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Renault Clio III
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 2 June 2005 | 
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In September, Renault will present the achievement of the X 85 program, i.e. the new Clio. Sharing its platform with the Nissan Micra, this new supermini will be built in Renault’s Turkish plant of Bursa, for which the French carmaker has invested € 216 million.
With a 15-centimeter increased length, the Clio III should provide a slightly better accommodation than its predecessor. Renault targeting a 5-star score at the EuroNcap, a part of this increase will be dedicated to shock-absorbing zones.
As a consequence, the Clio III will be heavier. To cope with this, more powerful engines are planned. The weak 1.2 8V must disappear while the 1.5 dCi’s power will rise up to 110bhp and the 1.6’s to 115bhp. Besides, a new 143bhp block is to be introduced.
To crown it all, an RS version fitted with a turbocharged 2.0-litre 200bhp engine coupled with a 6-speed gearbox should be launched in the mean time (see our picture).
Following Peugeot’s example, Renault has decided to endow the Clio with a foldable hard-top late 2007.
We can expect nice fights in the supermini category, for the new Clio, Punto, Corsa and 207 will all be presented in a few months’ time.
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