► Renault Clio long-term test diaries
► Our basic Clio meets the range-topper
► Read month 4 here
As regular readers know, I love our base-spec Clio, but it’s time to talk about a weak spot: the brakes. This is only a problem if you treat the car like a rental hatch. Which I do.
It has front discs and vented rear drums, which isn’t a prob- lem – drums are making a comeback with EVs, because (a) they work and (b) they don’t rust if you rarely use them (and you use regen braking instead).
Clearly this is not a ‘performance’ spec, nor an EV, and driving the Clio quickly you feel the brakes losing power if you lean on them like a trackday car. So, when I drive quickly, I challenge myself not to use them. Momentum is the Clio’s best friend.
Logbook: Renault Clio TCe 90 Evolution (month 5)
Price: £17,995 (£18,695 as tested)
Performance: 999cc turbo three-cylinder, 89bhp, 12.2sec 0-62mph, 112mph
Efficiency: 54.3mpg (official), 44.3mpg (tested), 118g/km CO2
Energy cost: 14.8p
Miles this month: 1090
Total miles: 5133