in 2 colours, mainly Mondial Blue (similar to Arctic Blue as used on the later 182) and a smaller number of Iceburg Silver cups, all have silver 16" Speedline Turini alloys as standard. The Cup benefited from lower, stiffer suspension, massive weight reduction (80kg!) which was achieved with thinner glass, spare wheel removal, removal of air conditioning and thus use of a smaller Alternator, the 172 cup also has no ABS or traction control making it what many deem to be the most hardcore of the Renault Sport Clio range. The Renault Sport Clio 172's replacement was announced in late 2003 in the guise of the Renault Sport Clio 182 - featuring several discrete changes such as stiffer suspension, wider track, a slightly longer wheelbase, and the not so subtle twin centre exit exhausts. The exhaust manifold, catalytic converter and exhausts themselves providing the main power increase to 182ps (approx 179HP) compared to the previous 172 (169HP). From its introduction the 182 had cup pack options - the cup suspension pack being recognisable by the Anthracite wheels where those without cup suspension have silver wheels - the cup suspension is slightly stiffer and the hubs are stronger than those on the 182 without cup suspension (which uses 172 hubs albeit with the wider track associated with the 182. The cup spoiler pack feature a splitter under the front bumper and an enlarged boot spoiler, as previously fitted on the 172 cup. The Clio 182 Cup came about in 2005 with less bells and whistles than the 182 (yet featuring both cup packs as standard) and hence a lower price tag - only available in Racing Blue (with or without Gordini tribute stripes) and Inferno Red (Orange!). The special edition Renault Sport Clio 182 Trophy, recognisable by its Capsicum Red paint and anthracite coloured Speedline Turini alloy wheels, came about after the 182 Cup. The Trophy has been heralded as one of the best hot hatches of all time and won 'Evo' magazine's People's Performance Car of The Year, 2005, beating rivals such as the Lamborghini Gallardo and other exotica in the process. Only 500 were made for the UK (and 50 for Switzerland). The main difference between the Trophy and the normal 182 Cup is the Sachs race-engineered suspension that affords the Trophy handling unparalleled in its market, designed specifically for the UK's demanding Car Enthusiast market, specifically to suit UK A and B roads. Renault also produced the mk2 ph2 Clio v6, which looks like it is on steroids compared to the 182. The Mk2 Ph2 V6 is a mid engined, rear wheel drive, 255bhp 24v 3.0 litre baby supercar, it is quite a spectacle. Featuring a manufacturers stated: 0 - 62.5 speed of 5.6sec and a top speed of 153mph. Renault decided to continue selling the Clio II until 2008; the Clio II is sold alongside with the Clio III; but with a smaller price and known as the Clio Campus. In 2006 this model was facelifted with a restyled front and rear. The number plate moves from boot (or trunk) to bumper. Clio Symbol/Clio Sedan/Thalia (2001-2005) In 2001 Renault launched the Sedan version of the Clio II, named Clio Symbol ( Turkey , Romania and Bulgaria ), '''Thalia''' (the rest of Eastern Europe ) or '''Clio Sedan''' ( Southern Cone ). Originally, the car was intended for sale in Developing Countries , but due to demand, it was later made available in countries where sedans were traditionally preferred over hatchbacks, most notably Spain and a few countries in Eastern Europe . In Eastern Europe, the Thalia is cheaper than the Clio, but is still about 30% more expensive than the Dacia Logan , which is also sold by Renault in that market but is a Low Cost model. In a few markets where Renault was not present, the sedan was offered as the '''Nissan Platina''' (manufactured in Aguascalientes Mexico at a Renault-Nissan factory and sold throughout Latin America ), with three exceptions being Chile , the Dominican Republic , and Costa Rica , where both the Nissan and Renault models are present. Beginning in 2007, an improvised third-generation Clio Symbol has been offered in Turkey as Renault Symbol. This model features the interior of the facelifted Clio II with very minor parts commonality with Megane II, as well as new standard and optional equipment, such as automatic Air Conditioning and a CD Player . The model earned moderate reception in the domestic market. Nonetheless, it is expected to remain in production until late 2008, when a sedan version of Clio III is expected. Mexico The Clio was launched in Mexico in 2000; these versions have the 1.6 16v petrol engine. CLIO MK3 (2005-PRESENT) An all-new third generation Clio was unveiled in 2005. It uses a platform co-developed with Nissan (which Renault has a share in) that