Road Test: Renault Clio EDC Expression 2016

If you ever pondered where the future of the mass produced car was headed, the Renault Clio EDC is an apt summary. Ten years ago you’d never dare mate a 1.2 litre turbo engine with a dual clutch gearbox. Back then the coalition would have been disastrous.

Much has changed. Today and it’s exactly the sort of setup that customers are demanding. For the most part the combination offers hassle-free driving, relatively low start-up cost and an attractive design. All of Renault’s latest technology shrunken down yet seemingly uncompromised, despite the cut down price.

The Clio EDC Expression is the new flagship in the model range and for the most part it lives up to that expectation. The 1.2-litre turbo engine thrums up front, pushing out 88kW and 190Nm and clocking 0-100km/h in 9.4 seconds. It’s one of the fastest amongst classmates. Only thorn in the partnership is the slightly high fuel consumption posted during our test, averaging out at 7.5l/100km. We did explore the revs more than most but that figure still came as a surprise.

On the road it is a fairly docile and pleasant companion becoming slightly coarse on wider throttle openings. During the road test with the Renault Clio EDC we detected a few moments of bizarre behaviour from the dual clutch gearbox which we hadn’t during the launch drive. Delays when pulling off being the most common interspersed with a dithering between engine and gearbox.

Thankfully these are few and far between and we wouldn’t go as far as saying the aloofness is unbearable, although the dual clutch cleverness isn’t always apparent. For the most part it ticks through the gears smoothly and soothes the stresses of driving. Not the most exciting package you’ll ever drive and this particular Renault Clio holds driver involvement at an arm’s length. Yet you have to admire the sophistication on offer.

Road manners are only blighted by poor braking performance ascribed to the rear drum brakes. As a result Clio can skip and hop under emergency braking, particularly if the road surface has a few undulations.

Renault Clio EDC driven in South Africa 2016

In its segment the Renault Clio is one of the more spacious offerings with a very useable boot and ample rear space. Interior quality appears good at first glance with textured panels and a gloss black centre stack. Look harder and the airvents are perhaps a bit flimsy and the screen’s graphics not as slick as Opel’s, while build quality, doorcards especially, lacks that substance of say a Mazda2.

Competitors to the Renault Clio EDC include Opel’s Corsa, the Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo, Mazda2 and the Ford Fiesta. If you can stretch the budget VW’s Polo has the best engine and dual clutch gearbox by a country mile while the Corsa and Mazda feel the newest, despite more conventional automatics and lazy performance . Where does that leave the Clio? One of the more sprightly runners for the price and evidence that the technology is no longer a bridge too far for the price. A good deal.

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