CIRCULATING IN WANGARATTA, BENALLA, MYRTLEFORD, BRIGHT, MT BEAUTY, BEECHWORTH, YACKANDANDAH, RUTHERGLEN, CHILTERN AND DISTRICTS
NORTH EAST
May 16, 2013
available online - wangarattachronicle.com.au
PRINTED FORTNIGHTLY — VOLUME 448
New look Yaris Storypage3
NEW CLIO GT: It steps into the Renault range with a distinctive sporty gait.
Cocky Clio climbs into the small car ring T
hat 21st century automotive niche, the hot five-door coupe, has a new member in the shape of the Renault Clio GT, a brother to the price-point base Clio and the hot-hatch Clio RS. With three-door car sales on the slide, the latest addition to the fourth generation Clio follows the trend in deserting a three-door body for a five-door set-up with retained coupe characteristics aided by hidden reardoor handles, therefore retaining some appeal to the fewer-door fans. Buyers want the convenience of back doors so the kids can get in and out of the back seats without the parents having to leave their front seats. The all-new Renault Clio range has been lowered, is longer, wider and with an increased wheelbase over its predecessor, presenting a
By DEREK OGDEN more cocky look with handling to match. Occupants also reap the benefit, with more space, which with high quality materials in the surroundings, puts them in mind of a more expensive, premium vehicle. The new Clio variant comes in two specification levels – GT and GT Premium – powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. Surprisingly for a European car, no manual model makes it Down Under - which is a sign of the times. Sitting in the middle of the light car segment Clio GT prices start at $25,290 for the entry-level model and top out at $28,790 for the GT Premium.
A long list of options can be added to the GT, while the GT Premium is already well specced with such things as 17-inch anthracite alloy wheels, rear lip spoiler, side sills, rear diffuser, front and rear bumpers including GT bumper, steering column mounted gearshift paddles, GT badging for sports seats, leather steering wheel, Renault Sport kickplates and hands-free keycard. Sitting lower to the ground, the Clio GT looks to the hot hatch RS for its appearance. There are pronounced shoulder lines above the front and rear wheel arches, steeply raked windscreen and small side windows in proportion to the bodywork. The Renault diamond badge dominates the radiator grille, the front bumper incorporates wide-set LED lights, there’s a new design rear bumper, chrome twin exhaust tailpipes, body-
colored side protective mouldings with satin grey inserts, satin grey door mirror housings, privacy rear windows and distinctive 17-inch anthracite alloy wheels. In addition, exclusive GT badging is visible on both the front and rear of the vehicle. Sporty styling goes indoors with bolstered-sport seats, upholstered in an exclusive GT finish with GT embroidery on the head rests, snugly holding anyone with up to an average back width. Wider backs may find comfort elusive. The upper part of the soft-touch dashboard features a speckled grey finish. The leather-trimmed sports steering wheel carries GT badging and dark metal gear shift paddles are in a fixed position behind the steering wheel.
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