From number 15 in the B-hatchback segment in the South African automotive market, to a spot in the top five in 2013; this is Renault South Africa’s (SA’s) ambition for the new Clio, says marketing and communications VP Fabien Payzan.

Payzan’s optimism comes on the back of a strong performance in left-hand-drive markets, where the Clio4 was launched in October last year. By the end of March, more than 100 000 Clios had been sold.

In Europe sales of the new Clio model were up 25% by the end of February 2013 compared with the same period last year. The vehicle achieved number one position in the B-hatchback segment in markets such as France, Turkey and Belgium.

To achieve a position in the top five in the South African right-hand-drive market means that Renault would have to take on the likes of the crowd-pleasing Polo, Yaris, Fiesta, Rio and i20 models, and sell around 300 Clios a month.

Payzan says Renault SA is aware that the local arm of the French manufacturer needs “a good recipe, a solid, serious model” to achieve its goals, but believes that the new Clio can deliver the goods.

Competitive advantages include – says Renault – Clio’s price point, its sporty design, as well as the list of extras available on the vehicle, which offers a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Pricing for the Clio starts at R149 000, with the all-new stop-start, 0.9 l, three-cylinder 66 kW turbo engine making its debut at R169 900 in the Expression model – which Renault SA expects will make up 50% of all Clio sales. (The bottom of the range Authentique model makes use of the old 1.2 l engine.)

The new Clio’s look is derived from the 2012 DeZir concept car, and has a coupé-like silhouette, with integrated rear door handles concealed close to the rear-quarter lights. It also has a lower ride-height with more pronounced shoulder lines and a prominent display of the Renault logo on the radiator grille than its predecessor.

Standard features on all models include cruise control with speed limiter; emergency brake assist; antilock braking; electronic stability control; four airbags; LED daytime running lights; electric front windows; electric defrosting wing mirrors; Bluetooth connectivity for audio streaming; hands-free telephony; USB connectivity; an onboard computer; the new Bass Reflex sound system; use of a Renault keycard to start the vehicle; and hill-start assist – but no air-conditioning on the base model.

Go one step up and the Expression model adds air-conditioning, as well as an onboard, touchscreen navigation system, among other features.

Here the 66 kW turbo engine also delivers 135 Nm of torque at 2 500 rpm, with 90% of this figure available from 1 650 rpm, but with the frugality associated with its smaller size. Fuel consumption is a low 4.5 l/100 km, says Renault SA, with carbon dioxide emissions at 105 g/km.

Aiding this figure is the fact that the new Clio is around 100 kg lighter than the previous model.

The three new Clio variants come standard with a 5-year/150 000 km mechanical warranty, a 3-year/45 000 km service plan and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty.

In 2012, the entry-level Sandero, with its range-topping Stepway, along with the Megane, accounted for 80% of Renault SA’s 10 000 unit sales.

By the end of 2013, Renault SA hopes to have two more strong model ranges in place, the first in the form of the new Clio, and the second the Duster sports utility vehicle, built on the same platform as the Sandero.