18/04/2012 Richard Hammond’s top five motors

In yesterday’s Daily Mirror, Top Gear star Richard Hammond hand-picked his current top five motors. We’ve cut out a bit of waffle to take you through his top five picks.. more

09/06/2009 New Clio is ‘a joy to drive’

The latest version of the Renault Clio is likely to be a big hit with drivers, it has been suggested in the Yeovil Express.

In anticipation of its arrival at his Yeovil-based dealership, Anton K Szulc, managing director of AKS Renault, has noted that the car has already proved popular in parts of Somerset.

What’s more, given the car’s comfort, practicality and reliability, he can see no reason to believe that the Renault Clio’s success will not translate to the Yeovil area.

Commenting on the vehicle’s many selling points, Mr Szulc told the news provider: "The Clio is a joy to drive; it’s affordable, roomy and stylish and we’re thrilled that this ever-popular supermini has been given a facelift.

"The build quality is even better, the design is fantastic and it’s as at home on the motorway as it is about town."

As well as being fun to drive, the new Renault Clio is no slouch in the technology department, with options including cruise control, rear parking proximity sensor, automatic headlamp and wiper activation.

Clio 3-door and Clio 5-door versions of the car are available, with the former pitched as the sportier of the two and spaciousness listed as the main selling point of the latter.

26/05/2009 Renault Clio used for young driver safety initiative

Young drivers will get the opportunity to witness the benefits of ABS braking on a Renault Clio Dynamique as part of a strategy to improve the safety of youngsters behind the wheel.

Renault is to support CarKraft, a programme for drivers aged between 17 and 24 in Northampton, which aims to tackle the problems of car accidents in this age group.

The young drivers attended the event, which has been organised by Northamptonshire Police and County Council, will allow the motorists to learn more about accident prevention, corrective action and road safety awareness.

They will also undertake a driving assessment from a police response driver, while heading out in different driving conditions and attending indoor workshops.

Article site IEWY states that organiser PC David Lee said: "When deciding which cars to use for the practical drives, Renaults was the obvious choice. Everyone knows they are far ahead with their safety, style and looks.

"Without Renault, the event could not incorporate the practical section of the day – driving out on the public roads."

According to Renault, the Clio is also a vehicle that is "spacious with timeless elegance".

11/05/2009 Renault Clio offers more space in a supermini

Motorists looking for a larger vehicle from within the supermini segment could opt for a Renault Clio, it has been stated.

In a review of the Renault Clio Dynamique S 1.5 DCI, Malcolm Robertshaw has revealed that the latest Clio is a lot larger than its predecessor, with the cabin in particular giving the impression of a large amount of spaciousness.

Writing for the Ayrshire Post, Mr Robertshaw indicates that there is ample room for four standard-sized adults, while passengers are also given "generous" amounts of head, leg, shoulder and knee room.

Meanwhile, both drivers and passengers will be able to benefit from space in the boot, with 288 litres on offer with the seats in use and this increases to 694 litres with only the front seats occupied.

In terms of its on the road credentials, the 1.5-litre diesel engine allows the car to cruise to a 118 miles per hour top speed, while also being able to accelerate to 62 miles per hour from still in 11.1 seconds.

Overall, Mr Robertshaw highlights that the latest Clio is "much more refined and mature than its predecessor", allowing drivers to have more fun behind the wheel.

The 2009 Renault Clio is available in both three and five-door forms.

08/05/2009 Renault Clio “ticks the right boxes”

Motorists looking for a relatively standard car that will do all that is asked of it should consider a Renault Clio, according to a review of the vehicle.

Channel Four has indicated that the new Clio "ticks all the right boxes" through the inclusion of new fuel efficient engines, changes to the design and developments on the inside.

The review reveals that changes to the appearance of the vehicle can be witnessed through a more "striking" front and rear end, while the cabin has also been improved.

Motorists going on a small road trip in the Clio will note that both wind and road noise is "well suppressed", while the seats are generally comfortable.

Meanwhile, there is easily enough room on the inside to accommodate four adults, while the boot offers sufficient space for a motorist to carry a reasonable amount of luggage.

Overall, the review concluded that the latest offering is a "timely update" to the Clio range.

Another benefit of the vehicle is that it has received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, while according to Renault, it is "chic and fun".

05/05/2009 Renault Clio Renaultsport Cup is a ‘hot’ newcomer

Motorists looking for the "hottest newcomer" to the latest Renault Clio range have been told that the Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup could be just the car.

Writing for the Paisley Daily Express, Andrew Knight indicates that the vehicle is not one for those motorists whose main aim is to help the environment.

