Renault Clio III ( 2006- Present )
An all-new third generation Clio was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Clio III uses the Nissan B 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 (287 lb) heavier as well as more expensive than the Clio II, and at nearly 4000 mm in length has almost outgrown the supermini class.
This was the result of a decision to move the Clio upmarket[citation needed]. It also brings the trademark "Renault Card" keyless immobiliser to the Clio for the first time. The new Clio achieved a 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating, joining the rest of Renault's family at the maximum safety rating (with the exception of Kangoo and Twingo). Sales began throughout Europe in October 2005.
It was voted European Car of the Year 2006, becoming the first car to win twice and beating the rival Volkswagen Passat by just 5 points. The Clio was described by several people as the new benchmark for its category and by one judge as a "great little car that should inspire bigger ones". The trophy for the award was presented in January 2006 to the Renault chief executive at a ceremony in Italy organized by Auto Magazine.
In June 2006 the sales of the third generation Clio Renault Sport started in France for the price of €23,000. The Clio Renault Sport is equipped with a new naturally aspirated 16-valve 2.0 L engine based on the earlier version used in the second generation Clio Renaultsport and a 6-speed manual gearbox. The engine develops 197 PS (145 kW) at 7250 rpm. The top speed is 215 km/h (134 mph) and 0–100 km/h takes 6.9 seconds.
An estate version called Sport Tourer was unveiled in March 2007. At the same time, Renault replaced the 1.4 L atmospheric engine with a new turbocharged 1.2 TCE version, with 101 PS (74 kW) and 145 N·m (107 ft·lbf) of maximum torque.
The Clio III uses the Nissan B 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 (287 lb) heavier as well as more expensive than the Clio II, and at nearly 4000 mm in length has almost outgrown the supermini class.
This was the result of a decision to move the Clio upmarket[citation needed]. It also brings the trademark "Renault Card" keyless immobiliser to the Clio for the first time. The new Clio achieved a 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating, joining the rest of Renault's family at the maximum safety rating (with the exception of Kangoo and Twingo). Sales began throughout Europe in October 2005.
It was voted European Car of the Year 2006, becoming the first car to win twice and beating the rival Volkswagen Passat by just 5 points. The Clio was described by several people as the new benchmark for its category and by one judge as a "great little car that should inspire bigger ones". The trophy for the award was presented in January 2006 to the Renault chief executive at a ceremony in Italy organized by Auto Magazine.
In June 2006 the sales of the third generation Clio Renault Sport started in France for the price of €23,000. The Clio Renault Sport is equipped with a new naturally aspirated 16-valve 2.0 L engine based on the earlier version used in the second generation Clio Renaultsport and a 6-speed manual gearbox. The engine develops 197 PS (145 kW) at 7250 rpm. The top speed is 215 km/h (134 mph) and 0–100 km/h takes 6.9 seconds.
An estate version called Sport Tourer was unveiled in March 2007. At the same time, Renault replaced the 1.4 L atmospheric engine with a new turbocharged 1.2 TCE version, with 101 PS (74 kW) and 145 N·m (107 ft·lbf) of maximum torque.
Renault Clio III Facelift ( 2009- Present )
A facelifted version of the Clio III went on sale on May 15, 2009.
It features better quality materials used in the interior and is better equipped than the pre-facelift model.
It is also introduced with a new Clio GT variant, intended to slot between the regular Clio and the Clio 197.
The Clio GT has a new aggressive front end styling incorporating a black grille, extended side sills, suspension settings unique to the GT variant, and a twin tailpipe design with a lip spoiler on the rear end.
Renault Clio III also became basis for Renault Clio Gordini 200 (limited edition) introduced in the United Kingdom in 2010. Gordini 200 is equipped with 2.0L engine which develops 200 bhp. However, limited edition is priced as low as usual version.[14]
Production will stop in late 2012, due to the launch of the Clio IV.
It features better quality materials used in the interior and is better equipped than the pre-facelift model.
It is also introduced with a new Clio GT variant, intended to slot between the regular Clio and the Clio 197.
The Clio GT has a new aggressive front end styling incorporating a black grille, extended side sills, suspension settings unique to the GT variant, and a twin tailpipe design with a lip spoiler on the rear end.
Renault Clio III also became basis for Renault Clio Gordini 200 (limited edition) introduced in the United Kingdom in 2010. Gordini 200 is equipped with 2.0L engine which develops 200 bhp. However, limited edition is priced as low as usual version.[14]
Production will stop in late 2012, due to the launch of the Clio IV.