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Renault Clio GT DCI 106
Earlier this year, Renault announced a raft of improvements to its Clio small car range. Ian Robertson grabs the keys to the sportiest little number, the Clio GT.
Diesel hot hatches are all the rage now, as buyers have finally realised that they don’t actually have to forsake good looks or strong performance if they want the Holy Grail that is low emissions and great fuel economy. Renault was the latest manufacturer to a launch a driver focussed, good looking hot hatch when it revised its Clio range earlier this year. The result – the Clio GT, designed to sit half way between the cooking models and the, full-fat Renaultsport Clio 200 performance flagship.
As well as adopting all of the improvements that grace the 2009 Clio range, the new GT models are treated to sporty graphite 16-inch alloy wheels, a body kit with side skirts, rear tailgate spoiler, privacy glass and twin chrome exhaust pipes. Continuing the racing theme inside, there are sports seats emblazoned with the GT emblem, drilled aluminium pedals, a bright white rev counter, and a sports leather steering wheel. Sporty and comfortable don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand, but the Clio manages to combine the two. The sports seats are supportive, and the driving position comfortable, while there’s plenty of adjustment for both the seats and the steering wheel. The dashboard is attractively designed, with lots of squidgy, soft-touch plastics, which lends a quality, durable feel. The silver embellishments to the dashboard and centre console also lift the cabin from what could be a sea of grey. The wide opening doors allow easy access to the rear, with space for two adults in comfort. Both headroom and legroom compare well with the Clio’s peers, and boot space is generous, too. One niggle concerns the design of the interior door pull.
Due to its positioning, we found that it often needed a couple of attempts to get sufficient leverage to close the door. Most rivals get around this by offering a second door pull, within the drivers door armrest, making things considerably easier. Unusually for a supermini, the Clio GT has a six-speed gearbox as standard, whereas most of its rivals settle for just five. Its action is positive, and well matched to the smooth 105bhp 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine. Refinement is impressive and noise levels are low, both in terms of engine and road noise. On winding roads, the Clio handles well, with a poised chassis and plenty of grip. As you would expect with a car carrying the GT moniker, the suspension is tuned for sportiness, rather than outright comfort.
Price wise, the Clio is sits at around the same levels as its main rivals, and packs plenty of standard equipment. The only car to break ranks in terms of price is the SEAT Ibiza Sport, which has a £2,500 lower asking price, despite having a similar power output from its new 1.6-litre commonrail turbodiesel engine. Our Clio GT test car came equipped with a few factory fitted options, namely climate control, keyless entry, and a TomTom satellite navigation unit. The last item is new to the Clio range and operates in exactly the same way as the company’s familiar portable units. Instead of being touch screen, though, a small remote control unit is used to navigate around the screens.
Pros
Great looks, fun to drive, good quality, smooth and refined engine, five-star EuroNCAP safety rating
Cons
SEAT Ibiza costs £2.5k less, awkward design of the door pull, ride can be overly firm at times.
Engine: 1461cc, 4-cylinder, turbodiesel
Gearbox: 6-speed manual
Max power: 105bhp at 4,000rpm
Max torque: 177lb ft at 2,000 to 2,500rpm
Max towing weight: 1,200kg
Max speed: 118mph
0-62mph: 11.1secs
Combined consumption: 61.4mpg
CO2 emissions (taxband): 123g/km (D)
Loadbay: 288/1,038litres
Insurance group: 5
Another review of the GT diesel from Car magazine issue 571 (conflicting with other reviews!):
Renault Clio GT Diesel: Well Oiled (4/5 star rating)
A couple of small niggles can't disguise the fact that this is a fine car. You've got comfy seats, plenty of headroom front and rear for those six-feet plus, and it's easier to see out of than the Megane hatch. The 1.5-litre diesel serves up a juicy sweet spot from 2000 to 3000rpm that encourages you to work the chassis in an unrushed manner, and the meaty steering ensures you have faith in the pointy front end. It's a surprisingly involving drive.
Niggles? The engine's a little coarse when worked hard, and the otherwise supple chassis can become jagged over secondary jinks. There's also the fact that the similarly excellent petrol is nearly £1k cheaper, so make sure the maths add up before you overlook it.
Owners opinion having owned both
My company car is a Clio GT DCI 106 and i have also had a petrol GT before that. For me the diesel is better just because of the fuel economy but the petrol is more fun sounds good to. the ride and handeling of the gt is good, it holds the road very well and the ride is quite firm but not uncomfortable. one thing i do really like is the interior, its got the same seats as the 200 but they are half leather and you also get the renaultsport steering wheel which are really nice touches. overall its a good second choice to the 200