He remarks that the vehicle draws its "styling and performance from the world of Formula One" and is strong in terms of power and appearance.

On the road, Mr Knight states that the car can quicken to a top speed of 141 miles per hour, while accelerating from still to 62 miles per hour in less than seven seconds through the 2.0-litre V6 engine.

Meanwhile, the Renaultsport benefits in looks from the choice to fit it with "chunkier curves", alongside a more visible twin exhaust tailpipe.

Mr Knight concludes that additional luxury is brought to the table in the Renaultsport Cup offering in the form of aluminium pedal facings and a leather steering wheel.

However, the amount of CO2 generated by the latest Renaultsport has been improved when compared to past offerings in the range, with the latest vehicle giving out 195g/km of carbon dioxide.

01/05/2009 Two new versions of the Renault Clio Motorsport launched

Motorists have remained fans of the hot hatch version of the Renault Clio since its induction onto the market in 2000, now the Clio Renaultsport has been launched in two new versions.

In the past nine years, the Clio Renaultsport has sold 70,000 units worldwide and has appealed to drivers through being "fun to drive".

The new offerings are the Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup and Clio Renaultsport 200, which include features such as F1 style frontal aerodynamics and a rear diffuser.

Among the changes to the front of the vehicle are the development of an aerodynamic blade built into the front bumper and a new low-positioned air intake.

Meanwhile, on the inside, motorists can witness a perforated leather-covered steering wheel and comfortable seating designed with high levels of lateral support.

Furthermore, despite the latest offering being more powerful, the amount of CO2 generated has been trimmed to 195g/km, while on the combined cycle motorists can benefit from 34.4 miles to the gallon of fuel.

A review of the Renault Clio RenaultSport 200 Cup by Channel Four indicated that the car is "finely balanced, agile" and is good value for motorists.

01/05/2009 Motorists given prices for new Renault Clio range

Motorists interested in the Renault Clio Sport Tourer, three and five-door vehicles have now been given some additional information about the models.

The vehicles were launched at the Geneva motor show last month and will be available across UK showrooms from May 15th.

Renault has made the Extreme three-door the cheapest vehicle to purchase in the range, which is fitted with a 1.2-litre petrol engine generating 139g/km of CO2.

Other features of the vehicle are that it comes equipped with six airbags, front fog lights and electric front windows.

Meanwhile, at the alternate end of the spectrum is the Clio Initiale, with both the petrol and diesel versions being the most pricey.

The petrol includes a 1.6-litre engine that generates 179g/km of carbon dioxide, while the more environmentally-conscious could opt for the 1.5-litre diesel version which gives out only 123g/km of CO2.

All the vehicles under the Renault Clio umbrella have successfully been given a five-star Euro NCAP rating to give motorists an added sense of safety.

15/04/2009 Renault Clio provides motorists with ‘French pzazz’

Motorists looking for a vehicle that will offer them "French pzazz" in abundance may want to look in the direction of the Renault Clio, according to one reviewer.

Writing for the Stirling Observer, Peter Hayward has argued that although the general ride of used Renault Clios may be better, the latest vehicle has a different aim.

He suggested that the newest Clio has made more of an effort to appeal to those wanting a "supermini with style", although it is still one of the most comfortable small car options available to motorists.

Furthermore, Mr Hayward highlighted that many other perks can also be benefited from through owning a Clio, such as cheap insurance and a good fuel economy, alongside the fact the vehicle costs little to run.

For motorists opting for a Clio with a 1.4-litre engine, they will have the capability of accelerating from still to 62 miles per hour in 10.2 seconds, while being able to reach a top speed of 115 miles per hour.

The Renault Clio has also received a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

09/04/2009 Teacher wins Renault Clio from magazine

A female teacher won the "best present ever" within days of her birthday, as she scooped a Renault Clio from a competition run by a women’s magazine.

The Ellesmere Port News reports that Tara Chartres prevailed in the super draw competition run by Candis magazine.

Ms Chartres is also a mother to son Jack, six, who benefitted from the win by being bought a Nintendo Wii game from the money she made through selling her used Renault Clio.

She told the publication: "It was only two-years-old, it was also a Renault Clio in black but a three door, whereas the new one is a five door.

"I suppose you could say we’ve been upgraded."

According to Renault, the Clio is "dynamic, seductive and perfectly controlled", while having a sleek design and flowing lines.

Meanwhile, buyers of the Renault Clio 1.5 dCi Dynamique can benefit from a fuel economy of 64.2 miles to the gallon, while having the capability of reaching a top speed of 108 miles per hour.