Review of the new Renault Clio dCi86 ECO2

Worthy of its place alongside the greenest superminis it's currently possible to buy, the Renault Clio dCi 86 Eco2 takes a low key approach to saving the planet. There's little externally to suggest that this car can return 76mpg and emits only 98g/km of CO2 but it does and only a select few rivals can match it.

It will be interesting to see just how low the CO2 emissions of modern cars can go before they can go no lower. At that point, some means of propulsion other than the good old internal combustion engine might be the only way to progress our vehicles towards ultimate greenness. Renault has planned for just such an eventuality with the range of electric cars it has under development but while they glide unerringly towards production readiness, it's also pushing the boundaries of the available technology with cars like the latest Clio dCi 86.

There has been big progress in the field of vehicle efficiency in recent years. It began when governments started taking the threat of global warming seriously and imposing legislative structures to make greener cars more affordable to run (or non-green cars more expensive). The manufacturers quickly realised that a consumer demand for low emissions cars was being created and where there's consumer demand there's profit. They all piled in.

The result has been a vast reduction in the amounts of fuel consumed and emissions produced by modern cars. As recently as the year 2000, the best economy and lowest emissions you could get from a Renault Clio was 54mpg and 139g/km from the 1.9-litre dTi diesel model. That was from a car 240mm shorter, 100mm narrower and 200kg lighter than the current third generation car is today. Despite its comparative bulk, the modern Clio dCi 86 Eco2 can achieve 76mpg economy and emissions of less than 100g/km. That's progress.

The basis for the Clio's assault on the market's most fuel efficient superminis is its 1.5-litre dCi common-rail injection diesel engine. The unit has been around in the Clio and numerous other Renault products for some time but has been incrementally improved and has consistently figured amongst the best small diesel engines on the market. Here, it's developing 86bhp, enough to get the Clio from 0-60mph in 12.7s and on to a 12.7mph top speed. Even more useful is the 200Nm maximum torque that's generated at 1,900rpm. This might be the most efficient Clio but it will feel far from underpowered and performance stacks up well compared to other super-green superminis.

"The dCi 86 goes beyond the call of duty with its 76.3mpg economy and 98g/km emissions.."

Helping with this Clio's drive for greater parsimony is a long ratio gearbox which is made less of a hardship because of the muscular engine's ability to drive those larger cogs. There's also a purpose-designed engine management programme designed to enhance economy and special low-viscosity lubricants to minimise friction in the engine and gearbox.

The neat styling of today's facelifted Clio III isn't sacrificed to aid the dCi 86 model's aerodynamics. A flexible lip spoiler under the front bumper is longer by 15mm and there are extension flaps on the liners of the front wheelarches but there's nothing that you'd really notice to mark this out from any other Clio. Low energy consumption tyres from Michelin are also fitted.

The front end of the Clio is markedly more aggressive these days with the sharp lines of the air-intake and the headlights combined with the thin, smirking grille. Beneath the skin, Renault has focused on increasing refinement on the Clio and today's model features upgraded sound-deadening measures to combat engine, transmission and wind noise. The occupants should have a pretty cushy time of it because the Clio also continues to set the standard for supermini cabin space with its impressive rear head and leg room along with a generously proportioned boot of 288 litres.

Renault is making the modifications present on the Clio dCi 86 Eco2 models available at no increase in price over the previous car which used an unmodified version of this engine. When the various cost savings associated with this efficient vehicle are factored-in, that should make for pleasantly low ownership costs. Rival models vying for the attention of customers prioritising low costs are commonplace but the Clio should be strong enough to hold its own. The Ford Fiesta Econetic, Vauxhall Corsa ecoFLEX and Skoda Fabia Greenline are all pitched at a similar market but charge more for their eco-tweaks.

Small cars are no longer the simpletons of the automotive world. These days they can come packed with technology and clever thinking of the sort reserved for larger and more expensive models just a few years ago. The amount of kit you get depends upon your choice between basis Extreme and plusher Expression trim levels. The Clio is available with an integrated Carminat TomTom navigation system which even gives information on traffic problems, speed restrictions and speed camera locations. Elsewhere, buyers can specify cruise control, an automatic speed limiter, cornering lights that swivel to illuminate the road, parking sensors and automated wipers and headlights. Renault's card-based entry and start system is also available, as is Bluetooth connectivity and a USB connector for wiring-up your MP3 player to the stereo.

Renault is keen to highlight its most fuel efficient Clio models, making it easier for customers to pick them out and does so with its eco2 branding. This dCi 86 model falls under the eco2 banner but so does any Renault with CO2 emissions below 140g/km that is 95% reusable at the end of its lifecycle. The dCi 86 goes beyond the call of duty with its 76.3mpg economy and 98g/km emissions. It really is in a class of its own within the Clio range and will bring major cost savings. This fuel-sipping Clio promises a theoretical range of 923 miles, enough to get you the 456 miles from London to Lyon and back again, with fuel to spare.

It's amazing with the world's car manufacturers can do when they put their minds to it. Since the pressure really went on to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles, progress has been swift and, in some cases, startling. It's reached the stage where a full-sized modern supermini like Renault's Clio can return 76mpg and dip under the 100g/km barrier for its CO2 output. There are rival models that can match the Clio dCi 86 Eco2 but the Renault effort seems to manage the feat without significant drawbacks. Is there more to come? Almost certainly but, for the time being, the French firm deserves a pat on the back.

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