By: Jason Woosey
There's a lot to like about Renault's boldly curvaceous fourth-generation Clio, but it's let down to some degree by the fact that there are just too many gaps in the local range.
Sure, the 66kW 0.9-litre turbopetrol engine does a fine job for motorists simply seeking something economical, but there's nothing beyond that for those who can't or won't stretch to the 147kW RS version.
European buyers have been well catered for with a GT-Line model that's fitted with an 89kW 1.2-litre turbopetrol, so when our Wednesday morning inbox brought news that a Clio GT-Line was now available to South Africans, we cheered Renault on for finally making the right move. But wait, what's going on here? So the South African GT-Line is instead fitted with a slightly tweaked version of the current 0.9T? Oh well.
The little three-cylinder 'Turbo Control Efficiency' motor gains an overboost function that liberates an extra 4kW and 15Nm for up to 20 seconds in second and third gears, bringing peak outputs to 70kW at 5250rpm and 150Nm from 2500rpm. Trembling with excitement yet?
WHAT IT REALLY OFFERS
So by now it's clear that performance is not the key draw card here, but what the GT-Line does bring to the party is a whole lot of extra style. On the outside you'll spot bespoke 'GT design' front and rear bumpers, chrome exhaust tailpiece, unique 17-inch alloys and 'dark metal' coloured mirrors, door beading and diffuser. Welcoming you inside is a set of Renault Sport door sill guards. The car is also available in the 'Malta Blue' body colour, which is exclusive to GT-Line models.
As with its Dynamique sibling, there is a lot of kit in here, including an 18cm touch-screen infotainment system with built-in satnav and linked to Renault's nifty Bass Reflex door-mounted speakers. Cruise control, rain and light sensors and the hands-free Renault card with remote locking are also part of the deal as is a three-year/45 000km service plan and five-year/150 000km mechanical warranty.
But is there any method to the apparent engine madness here? If one looks at the hefty price increases that have taken place across the Clio line-up recently, likely on the back of a weak rand, Renault clearly feels that customers would not pay the premium for a bigger engine in the GT-Line. If there is one upside here, it's that the GT-Line, at R224 900, costs just R7000 more than the Dynamique version.
Though the Clio GT-Line will surely appeal to those to whom the automotive catwalk is the top priority, those wanting some sparkle under the right pedal will find that it's not much of a stretch to cars like the 92kW Ford Fiesta 1.0T Trend (R227 630) and 103kW Chevrolet Sonic RS (R233 400).
CLIO PRICES
1.2 Authentique 5dr - R167 900
0.9T Expression 5dr - R199 900
0.9T Dynamique 5dr - R217 900
0.9T GT-Line 5dr - R224 900