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(Tue 12 Jan 10) Renault has announced that its most economical and least CO2-emitting car ever will go on sale later this year.
It's nothing too dramatic, being simply a Clio with the familiar 86bhp 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine, but thanks to the usual mix of higher gearing, remapping of the engine's ECU, some aerodynamic work, low-viscosity engine and transmission oils (to reduce friction) and the use of Michelin low-rolling resistance tyres, it has substantially better official combined fuel consumption of 76.3mpg, and a CO2 rating of 98g/km which exempts it from annual car tax in the UK. One problem with a lot of low-CO2 cars is that, although their running costs look good, they cost quite a lot more than their more conventional equivalents. Renault, however, is absorbing the difference, so assuming there are no increases in the next few months prices will start, as they do for the regular 1.5 dCi Clios, at £12,397. The new car will make its public debut at the Brussels Show on January 13, and will go on sale in the UK at a yet-to-be-confirmed date thereafter. Comment on this story on Facebook or Twitter. |
