Renault Clio/Lutecia IV

2013 Renault Clio (Lutecia)

If I can only have a drink for the rest of my life, I want an orange juice. If I want to drive a French-made hatchback, it would be this...the Renault Clio (or Lutecia (ルノ・ルーテシア) if you're Japanese).

For over two decades, the Renault Clio is the pinnacle of the Renault lineup, making it one of Europe's top-selling cars since its launch. In case you're wondering, this is the only car that became European Car of the Year twice, in 1991 and in 2006. No other car comes close.

Although, we kinda felt disappointed that we won't be seeing either a Williams (1993-1996) or our favorite mid-engined V6 (2000 - 2005), the Clio made some stunning results from the past when treated with such outrageous results and for this new fourth-generation Clio (Lutecia), this has gone up the world.

2013 Renault Clio (Lutecia)

To further explain about this latest incarnation, I want you to imagine a simple scene down a family restaurant. Imagine there's Ritsuko and Donna having a chat. And then...Ritsuko's had enough with Donna's chatting so she gets up, she takes her outside, and Ritsuko gives Donna a bloody good hiding. That's exactly what the Clio or Lutecia did. The best supermini, according to Automóvil Panamericano, has now been regenerated to take on the likes of the VW Golf, Toyota Auris, Peugeot 308, Mazda Axela, Citroen DS4, Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and others.

The new model is...kinda look like Ritsuko Akizuki in Donna Noble's outfit but I think it looks absolutely stunning. It's better than the previous third generation Clio/Lutecia that I drove before at a video game I currently have. Aside from its new DeZir-styled nose that became the new design DNA for Renault, there is a huge change for this new generation Clio/Lutecia and wanna guess that is? There is no three-door variant! That's right! Beginning with the fourth-generation Clio, they won't be offering a 3-door Clio and NEVER WILL BE. I know this is weird and next year's RenaultSport Clio RS is now a 5-door hot hatch instead of three but why? Nobody knows why...

2013 Renault Clio (Lutecia) interior

Apart that the new Clio (Lutecia) IV now has secret rear doors just like the DS4 and the Giulietta, the interior's getting a bit well behaved and well mannered but not much of it when you look at it. What satisfies me is the new Renault R-Link telematics system which acts more like an Android smartphone and best of all, you can buy apps for the R-Link as well! It is as clever as a Samsung Galaxy Note and less complicating than the Peugeot 208's touch screen and you can't really explain why. When top-of-the-line Clio models are equipped with the R-Link, it gets even more addicting than ever because this is a million times better than other Renaults wearing its Carminarat Tomtom navi that makes no sense whatsoever.

What's new here is a world's first. It's called Renault Bass Reflex system, and it delivers the volume and listening enjoyment of a 30-litre home speaker enclosure. This has more BASS than any other car's speakers and it was based on the use of vents - or ports - in the enclosure. Sounds clever and I love that way...

2013 Renault Clio (Lutecia)

It is as clever as Ritsuko Akizuki in Donna Noble's outfit, and as sexy as a female lifeguard from Baywatch. With the introduction of Renault's brand new energy TCe 90 and TCe 120 EDC petrol engines as well as the brand new energy dCi 90 diesel engine, it is a lot more economical without the compromise. And if you were wondering what's EDC, well Renault now made a six-speed EDC dual clutch automatic transmission that shifts faster with a bit more feel. The first clutch handles 1st, 3rd, and 5th, while the second clutch handles the 2nd, 4th, and 6th. For example, you're in 3rd gear and the second clutch is preparing 4th. When you shift it to 4th, the 5th gear has been pre-selected by the second clutch and when shift it to 5th, the 6th gear's been prepared at the second clutch. That is very simple and very clever. I like that. No wonder that the next year's Renaultsport Clio 200 ditched the manual in favor of the double clutch transmission...

Amazingly, the suspension system has been reworked to make it more agile and more comfortable and with the optimised calibration of the electrically-assisted power steering, you can feel the driving force within the new Clio. Renault really know how to make the best better and hey, this is the perfect car for some 19-year old woman who works as a producer at some talent agency. Oh, don't mate with this, sunshine! You know that the new Clio not only made by the French but by Turkish! Yes! France and Turkey were the only countries to made the Clio IV and that's it.

This car is always in the tune of "Call Me Maybe" and with such improvements, not to mention the downside that is cheap materials and poor rear visibility, the Clio (Lutecia) IV is starting to win my trust. So loyal, I can now forget the DS4 and the Giulietta. If I want a European hatchback with the combination of style and functional, this is my pick. I love it.

Available Colors: Brun Ardent, Gris Cassiopee, Gris Platine, Noir Etoile, Rouge Flamme, Blanc Glacier, Jaune eclair, and Bleu de France.

PRICE LIST:

Authentique 1.2 16V 75 - 13 700,00 € TTC

Authentique dCi 75 eco2 - 16 000,00 € TTC

Expression 1.2 16V 75 - 15 700,00 € TTC

Expression Energy TCe 90 eco2 - 16 900,00 € TTC

Expression Energy TCe 90 eco2 99g  - 17 100,00 € TTC

Expression dCi 75 eco2 - 17 800,00 € TTC

Expression Energy dCi 90 eco2 90g - 18 800,00 € TTC

Expression Energy dCi 90 eco2 83g - 19 000,00 € TTC

Dynamique Energy TCe 90 eco2 - 18 000,00 € TTC

Dynamique dCi 75 eco2 - 18 900,00 € TTC

Dynamique Energy dCi 90 eco2 90g - 19 900,00 € TTC

Business dCi 75 eco2 - 18 000,00 € TTC

Business Energy dCi 90 eco2 90g - 19 000,00 € TTC

Business Energy dCi 90 eco2 83g - 19 200,00 € TTC

Photo: Renault