Renault's Comeback Kid

After numerous delays, the Renault Clio V has finally launched on local soil. Was it worth the wait?

- Alex Shahini

Price: R349 900 Engine: 1,0-litre, three-cylinder, turbopetrol Transmission: 5-speed, manual Power: 74 kW Torque: 160 N.m 0-100 km/h: 11,8 sec Top speed: 187 km/h Fuel consumption: 5,7 L/100 km CO2 : 132 g/km Rivals: Ford Fiesta, Hyundai i20, Mazda2, Opel Corsa, Volkswagen Polo

+ added refinement and tech, supple ride and engaging chassis - as with most small turbo-triples, it suffers from turbo lag

The COVID-19 pandemic and the semiconductor shortage have turned the automotive industry on its head. Unfortunately, the Renault Clio V has been a victim of this as its local introduction was significantly delayed. Its original global debut was in 2019, which means this model is essentially already in its third year of production globally.

The Clio is one of the most iconic in Renault's portfolio. It has evolved over five generations and 32 years, and sold a total of 15 million units across the world. It is the definitive French B-segment hatchback and, if the fourth-generation Clio was anything to go by, this long-awaited newcomer has some rather big shoes to fill.

South Africa's story with the French supermini started only with the second-generation back in 2000, but with over 76 700 units sold since, it is safe to say it has earned itself a respectable presence in the local market. Almost half of this number is represented by the Clio IV, at 34 800 units since sales commenced in 2013.