Renault Clio/Lutecia IV Estate

2013 Renault Clio Estate

Couple of months has passed since the Renault Clio/Lutecia IV has arrived in the European market and I am starting to think this is the better looking Clio to date not only because it comes with Renault's new corporate look but it's because of the tech-savvy features including the Renault R-Link feature that lets me connect to music, navigation, and other points of interests I'm particularly interested in. For this new model, the new Clio targets the Astra, the Golf, the new Seat Leon, and other hatchbacks from its category and with the starter price of just 13,700 Euros, this new model is a bargain of its own right.

Come to think of it, there are some customers who want to put something more at the but, say a kayak or some camping equipment or tons of grocery shopping or any other heavy duty stuff to consider, seems that the new Clio IV's boot space just wasn't enough. Also, what if they need something a bit family-oriented, something that brings a typical French family to an average weekend trip to grandma's house or a knick-knack shop or a bungalow or any other destination the dad might consider? Well, there's an additional variant you might be interested in...the Estate version...

Even though it's a sports wagon version of the highly addictive Renault Clio IV it still comes with the tech-savvy features, especially the Renault R-Link feature for some connectivity pleasures for the driver who loves the techie in himself. This is just like when the kid-in-himself likes a delicious bowl of cereal while the grown up-in-himself likes the kid-in himself. Need to state the point again? Ahem, "the kid-in-me likes this bowl of cereal but the grown-up-in-me likes the kid-in-me". He he he he....

Besides, engine choices from the hatchback version carried on to the estate version, meaning I can expect a 0.9 12v Energy TCe, a 1.2 16V 75, a 1.5 8v dCi 75, or a 1.5 8v Energy dCi 90 engine, all being mated with a standard 5-speed manual transmission, which sounds to be desperate for a family-friendly station wagon version of a Clio.

Anyway, about the Estate version, this model's thirty percent bigger than the already much-roomy hatchback model and the sill has been made significally lower. With the combination of both the cargo area's flat floor and the foldable front passenger seat, the Clio IV Estate has a good load length, more than enough to carry a kayak or some camping equipment or tons of grocery shopping or any other heavy duty stuff to consider. I mean, not only this was made for the average French family but, it's made for those who really want to experience the great outdoors or even a Spring Break if you have buddies coming with you.

I mean yes, this new Clio Estate is a versatile and practical car for the Traveler's Tales, a car only someone who has a taste of poetry, art, and science can be seduced by such beauty of the new Clio's overall design. Sure, the hatchback's design of the Clio/Lutecia IV is a winner for me but the station wagon's look need to be a bit more sophisticated than its new and upcoming rivals from the block. It's an affordable car with some inner fancy living that tickles your fancy but still, I would rather wait for the upcoming Renaultsport Clio 200 because this kid ain't BOVVERED! Is it bovvered? Is it bovvered, though? Look at its face! Is this face bovvered? Face? Bovvered? It ain't BOVVERED! He he he....

Photo: Renault