Unlike most hybrid city cars that are currently on the market, the Clio does not receive a mild "mild-hybrid" hybridization, but a real "full hybrid" system capable of running 100% electric in certain situations, in the manner, to quote the best known example, of the Toyota.
Self-recharging
This Clio E-Tech is thus equipped with 3 engines, since the 1.6l petrol of 91 ch (67 kW) borrowed from Nissan is completed by two electric units: a high voltage alternator-starter of 15 kW (20 ch) and an engine 35 kW (48 hp) electric. Depending on the conditions, the latter is therefore capable of driving the front wheels alone for a few kilometers, thanks to its 1.2 kWh battery. This can be recharged by the energy recovered during braking, optimized thanks to the "Brake" regeneration mode of the gearbox, or by the internal combustion engine. But not being a rechargeable hybrid (that will be for the Megane and Captur, we will tell you about it soon), no question here of recharging from the mains.
The Clio E-Tech offers three operating modes. The "big" electric motor and the petrol unit can work individually, or the 3 motors can work together in the event of heavy load. The cumulative power of the system then reaches 140 hp, which makes this hybrid version the most powerful Clio of the moment. The architecture also ensures that the electric motor continues to "push" during the gearshift phases, since the Renault is fitted with a classic automatic gearbox, not a continuously variable CVT. In short, the accelerations are perfectly linear.
Real savings!
And since the restarts are systematically in electric mode, the smoothness really prevails on the road, even if everything is not yet perfect. The transition between petrol and electric engines is sometimes still too noticeable and too audible in normal use. But the engineers assured us that it was precisely on this point that their last development efforts were concentrated and that all this would be quickly erased.
This Clio E-Tech is naturally one of the most virtuous in the range, displaying less than 100 gCO2 / km according to WLTP standards. The gain in consumption could thus reach 40% compared to an equivalent heat engine, and even more on essentially urban journeys where, according to Renault, the Clio would be in electric mode 80% of the time. And it is true that the city car tends to spontaneously shut down its heat engine as soon as the conditions lend themselves to it ... and above all to stay fairly easily in 100% electric mode as long as the charge of its battery allows it (3-4 km maximum). The approval is therefore there and the fuel economy, very real. During our test, the on-board computer stabilized on an average of 4.6 l / 100 km. Excellent value for a period during which the air conditioning was running at full speed!
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The Renault Clio E-Tech in a few figures
- Engine: 4 cylinder, petrol hybrid, 1,598 cc; 140hp; 144Nm
- Transmission: to front wheels
- Transmission: 4-speed automatic + 2-speed automatic (electric)
- L / W / H (mm): 4.050 / 1.798 / 1.440
- Curb weight (kg): 1.238
- Boot capacity (l): 391
- Tank (l): 39
- 0 to 100 km / h (sec.): 9.9
- Maximum speed (km / h): 180
- Consumption. Mixed: 4.3 (WLTP)
- CO2: 96 g / km (WLTP)
- Price: 22.600 €
- Toyota
- Nissan
- Renault
- Automobile