 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Jaybeezine
Clio Sport Tourer
Clio Sport Tourer packs versatility and appeal, with features that set it apart from the hatchback model. This new car meets the expectations of motorists looking for a car that combines dynamic design with generous loading space.
At 4,202mm long, Clio Sport Tourer is one of the most compact estate cars on the market. It’s true to the Clio III style, with its emphasis on vitality and driving pleasure.
Clio Sport Tourer adapts effortlessly to different situations and usages - outdoor leisure pursuits, sports events, family outings, etc. – thanks to its generous loading space of 439 dm3 (50% more than Clio III hatchback), 60:40 split-folding rear seat and removable boot floor which frees up a perfectly flat loading surface. And like all models in the Clio III family, Clio Sport Tourer has a welcoming, well-finished interior, and ride comfort evocative of a much larger car.
The suspension, which is derived from that of the Clio III hatchback, combines comfort and handling. Clio Sport Tourer is built on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s B platform, and full UK prices/specification will be announced nearer to its launch in Spring 2008.
In June 2005, Clio III hatchback earned the top five-star rating in tests performed by the independent testing organization EuroNCAP. Clio Sport Tourer was developed using the same basic structure and enjoys the full benefit of Renault’s extensive know-how in the realm of vehicle safety.
This high-appeal model is a part of the Renault Commitment 2009 plan and joins three other models currently made at the Bursa plant in Turkey: Mégane II Sport Saloon, Clio Symbol/Thalia (Clio II Sedan) and Clio III hatchback.
Clio appeal
Clio Sport Tourer is a compact estate car that meets customers’ expectations for a manoeuvrable car combining personality and practicality. Its appealing profile, as sleek as any hatchback, hints at true driving pleasure, while the inclined rear windscreen and flowing lines suggest the car’s leisure-vehicle aspirations. As on all Clio III models, the passenger compartment is welcoming, comfortable and well-finished.
Flowing, dynamic lines
Clio Sport Tourer is one of the most compact estate cars on the market; just 4,202mm long. It has the same wheelbase as the hatchback (2,575mm), with a rear overhang that is 216mm longer. Vitality and driving pleasure are expressed through coherent styling features such as the sloping tailgate, extended glazed surface and third side window. Yet the neat rear window design, tailgate, aerodynamic roof trim and profiled roof rails (in black or satin chrome finish, depending on version) declare the car’s leisure vehicle aspirations.
Welcoming interior
As is the case with the hatchback, driver and passengers enjoy a smart, comfortable interior inspired by the Touch Design concept, with a sensation of warmth and refinement rarely found in this category of vehicle. The dashboard and central console are shaped in smooth, attractive curves. The “squash-ball” air vent controls are soft to the touch and very easy to use. Under the dashboard cowl the instruments are clear and legible. The separate sound system display is neatly designed as an integral part of the dashboard. The impression of space and comfort is further enhanced by an electric panoramic sunroof, almost bringing the pleasures of open-air motoring. The generously sized sunroof (1.29m long by 0.86m wide) is made up of two flush panels, an opening panel at the front and a fixed one at the rear. The opening panel is operated by a one-touch rotary control, and there’s an automatic anti-pinch function.
Large, practical boot
Clio Sport Tourer packs versatility and appeal, with features that set it apart from the hatchback model. Clio Sport Tourer adapts effortlessly to different situations and usages - outdoor leisure pursuits, sports events, family outings, etc. - with its generous loading space, asymmetrical split-fold rear seat, and removable boot flap which frees up a perfectly flat loading surface.
50% bigger loading capacity compared to Clio III
With its long rear overhang of 822mm (216mm longer than on the hatchback), Clio Sport Tourer has one of the largest boots in its category: 439dm3 (under shelf, without removable cover) which is more than 50% bigger (151dm3) than Clio III hatchback. The asymmetrical split-fold rear seats free up additional loading space up to 1,277dm3 (up to ceiling; 239dm3 more than the hatchback). With the smallest rear seat section folded down, Clio Sport Tourer can carry four people plus leisure equipment up to 1,450mm.
Practical removable floor
Boot access is exemplary, owing to the shape of the rear bumper and the very low sill height (581mm). With its removable floor, the boot adapts readily to different uses. When fully folded out it forms a flat surface ideal for loading heavy or bulky items.
The rear seats can be folded down without having to remove the headrests; you just fold the seat base then the seat back rest. Clio Sport Tourer also solves the annoying problem of what to do with the rear shelf when you remove it: on Clio Sport Tourer, there’s a special compartment for it under the removable boot, so you don’t have to take it out and store it in the garage. With the shelf in place, this compartment can be used for items such as maps or umbrellas. By removing the removable flat floor, the boot capacity can be increased by a further 72dm3. With a loading width of one metre between the rear lamp units, the boot easily accommodates all types of luggage and equipment.
For safe use of full loading capacity up to the ceiling, an optional luggage restraint net can be fitted either behind the rear seat or behind the front seats (with the rear seats folded down).
New standards in interior space and comfort
In common with all the models in the Clio III range, Clio Sport Tourer boasts the comfort and spaciousness of a larger car. With its welcoming, well-finished interior, this smart Sport Tourer offers excellent comfort.
A benchmark in interior space
Like Clio III hatchback, Clio Sport Tourer has the highest overall interior space index in the B segment. Shoulder width is 1,380mm for the front seats and 1,343mm for the rear. And the impression of space is further enhanced by the generous headroom. Vertical reach in the rear seats measures 866mm, while knee-room is a generous 162mm.
