Clio is a swaggering charmer

The latest Clio is a bundle of fun to look at and to drive.

Since its debut at the Paris Motor Show in 1990 the trophies on its mantel piece include 1991 and 1993 European Car of the Year titles and the 2000 South African Car of the Year title followed by SA Car of the Year finalist in 2006 and 2007, plus the 2012 Golden Steering Wheel Award in Germany for the Small Cars category, European Car of the Year Finalist 2013, Best Production Car of the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Top 3 Most Beautiful Car of 2012 Awards and the 2013 World Design Car of the Year Finalist.

Quite the looker

The bad news for all its B-segment competitors is that the latest Clio 4 is even better in many ways than its predecessors are. It's lower, wider, and longer and in the looks department it is also way ahead of all the other contenders in this segment by a long shot.

Longer, leaner ... and lekker!

While main players such as the VW 1.4 Polo Comfortline and the Kia Rio 1.4 TEC will no doubt continue to dominate sales, the Clio also beats them both at the cash register by a good few thousand Rand which elevates it into an even more appealing value for money package.

I recently spent a week in this nifty little French chariot and I was completely charmed by its looks, the way it handles, the cheeky way its engine growls when you show it the whip and the way-out styling of its living quarters.

A little less nippier than expected

But one thing has to be said from the outset - it is a bit of a sheep in wolf's clothing because its go doesn't come close to matching its show. In fairness, the tiny 898cm turbocharged three-cylinder is quite willing and while its 0-100km/h sprint time is slower than its two main competitors it beats the Polo on top speed and is just 1km/h slower than the Kia.

The tiny 898cm turbocharged three-cylinder is quite willing.

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I was a tad disappointed mainly, I suppose, because it looks so sexy and I was expecting it to be nippier after recently having driven Ford's new 1-litre Fiesta GTDi which is considerably livelier than the Clio with a sprint time of 11 seconds and a top speed of 196km/h.

But the Renault doesn't disappoint when it comes to handling: the steering is quicker and more direct than the previous model and the suspension has been firmed up without too much sacrifice to ride comfort.

The five-speed manual shift is smooth and a pleasure to use and finding a comfortable driving position is easy. Although the Clio has been stretched slightly the cabin is still relatively compact with four up and although the luggage space has also been enlarged this is done at the sacrifice of a spare wheel.

'Look at ME!'

The five-speed manual shift is smooth and a pleasure to use and finding a comfortable driving position is easy.

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But these factors all become less important when the topic of styling comes up because the Clio is a real little head-turner that will appeal to the young and trendy.

It is a real boulevardier that shouts "Look at ME!" with its large diamond logo dominating its front, evil narrow headlights, LED running lights and sneering black air intake, sportingly off-set by slashed black side boards and a high-mounted spoiler to finish off its cocky derriere.

Our flame-red test car got many an appreciating look in shopping mall parking lots and even became the focus of a couple of drive-past phone cameras.

I loved its interior, all shiny black and with slashes of silver chrome look-alike bits, red instrument indicators, and dark upholstery it oozes youthful zestiness.

The interior oozes youthful zestiness.

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The Clio 4 is available in two specification levels so it is important to weigh up the R10,000 difference in price tags between the R169,900 Expression and the R179,900 of the Dynamique and the different standard equipment that comes price-inclusive the two versions.

Things to consider include the Bluetooth connectivity of the MP3 infotainment system, satnav, sound systems although the general specification levels of both models are impressive.

The latest Clio is a bundle of fun to look at and to drive. On one stretch of my test drive in the Clio I was listening to the old rocket Rod Stewart's latest album "Time" on which he belts out "She Makes Me Happy" which could have been composed specially for new Clio owners because it's going to put big smiles on their faces.

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