is shared with the Renault Modus , the current Nissan Micra and the Nissan Note . It is considerably larger and 130 kg heavier as well as more expensive than the Clio II, and at nearly 4 metres in length has almost outgrown the 'supermini' class. This was the result of a decision to move the Clio upmarket. It also brings the trademark "Renault Card" keyless immobiliser to the Clio for the first time. The outgoing Clio II will continue to be sold as a budget option until the launch of the new Renault Twingo (due October 2007). The new Clio achieved a 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating, joining the rest of Renault's family of top-rated consumer motors - with the exception of the Kangoo - which all have the maximum safety rating. Sales of the 3-door model began throughout Europe in October 2005, with a 5-door model to follow in early 2006. It was voted European Car of the Year 2006, and was considered by the judges to be the car which will set the benchmark for quality, safety and style for a car in this class. In June 2006 the sales of the third generation Clio Renault Sport started in France for the price of 23000 euros. Clio Renault Sport is equipped with a new naturally aspirated 16-valve 2 liter engine based on the earlier version used in the second generation Clio Renault Sport and a 6-speed gearbox. The engine develops 145 kW (197 hp) at 7250 rpm. The top speed is 215 km/h and 0-100 km/h takes 6.9 seconds. Renault exhibited a Hi-Flex Clio Mk II with a 1.6 L 16-valve engine at the 2006 Paris International Agricultural Show . This vehicle, which addresses the Brazilian market, features Renault-developed Flex-fuel technology, with a highly versatile engine that can run on fuel containing a blend of gasoline and Ethanol in any proportion (0% to 100% of either). An estate version was unveiled in March 2007 . ENGINES
CONSUMER SAFETY ISSUES ( WATCHDOG ) In April 2006 , UK Consumer Affairs TV programme ''Watchdog'' aired details of incidents involving a number of Clio Mk2's in which the Bonnet flew open without warning whilst being driven - The problem was traced to a faulty safety catch. The problem was originally brought to the attention of ''Watchdog'' by a member of an independent Renault community ( RenaultForums ) whose members have been involved in campaiging to have the problem more thoroughly investigated. By March 2007, Watchdog had received a terrifying further 1,000 cases. Renault has apparently stated there is no fault with the catch and refuses to replace those in circulation. However, a new design catch has been fitted to the Mk3. Renault is now writing to all Renault Clio Mk2 owners inviting them to bring their car back to a garage for inspection of the bonnet latch. In March 2007 an online government E-Petition had been created to petition the Prime Minister to order an independent enquiry into the problem. A Group has been set up on Google to create a central register location for people to join who have been affected by this issue, availale here: Clio Action Group . ADVERTISING
CLIO IN THE UK The UK received its first imports of the Clio in March 1991 . At this stage, Renault was in its early years of being a popular brand with British buyers, and was still a long way off matching the sales success of British marques Ford , Vauxhall and Rover . The Clio seemed ideal for increasing Renault's UK market share, as it was streets ahead of many of its rivals in terms of quality, comfort, refinement, equipment and space. Although it failed to reach the top 10 for British car sales in 1991 , it did so the following year with 34,000 sales making it the tenth most popular new car in Britain. Sales continued to increase over the years and by the time the second generation Clio went on sale in May 1998 , the Clio had almost single handedly achieved a massive sales boost for Renault . The second generation Clio continued where its predecessor left off, and the 2001 facelift only sought to improve its sales success. It was still selling well on the arrival of its successor in October 2005 , and continued to be available as a budget alternative. The Clio's third incarnation was an instant hit with buyers, and in April 2007 it received an impressive showing for reliability in an Auto Express customer satisfaction survey. Of 100 cars surveyed, it was rated as the 49th most satisfying car to own. This was a welcome achievement for Renault, who had been rated among the least satisfying cars to own in a string of recent customer satisfaction surveys. Importantly, it was placed ahead of key competitors including the Ford Fiesta , Vauxhall Corsa , Peugeot 206 and Volkswagen Polo . TRIVIA
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