Great space and low price for the Renault Triber 2020 – a new budget seven-seater.

Renault’s new Triber is not a soft-roader, nor is it a hatch, according to its maker. As it has space for seven passengers, it’s a multipurpose vehicle and it slots in as an affordable family offering for budget-seeking customers who’d have gone for a Kwid instead.

Imported from India, the Triber is built on a new modular platform that’s different to the one that underpins the Kwid. It spans 3,999mm from nose to tail and 1,739mm wide. The entire Triber range, available at Group 1 Renault dealerships already, is powered by a 1.0l naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine linked to a five-speed manual. Automatic transmissions are scheduled to arrive later in the year.

According to Renault SA the motor differs from that found in the Kwid range in that it boasts variable valve timing and produces 52kW and 96kW, which is more than the 50kW and 91Nm of the Kwid.

It’s an attractive vehicle with a more elaborate frontal styling than the Kwid. The rest of it is conventional by MPV shapes but there’s some distinctive Ford Ecosport in its rear styling. It also delivers in terms of the promised usability, and head, leg and shoulder room seems generous for such a tiny MPV.

Seating arrangements are among the cleverest I’ve seen. The three-seat bench directly behind the front pair can fold flat while the rearmost seats can be easily removed from the car to enable boundless configurations to suit cargo shapes and length. Lanky people are able to fit in the rearmost bench, though for how long it is not known.

It’s also got plenty in terms of oddments with storage nooks all over the fairly well-built cabin. The seats are covered in hard-wearing but nonindustrial materials and they were quite comfy to sit on. It has a well-weighted steering wheel minus any multifunctionality buttons but adequately sized in thickness and it adjusts for height but not reach.  

The 2020 Renault Triber launches in three grades: Expression, Dynamique and Prestige, of which the latter specification was exclusively availed for the first drive.

Available amenities in the high-spec include an LED illuminated digital instrument cluster, a refrigerated glovebox, 20.3cm MediaNav display touch screen that not only beams infotainment features but the view out back when reversing, keyless entry with automatic lock and unlock, and a single USB port. It’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The safety net is in the form of ABS brakes, seat belts for seven, and driver and passenger airbags, while the Prestige model adds side airbags.

From a tech tools perspective the Triber is not found wanting that much but it’s not a similar story when it comes to its on-road mannerisms. You’ll need to rev the small engine to get it moving, an exercise that brings harsh noise to the fore, and not much of a forward shove for that matter.

It’s a motor that requires constant downchanges to keep up with national highway speed momentum and this not only makes it a laborious car to take on long trips, but also blows off Renault’s claimed fuel consumption averages of 5.5l/100km. My launch unit used 9.4l/100km while negotiating the hilly drive from Durban up towards Pietermaritzburg.

Once on the move, the front-wheel drive chassis is inclined to wallow in the corners thanks to a top-heaviness that announces itself with pronounced heaving midcorner. Uneven road surfaces also pose a problem as the car seems unable to damp out the variances, resulting in a skittishness.

Given that the Triber is meant for seven passengers, the wheezy performance of the motor left me in doubt that it can successfully execute that mandate while the behaviour of the suspension at speed makes me worry even more about its fortunes.

In reality, this new Triber is a brilliant idea in this cost-conscious market and with prices starting at R164,900 it’s likely to match the Kwid’s sales success. Keep it within the confines of the city where speeds don’t reach 100km/h and it should make for a fine soccer mom’s car.

The Renault Triber comes standard with a two-year/ 30,000km Service Plan, five-year/150,000km warranty and 15,000km service intervals.

 

 

Article source: https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/life/motoring/2020-02-20-renault-triber-a-delight-for-the-soccer-mom-with-a-light-purse/

While the Nissan Jukes and Ford Ecosports of this world might be slicing into the sales of conventional superminis, there is still a big market for these affordable compact models.

The Fiesta remains Ford’s best-seller in the UK; the Corsa as Vauxhall’s, and for Renault, it’s the Clio. It’s been a huge success story, and despite the presence of the firm’s similarly-sized Captur crossover, it’s done little to detract sales from this hatch. The opposite, in fact.

With 15 million sold since it was launched 30 years ago, as well as being the European class-leader for sales since 2013, this remains a mightily important car for Renault.

