When I first announced to my family that I had a new (serious) boyfriend, the first question my Dad asked was, ‘what does he drive?’ The status of ones car is a big deal in our household. There is even an urban myth that Mum only went out with Dad at the age of 17 because he had a car – cars are an important part of our family.
To me, a car has always been about getting from A to B, and having enough space in the back for my shopping bags. I’ve never had much of a choice in colour (apparently that whole red goes faster thing isn’t true anyways) and decisions have been made mostly based on cost and safety.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been driving a new Renault Clio, and I’ve come to discover that there are SO many more important things to consider when buying a car than just shopping space and the colour (although I’m here to tell you, the French Blue is divine and the boot is HUGE).
The new Clio is dead sexy to look at it, and a pretty sweet ride too. It’s zippy and cute and while its clearly designed for the ladies, my boyfriend was the first to grab the keys, given the opportunity. It has all the appeal of a hatch or liftback, while being ‘tough’ enough to appeal to the other half.
My nieces do their best to sell the car, while Dad checks things out inside.
One of the first things you’ll notice is the lack of back door handles (they are hidden near the window – clever aesthetics!) and the credit card sized key that starts the car with a button. This took some getting used to, as the ‘key’ fits into the centre console of the car, whereas I suspect your current or last car uses a standard key inserted to the right of the steering wheel.
There are other differences too. Being European, the indicator is on the left, and the speed is recorded on a digital display, rather than a traditional speedometer. The lights and windscreen wipers are both automatic, and the car will tell you if the person in the backseat isn’t yet wearing their seatbelt (clever!!).
Checking things out at my favourite local, Honey. Clio is great for zipping about the city!
Plus, when you leave the car – it knows! And will automatically lock when you take the key a few metres out of range. This was most excellent when I tried to carry half a dozen shopping bags, my handbag, laptop and house keys….
But the biggest difference, and most valuable thing about the Renault Clio (in my opinion!) is the fuel economy. After driving the car for nearly two weeks – close to 700kms – I was beginning to worry that perhaps the fuel gauge was broken. But no, this car simply has the most unprecedented fuel economy – even when refilling at $1.40p/L, the cost was only $52. Compared to my current car, the Renault Clio would save me a fortune in petrol costs alone.
I drove the automatic transmission model, and noted that the gear changes felt a bit like being in a manual, giving the driver the feeling of power without compromising on the environmentally friendly features of the car. A light just above the steering wheel glows green when running at its best efficiency, fading to olive, orange and yellow when you are accelerating or braking too hard.
My time with the car has been nothing short of a blast. We’ve been to the country, put up the permit sign at our block of land, had drinks, been to coffee and chauffeured people home – and to the airport! The one thing I found odd? The built in navigator doesn’t use a QWERTY keyboard. But just like it takes getting used to having the indicator on the opposite side, so too I got used to this.
Final notes? Dad approves. And really, when you are thinking about buying a new car, it’s important that your folks are on side.
Massive thanks to Renault for entrusting me with this gorgeous car for the past weeks, and to Soda Communications for making everything wonderful. Special mention to the City of Port Phillip, who took three weeks to send me a visitor parking permit, which arrived just before I returned the car. Kudos.
Read more about the new Clio by downloading the brochure here: REN11912_CLIO Brochure IV_05 Web.
I drove the new Clio Dynamique which has lot’s of bits and bobs and shiny things, and retails for $23,290.
The Clio Authentique (base model) starts at $16,790.