Priority to driver and passenger comfort
The Clio III range gives priority attention to driver and passenger comfort. Cabin ergonomics are among the best in this vehicle category, with features such as a height-adjustable steering wheel (plus reach adjustment on certain versions). The seats achieve an excellent trade-off between comfort and support. The seat adjustment controls are located for convenient, intuitive access. And the adjustable seat height means that drivers of all shapes and sizes are sure to find an optimally comfortable driving position. Rear-seat passengers also enjoy a superbly comfortable ride, with specially shaped seats and optimized foam density ensuring excellent lateral support. The rear bench is available in one-piece and asymmetrical split-fold versions.
Effective soundproofing
Vehicle acoustics on Clio Sport Tourer (in common with the Clio III range as a whole) are way ahead of the norm for this vehicle category. Body structure soundproofing effectively filters out engine, transmission and road noise. Engine rumble and low-rev resonance are reduced by the use of spring-mounted tailgate stops. Considerable attention was paid to acoustic insulation between the engine and cabin and to minimising wind noise.
Driving pleasure and fuel economy
Clio Sport Tourer's platform is derived from that used on Clio III hatchback which was widely acclaimed for its comfort. All models in the Clio III range are built on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s B platform, renowned for its reassuring handling and roadholding.
Inherent tourer qualities
Like Clio III hatchback, Clio Sport Tourer achieves an exemplary combination of precise handling, ride comfort and safety. In designing Clio Sport Tourer, Renault engineers went to great lengths to meet the most demanding motorists’ expectations for safe, consistent, pleasurable driving response, even with the vehicle heavily loaded or at high speed. The suspension damping on Clio III hatchback was specially adjusted for Clio Sport Tourer which combines high-precision steering with excellent filtration of vibrations and noise. The MacPherson-type front suspension features a rectangular lower arm and effectively separates longitudinal and transversal forces to achieve superb road-holding and comfort.
The rear suspension is based on a programmed-deflection torsion-beam with coil springs. For enhanced control of body-roll, Clio Sport Tourer's anti-roll bar is thicker (21mm) than that of Clio III hatchback, while the dampers and wheel travel have been adjusted to the heavier vehicle weight. Clio Sport Tourer has variable-assistance electric power steering as standard, with all the control units and software found on the hatchback specially calibrated for crisp, smooth steering. The between-kerbs turning circle is the same as with Clio III hatchback (10.3m to 11.3m, depending on engine and wheel size). Clio Sport Tourer is available with two wheel sizes: 15-inch wheels in two widths (165mm and 185mm) and 16-inch wheels (195mm).
Safety in its genes
Clio III hatchback obtained the top five-star rating in the crash tests performed by the independent testing organization EuroNCAP in June 2005. Clio Sport Tourer was developed on the same platform and enjoys the full benefit of Renault’s know-how in the realm of vehicle safety. Excellent active safety is achieved by the advanced suspension. And the car comes with Renault’s third-generation System for Restraint and Protection (SRP3) along with a wealth of equipment for enhanced comfort and safety, such as a tyre pressure monitoring system and cruise control with speed limiter.
Active safety
Like Clio III hatchback, Clio Sport Tourer is easy to drive, with precise response. The chassis and suspension have been designed for consistent response with very low sensitivity to the type of road surface, crosswind conditions, braking and acceleration. The 21mm diameter anti-roll bars perform effective roll control. Braking is powerful and precise. Brake discs are generously sized (diameter 260mm at front, 240mm rear; thickness 22mm at front, 8mm rear). Clio Sport Tourer has all the latest driver aids featured on Clio III hatchback. Standard equipment includes latest-generation Bosch 8.0 ABS with electronic brake distribution and emergency brake assist. Then there’s optional ESP with understeer control. For pullaway, traction control can be switched in from the ESP disable control, after which ESP will switch back on automatically when the vehicle speed reaches 30mph, or the next time the engine is started. A drag torque control function prevents locking of the drive wheels if the throttle pedal lifts too suddenly or if the car decelerates sharply on a slippery road surface.
Passive safety: uncompromising protection for all passengers
Clio III hatchback earned a top five-star rating in the crash tests performed by the independent testing organization EuroNCAP in June 2005. Clio Sport Tourer is built on the same platform and fitted with Renault’s third-generation System for Restraint and Protection (SRP3), for optimum protection of vehicle occupants wherever they are sitting. The car's structure is made of steels and other materials that absorb and spread impact energy as efficiently as possible. Outer body parts at the front, side and rear are designed to crumple progressively under collision, minimizing the consequences of the impact on occupants. The cabin, on the contrary, is designed to be as rigid as possible in order to serve as a survival cell, resisting intrusion of any parts from the engine compartment.
The front seatbelts on Clio Sport Tourer are fitted with pyrotechnic pretensioners for optimum body support under collision conditions. Internal load limiters calibrated at 400daN minimise the risk of thorax injury. A second pretensioner controls the tension on the lap belt to hold the occupant firmly against the seat for effective pelvis protecttion and prevention of the phenomenon known as submarining.
Depending on version, Clio Sport Tourer comes with up to six airbags: two high-efficiency auto-adaptive front airbags, and two lateral and two curtain airbags. Protection under frontal impact is further enhanced by other features such as the crumple magnesium steering wheel frame and the passive-retraction steering column, which reduces the distance between driver and steering wheel.
The outermost rear seats have internal load limiters and pyrotechnic reels (standard or optional, depending on version) and all three rear seats have anti-submarining within the cushion. The rigid seatbelt buckles are vertically positioned.
