Clio Grand Tour Concept: an alluring, practical and dynamic estate
Renault introduces Clio Grand Tour Concept at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. A glimpse of developments to come within the Clio III range, Clio Grand Tour Concept targets drivers looking for a small, dynamic and attractive estate car with the abilities of a classic grand tourer. Finished in special Comet Gold paintwork, Clio Grand Tour Concept is powered by the 2.0 16V 200hp petrol engine, a unit that promises incomparable driver appeal. The cabin is bright, practical and comfortable – the perfect place for relaxing journeys. And with its large, easy-to-load cargo area, Clio Grand Tour Concept is geared very much towards leisure activities. Developed around photographic and multimedia themes, the show car has a very high specification and includes a number of benchmark electronic features.
A powerful, dynamic presence
At 4.2 metres in length, Clio Grand Tour Concept will appeal to drivers who want a compact estate with the panache of a grand tourer. There is no mistaking its provenance. Clio III’s distinctive profile is easily detectable, although the shape is enhanced by more pronounced curves. Fitted with bespoke side panels and a rakish tailgate topped by an aerofoil, Clio Grand Tour Concept fizzes with power and energy. The three-door bodyshell, roof bars, wider front and rear wings, sculpted sills, air ducts and rear diffuser underline its potency.
At the front, a wide air intake grille cools the naturally aspirated 2.0 16V 200hp engine. The streamlined front lights house high-performance LEDs and the compact rear lights encapsulate Clio Grand Tour Concept’s nononsense character. The rear-view mirrors and bumpers are painted Comet Gold, like the bodywork. A subtle array of pixels can be picked out on the sides of the bodywork, suggesting the worlds of multimedia and photography. Hunched on aluminium wheels – 18-inch rims at the front, 19-inch at the rear – Clio Grand Tour Concept looks effervescent and dynamic.
A large, practical boot
Clio Grand Tour Concept’s generous proportions will meet the needs of customers looking for a car that blends practicality and character. Its adaptable interior and longer rear overhang (bigger than that on a standard Clio III) combine to provide excellent load-carrying capacity. Clio Grand Tour Concept has an impressive 430-litre boot and the cargo area measures 1.7 metres in length. Svelte, individual seats with integral head-rests offer comfort and good body support for up to four occupants. The rear seats fold easily to create a flat load area. In an instant, the Clio Grand Tour Concept transforms into a two-seater coupe – a 100% fun car with a 1,275-litre load capacity.
Comfort and driver appeal
A cocktail of the Clio III’s remarkable roadholding and sheer driving pleasure, Clio Grand Tour Concept is a car for free spirits. Its dynamic attributes allow the naturally aspirated 2.0 16-valve engine to show its full potential. It’s a flexible (215Nm of torque at 5,500rpm), powerful (200hp [145 kW] at 7,250rpm) unit that is lively when required, yet docile and tractable in everyday driving. Mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, it accelerates from 0-100kph in just 7.2 seconds.
Underneath, however, Clio Grand Tour Concept is still a Clio – and that means it’s supremely comfortable and easy to live with. The practical interior is perfect for relaxing journeys. The wide, panoramic glass roof creates a bright, airy ambience that highlights the generous cabin dimensions and large boot. The elegant dashboard incorporates a navigation screen and analogue/digital speedometer. A great deal of attention was paid to interior lighting. Yellow in tone – Renault’s corporate colour – it gives the cabin a certain vibrancy, which echoes the car’s entertaining character. The centre console, boot floor and door trims also disseminate streaks of yellow light.
Photography and multimedia
Step inside Clio Grand Tour Concept and you’ll enter a world of photography and multimedia. The car is packed with cutting-edge technology from Samsung Electronics Co and nothing has been overlooked. Rear passengers can watch their favourite DVDs on screens incorporated within the front-seat head-rests. During a fun weekend away, passengers can capture memorable moments on a 10 million pixel digital camera. Or they can film their friends on a high-definition MP4 digital camcorder with 2Gb flash memory. A seat and a storage box with retractable drawers are located in the space beneath the boot floor. When the hatchback is wide open, a photographer can sit comfortably and transfer pictures or videos to a laptop computer which folds away into the wheel housing thanks to an articulated arm. With its handsome range of electronic equipment, Clio Grand Tour Concept isn’t just the ideal mode of transport for a fun weekend away – it’s the perfect means to make sure you won’t forget it.
Source: Internal
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