WHAT IS IT? The Renault Clio 1.4 Privilege 16v, which everyone agrees is a car which can justifiably claim to have "va va voom". Motoring hacks were extremely nice about it when the new three-door model was launched last October, and quite rightly so.
WHAT'S NEW? In this case, a couple of extra doors. The five-door comes to the market a little later. But, of course, those extra doors can destroy the visuals of a car entirely. Look at the Vauxhall Astra: the three-door is an unexpected thing of beauty while the five-door is, well, just a Vauxhall Astra. Renault have managed to keep the Clio looking cute and perky while doing the necessary to entice the young mums to buy.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? Dizzyingly diverse, as it happens. Petrol options comprise a 1.2 16v developing a weedy 75bhp; a 1.4 16v (98bhp) and a 1.6 VVT (111bhp). Diesels come in three 1.5 guises offering 68bhp, 86bhp and 106bhp. Levels of luxury go from entry-level Authentique, through Expression, Dynamique and Privilege to Initiale. Price range is from £8,995 to £15,050 on the road.
WHO IS IT FOR? Nicole and her Papa, Thierry Henry and lots of French people. Here in the UK, it is mostly for women.
WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? That 1.4 98bhp feels a bit gutless at first, but you settle into its gentle rhythm uncomplainingly. It will hustle along if you explore the upper rev range, but with this engine it's not happy as a pocket rocket. Everything about the car feels well sorted, though.
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW? If you're planning to have a crash, the Clio is a good place to be. It gets a maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP tests, making it the eighth Renault to get this accolade, and only the third supermini, one of those being the Renault Modus.
WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU BUY ONE? It's a stylish motor inside and out. Plus it's French but it's not a Peugeot.
MARKS OUT OF TEN: Seven out of 10 for the 1.4 petrol, but a grunty diesel and a cast-iron guarantee that the Clio won't break down any time soon would increase that to nine out of 10.
What do you think of the new Clio? Have your say.
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