The last model looked the part, but wasn’t especially good to drive and had a sub-par interior come the end of its lifetime, so can this fifth-generation Renault Clio sort that?

If you just look at this new Clio, you could be mistaken for thinking it’s little more than a mild facelift. Renault hasn’t changed the styling dramatically and is happy to admit it. The old one still looked great, and apparently that’s why most buyers choose the Clio anyway.

Key to this new model is its new CMF-B platform, which allows it to be more spacious, as well as being available with a hybrid powertrain for the first time.

Another big change is in the interior, which feels far more upmarket, while top-spec versions feature a large 9.3-inch touchscreen, as well as the option for a 10-inch digital instrument cluster.

Buyers have plenty of engine choice with the Clio at Group 1 Renault, with petrol and diesel engine options ranging from 74bhp to 128bhp.

But our test car features the mid-range option – a turbocharged 1.0-litre producing 99bhp and 160Nm of torque. It’s not what you’d call quick, and it’s a shame the turbo doesn’t deliver a bit more zing (like it does in Ford’s EcoBoost-powered models, for example), with 0-60mph taking 11.6 seconds, while maxed-out Renault says it would hit 116mph. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox, which is pleasant enough, but let down by an overly chunky gear knob.

On the plus side, it’s very efficient, claiming to do 54.3mpg, which is easily achievable, along with CO2 emissions of 99g/km.

A Fiesta or Mini remains a more obvious choice if you’re wanting the best supermini to drive, but whether you’re looking for a town runabout or something for small motorway commutes, the Clio is a great all-rounder.

Our test car’s small 16-inch alloy wheels equate to a comfortable ride, while the Clio is also easy to place through corners with minimal body roll. We might usually complain about the Clio’s rather light steering, but as it will predominantly be a town car, it’s really a good thing as it makes it exceptionally easy to manoeuvre. One of the only things we’d like to see is a six-speed manual, which would just help to drop the revs at motorway speeds and lead to an overall more relaxed drive.

With styling being something Renault absolutely excels at, it’s not surprising that the manufacturer hasn’t really done anything radical here.

The new Clio is arguably more noticeable than before thanks to its C-shaped LED daytime running lights, while LED headlights are fitted as standard, which is something uncommon at this price point.

Just like before, Renault has tried the “make a five-door car look like it has three” look with the integrated rear door handles, while the same compact profile remains.

A sportier-looking RS Line grade serves those wanting something a bit more aggressive, too.

It’s the interior where Renault has been really making the difference, and it’s significantly better than the cheap plasticky-feeling cabin of the last car. New materials give it a more upmarket feel, while even the regular seven-inch touchscreen on our test model offers all the functions you could wish for (smartphone mirroring, sat-nav, etc). More tech is offered with the larger 9.3-inch unit and the cool digital dials, though we don’t see the need to pay extra for them when the standard setup works perfectly as it is.

Meanwhile, its 391-litre boot is the largest you’ll find in the supermini class, while rear space is generous for adults, too.

Standard kit is impressive and pretty much features all the equipment you could ask for from a supermini. While you can spend more on a top-spec model, this version here offers a great balance of equipment and affordability.

Overall this new Clio is a big step forward compared to its predecessor and makes key improvements in all the areas where it needed to – the interior and driving experience, namely.

 

It might not lead the way for driver enjoyment, but the new Clio is an accomplished all-rounder that offers great value, spaciousness and comfort. This mid-spec Iconic grade and TCe 100 petrol engine tested here is also a winning combination – offering just the right amount of performance for a car of this size, plenty of standard kit and low running costs. With all these attributes, it undoubtedly makes the Clio one of the best superminis on sale today.

THE FACTS

• Model: Renault Clio Iconic TCe 100
• Top Speed: 116mph
• Performance: 0-60mph in 11.6 seconds
• Economy: 54.3mpg
• CO2 emissions: 99g/km

Article from: https://frenchcarsfavourites.blogspot.com/2020/08/renault-clio-overhauled.html

Renault’s Sandero range has been wowing the sales charts in recent months. The addition of smartphone mirroring to the Stepway Plus top-of-the-range model gave us the chance to revisit this somewhat under-rated entry-level car.

