Electrification is gradually gaining the diamond mark. After a wide 100% electric range, the brand is launching into hybrid and hybrid-rechargeable. The Clio, its bestseller, is now equipped with a classic hybrid engine promising a reduction in consumption and emissions. We took it in hand for a first contact.
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In the alleys of the small villages of the Oise, this silent Clio attracts some puzzled looks. Until this day, the city car of the diamond had never driven without making noise. Contrary to appearances, this curious Clio is not electric but hybrid.
Complex architecture
Under the hood, there is a classic hybridization. This combines a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine of 91 hp with an electric block of 48 hp and a powerful alternator-starter. The set develops a total of 140 hp for 144 Nm of torque. A small 230 v lithium-ion battery of 1.2 kWh for 0.9 kWh useful supplied by Hitachi is placed under the trunk. It stores the energy recovered during the braking (up to 50 kW) and deceleration (up to 15 kW) phases.
It is then operated at low speed, up to 75 km / h, to move the vehicle without exhaust emissions. The Clio e-Tech Hybrid thus announces a consumption of 4.3 l / 100 km in the WLTP mixed cycle for emissions of 96 g of CO2 / km. This is slightly less than the 100 hp petrol version of the Clio, which claims consumption of 5.2 l / 100 km. We tested it on a 45.3 km loop across the Oise, made up of a third of motorway and departmental roads with many village crossings for the rest.
If the accelerations at low speed are dynamic thanks to the instantaneous torque of the electric motor, they are less caught at high speed, when the petrol unit is stressed. The 0 to 100 km / h is also announced in 9.9 seconds. The powertrain architecture is quite complex and innovative: the automatic dog gearbox is devoid of a clutch. Reports are passed with great flexibility, imperceptibly, in 15 combinations. Only the sound variations emitted by the change in speed of the petrol engine betray the passages.
Gourmet on the highway
An “EV” button placed under the on-board screen allows the driver to force the electric mode. It does not offer great freedom in zero emission since it deactivates automatically when you press too hard on the accelerator pedal or the battery level drops below 40%. We were able to travel 1.5 km at 50 km / h, from 80 to 40% battery. The function is not intended to propel the vehicle over several kilometers but rather to prevent the starting of the petrol engine in sensitive areas such as underground car parks and alleys.
On the highway, the Clio e-Tech Hybrid no longer uses its electric motor. The petrol unit only powers the vehicle as long as the accelerator pedal is pressed. It cuts when braking or decelerating, letting the regenerative braking system recharge the battery at high power. At 130 km / h with cruise control, we noted a fairly high instant consumption of 7 to 8 l / 100 km. A delicacy fortunately compensated by its sobriety on small roads. At the end of our 45.3 km loop performed at an average speed of around 40 km / h, the average consumption is displayed at 4.7 l / 100 km. This is barely higher than the WLTP mixed cycle certification.
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Preserved habitability
Beyond the engine, not much distinguishes the Clio hybrid from a conventional thermal version. Some discreetly flanked “E-Tech Hybrid” badges are present on the back and on the side uprights. Inside, the habitability has been preserved. Only the trunk loses a few tens of liters, location of the small battery requires. Its capacity is 300 liters (254 dm³ VDA) instead of 391 liters for the Clio petrol Tce100.
The fully digital 7-inch dashboard has been adapted to the technology. There is a battery gauge on the left (no percentage) and fuel on the right. In the center, the meter is encircled by a power meter encouraging to drive with flexibility. Various information may appear depending on the configuration of the user, such as a mini diagram showing the articulation of the motors in real time. The slightly driver-oriented infotainment screen is clear, responsive. In particular, it allows you to choose between three driving modes: Eco, Sport and My sense. Behind this marketing name hides a normal hybrid mode that lets the on-board computer select the best compromise between consumption and performance.
A quick control rail (EV mode, driving modes, heated seats, etc.) underlines the on-board screen. Below, the air conditioning buttons lead to two USB sockets and then the position selector. The latter includes a “B” mode which reinforces regenerative braking. It is efficient and offers a resistance almost comparable to that of an electric car. The function allows in particular a more comfortable driving when it is necessary to juggle regularly between the brake and accelerator pedal, as in town or in traffic jams.
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Weight and price under control
On the scale, the Clio e-Tech is overweight around 50 kg compared to the 115 hp diesel version and around 80 kg compared to the 100 hp petrol version. With an empty weight of 1336 kg, its weight gain is rather controlled. Just as controlled, the price of the Clio Hybrid Zen starts at € 22,600 or € 197 per month in LLD (1st rent of € 2,400 / 49 months / 40,000 km). A price similar to the Toyota Yaris hybrid with an equivalent finish but naturally higher than the petrol, LPG and diesel versions of the Clio. Note that E-Tech technology is offered from the Zen finish on the Clio unlike the Captur and Megane hybrid-rechargeable which start in high-end Intens finish.
The difference is € 2,000 with the Blue Dci115 diesel engine and € 4,200 opposite the Tce100 petrol or LPG block. A difference in price that the customer must assume alone, “classic” hybrids do not benefit from the ecological bonus. At best, the conversion bonus of 3000 € can be applied to the Clio hybrid in the event of the scrapping of an old diesel or petrol and provided that you have a tax reference income less than or equal to 18,000 € .
Just launched, the Clio e-Tech hybrid should appeal to both individuals and professionals thanks to its affordable price. If Renault believes that it is too early to reveal the volume of orders, the brand tells us that the proportion is currently balanced between these two customers.
Renault Clio Hybrid test: results
- Silence (in addition to the pedestrian warning required) in electric mode
- Good soundproofing of the engine
- The clarity of the dashboard and screen
- The price that hasn’t gone away
- A range of finishes that is not reserved for high-end
- Consumption when limited to small roads and cities
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- The lack of alternatives to petrol (it is time to launch hybrids officially accepting E85 superethanol…)
- The small operating range with EV mode. It deactivates automatically as soon as you accelerate a little too strongly or when the battery level is lower than about 40%
- Consumption on motorways at maximum speed: 7 to 8 l / 100 km!
- The absence of a hybrid-rechargeable version, which would have made this technology, which is currently expensive and reserved for larger models, more accessible.
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Photo gallery
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