Gateway Getaway Car

Not everyone who buys a car wants the most powerful and racy version that is available. Fact is, some people don't like speed; it scares them. Powerful engines and fire-breathing performance is a responsibility that many are not up for accepting. And rightly so - not everyone should accept that responsibility - yes, I'm looking at you, the fresh-faced
18-year-old who has just passed their license, and is joining the masses on the highways and byways of South Africa.

But it’s not just the novices that should shy away from the latter. Those looking to save money, be it on fuel or on insurance premiums, but who don’t want to skimp on aesthetics, will gravitate to vehicles like the new Renault Clio GT-Line – all the sporty looks, without the budget-sapping costs associated with a high-performance version.

The Clio is Renault’s best selling car, with over 13 million units sold worldwide. It’s also the best selling Renault model locally and is now in its fourth generation (we received three locally) with a facelift having taken place late last year. For 2017, they introduce the pocket-friendly but excitingly styled Clio GT-Line, based on their more powerful 88kW TCe 1.2-litre offering.

Regarded as a “gateway” car for Renault owners, the GT-Line is the natural progression from a regular Clio to a Clio RS, giving you the sporty characteristics, without all the fire and brimstone associated with the high-performance version. It’s not to say that it’s slow - it’s perhaps safer to say that it is more manageable. The GT-Line may make the same 88kW as the Expression EDC, but the torque has been bumped a little to now make 205Nm. While not the be-all and end-all, you’ll be pleased know that the GT-Line will accelerate from 0 – 100km/h in 9-seconds and will continue onto a top speed of 199km/h. More impressively though, it will return a combined fuel consumption of only 5.3l/100km, making it frugal enough to warrant spending your money on. With CO2 emissions of only 118g/km, it also falls below the Carbon Tax threshold.

It’s not all compromise though. Styling wise, the GT-Line truly does feel like an RS. The interior has been revised to include an RS leather steering wheel with a GT-Line logo insert as well as an RS “Zamac” gear knob. This spherical lump of alloy feels great in the palm of your hand and has a nice, weighted throw to it. One can’t help but want to row through the cogs with this at hand.

Blue stitching adorns the gear and handbrake gaiter while the sport seats, with extra bolster support, feature the GT-Line logo embroidered into the headrests. The blue theme continues to the air vents that receive a small dash of colour, lifting the overall look and feel of the cabin.

Tech-heads will appreciate the standard fitment of the 7-inch touchscreen MediaNav infotainment system, complete with Navigation, ECO-driving coach and multi-function capabilities. The impressive Bass-Reflex system provides a hearty, full sound, filling the cabin with your favourite tunes, in brilliant clarity.

It’s not only the interior that has been remodelled, but the exterior is unmistakably RS-inspired. The redesigned front bumper features GT-Line scoops and aggressive angles, while the Pure Vision LED-headlights provide amazing clarity, their C-shape increasing the GT-Line’s sporty appearance considerably.

The back end of the GT-Line has a redesigned diffuser element and chrome tailpiece, while the wing mirrors, side inserts and boot lid all carry the same, titanium grey theme that adorns the GT-Line-specific 17-inch alloy wheels.

Despite all of this added sportiness, the Clio still retains its remarkable safety rating. The Renault Clio is ranked as one of the 5 safest cars in South Africa and carries a full five-star Euro NCAP rating. Add the peace-of-mind standard 5-year / 150 000km warranty and the 3-year / 45 000km service plan, and you only have to worry about which colour to choose. Personally, I’m fond of the Iron Blue.       

Renault Clio 88kW Turbo GT-Line 5dr	R264 900
Renault Clio 66kW Turbo Authentique 5dr	R206 900
Renault Clio 66kW Turbo Expression 5dr	R226 900
Renault Clio 66kW Turbo Dynamique 5dr	R244 900
Renault Clio 88kW Turbo EDC Expression 5dr	R264 900