The arrival of a Renault Sandero Stepway Plus was the cause of some surprise to us recently, as initially, it appeared that no fundamental changes had been made to the model since its launch.  After reviewing the Sandero Plus towards the latter part of 2018 with a slant towards its utility as a family car.

However, in May this year, Renault added smartphone mirroring with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility to its already impressive MediaNav system.

At the same time, we again noted the presence of the rear parking camera, always a boon on a car with a high rear tail section like the Sandero. So here was a chance to re-appraise the Sandero, which has never enjoyed much glamour status, but regularly notches up sales of above 500 a month for Renault.

Styling

Possibly one of the most telling changes to the Sandero Stepway Plus in May 2018 was to raise the ground clearance when the range was refreshed in mid-2018. The standard Sandero Expression has a ground clearance of 164 mm and this rises to 193 mm with the Stepway Plus model. Wheel size on the Stepway Plus model also increases from 15 inches to 16 inches and these two changes at once give far more credence to the Sandero’s image as a Cross Over model, rather than an entry-level hatch.

In addition, the Stepway Plus is adorned with roof rails, skid plates beneath the grille area, fog lamps, attractive alloy wheels (instead of the smaller steel wheels on the base model) and more rugged wheel arch mouldings.

All this has been quite subtly done so there is no feeling of the car having been given a quick add-on fix. In essence, the Sandero styling is pretty unremarkable, but these changes have made it quite presentable.

Inside, the interior has a surprising feel of quality. The steering wheel is leather-covered on the Stepway Plus and features a chunky, small-diameter design that is pleasing to look at and also to operate. The plastics used on the dash and door panels are pretty much of the hard variety, so not too much in the way of soft-touch surfaces. But the Renault MediaNav system is neatly integrated into the dash just below two large air vents, while the rest of the controls offer simple-to-operate functionality, especially the large rotary switches for ventilation and air-con. It is always a pleasure to hop into a car and immediately suss how to operate the flow of air into the car, rather than having to scroll through a menu!

The Drive

All Sandero models use Renault’s mainstay entry-level engine, the 66 kW three-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit displacing just under 900 cc. This engine is also used in the Clio, although it is rated at a slightly more- punchy 70 kW.

The engine works well in the Sandero thanks to 135 Nm of torque being on tap from2 500 rpm and up. Also, you immediately noticed that the car is reasonably light with an unladen weight of 1 046 kg.

The power delivery is quite smooth for a three-cylinder, and the ratios on the five-speed gearbox are well-matched to the torque delivery. So, unless you are in a tearing hurry, there is a sense of responsiveness that is easy to live with.

Ride quality:

Allied to this, the ride quality is surprisingly good. The chassis seems much more solid than you would expect by looking at the Sandero, and the raised suspension deals with heavy bumps, potholes and speed-bumps well. Importantly, there is good connectivity between the steering wheel and the road wheels, and this Renault tracks straight and true with a minimum of fuss at highway speeds.

Performance

That maximum output of 66 kW doesn’t sound like much on paper, and nor does  135 Nm of torque. But when you press on, the Sandero Stepway Plus enables a respectable 0-100 km/h time of 11,1 seconds. Top speed is perhaps less impressive at 169 km/h, but that is pretty much academic for a car of this configuration. The key to all this useable performance is, again, the low weight of the car. 

Another factor we enjoyed about the Sandero is that it is fitted with a five-speed gearbox and not a six-speed. For this type of no-nonsense people-mover, five-speeds are more than adequate when the engine’s power-band is matched to ratios that are neither too short nor too tall. Often when manufacturers fit a six-speed manual ‘box to a car they opt for impossibly tall ratios to drop the revs in sixth gear and thus improve (theoretical) fuel consumption figures. The Sandero can operate in fifth gear on the highway quite comfortably.

Fuel Consumption

Far more important than flat-out acceleration figures for a small family run-around like the Sandero is fuel consumption. A look at the datasheets reveals that fuel consumption is rated at an average of 5,2 litres/100 km. Like all manufacturers’ figures that are all but impossible to achieve in day-to-day motoring, as these tests are conducted in very theoretical, simulated conditions.  But we nevertheless averaged 6,4 litres/100 km, which is quite impressive for a full five-seater hatch. 

Again, we credit the low overall weight of the car at just over 1 000 kg with the impressiveness of these figures. They aren’t best-in-class, but the nice thing about the Sandero is you can achieve these low consumption figures by just driving the car normally because the gear ratios are so well-matched to the spread of power delivery.

Space and Comfort

As far as the interior space is concerned , the raised ride height on the Sandero Stepway Plus enables easy entry and departure from the cabin for the driver and front passenger. The rear is a little tight on legroom, although headroom is good all round. The boot is quite respectably sized rated at 292 litres. Happily- a full-sized spare wheel is fitted.

Safety 

The Sandero Stepway range achieved a moderate three-star NCAP safety rating with four stars for child safety. But in Stepway Plus form it comes with four airbags.

More importantly, perhaps, the Stepway Plus comes with an impressive array of electronic safety devices. Apart from ABS brakes it has Emergency Brake Assist which applies maximum baking efficiency automatically in emergency situations. It also has Electronic Stability Control, where the wheels are automatically braked individually to assist in arresting either front-wheel or rear-wheel skids, and traction control. Hill Start Assist is also fitted, which is always handy for pulling away easily on an uphill and not getting shunted up the rear because you have inadvertently stalled.

 Verdict

Overall, the Renault Sandero Stepway is a nice surprise. It has a modest image that has been nicely enhanced with styling and safety add-ons. But more than anything else, it is the overall feeling of good build quality that impresses, along with Renault’s innovation in equipping even its most basic models with up-to-the-minute infotainment systems that include Navigation, and now, in the case of the Stepway Plus, with smartphone mirroring.

The pricing of the Sandero range starts at R184 900 for the Expression. This top-of-the-range model, the Sandero Plus, is still very well-priced at R219 900, and that price includes a good warranty of 5 years/150 000 km. as well as a 2-year/30 000 km service plan.

It’s a very good buy for a young family, and we are not surprised that it is selling so well. Check out the Renault Sandero price and specs on Group 1 Renault’s digital showroom.

Article from: https://www.autotrader.co.za/cars/reviews/renault/sandero/renaults-sandero-stepway-plus-just-got-smarter/5657

 

With strict new emissions laws coming into place in the European Union, plug-in hybrids are starting to make a lot more sense for those that want to commute on electricity but without losing the freedom to drive longer distances when the need arises.

Not surprisingly, this form of propulsion is filtering down to the more compact end of the market, and this is where Renault is hoping to find some momentum with the new E-Tech plug-in hybrid version of the Captur compact SUV, which is also being joined by a conventional hybrid version of the new Clio hatchback.

The Captur’s drivetrain pairs a new-generation and specially adapted 1.6-litre normally aspirated engine to a pair of electric motors, one being a high-voltage starter-generator and the other taking the form of a multi-mode clutchless gearbox.

The system is fed by a 9.8 kWh, 400V battery that is said to allow a range of 48km on electric power alone, as long as the driver doesn’t exceed 137km/h, in which case the petrol engine will kick in.

The vehicle has various driving modes, including a ‘Pure’ setting that draws the full power from both the petrol and electric motors when maximum performance is needed. There’s also an E-Save mode that allows battery power to be saved if the later part of the journey is in a city centre, where petrol engines are at their least efficient.

Clio goes hybrid

As a more cost-conscious vehicle, the Clio E-Tech gets a smaller 1.2 kWh battery that doesn’t have the capacity to allow a plug-in facility, but thanks to the regenerative braking system that’s also fitted to the Captur, it can operate in electric only mode for up to 80 percent of urban driving time, according to Renault, although no all-electric range is given. All-in-all though, the Clio E-Tech should be around 40 percent more fuel-efficient than a petrol-engined car.

The Clio has the same drivetrain set-up as the Captur, combining a 1.6-litre normally aspirated engine with two electric motors, and in full power mode it’s a particularly capable overtaker, taking just 6.9 seconds to accelerate from 80 to 120km/h, according to claims.

The new Renault Clio and Captur are both due at Group 1 Renault in South Africa this year, but it’s too early to say whether the hybrid versions will ever form part of the local line-ups.

If it happened that these new models don’t come to South African shores – the Renault Captur for sale is an excellent buy, especially if you’re looking for reliable and affordable SUVs like the Captur.

Article from: https://joiedevivrevehicles.tumblr.com/post/625514551445733377/renaults-frugal-new-clio-hybrid-and-captur