Old Top Gear 1990 - Renault Clio

Chris Goffey takes the new Clio for a test. Taken from season 13 episode 9.

[@RandomTelenovelas]

It's funny when he mentioned "poor visibility", as today's cars are much worse in that regard.

[@grzegorzpiaseczny]

+telenovelas I drive mk1 Clio on the daily basis and when I drive new cars from time to time I have huge problem with the visibility

[@utubeleplague]

But they have parking sensors nowadays in most models or you can integrate one yourself. Back in the day, rear visibility was very important.

[@cricri6624]

Parking sensors won't tell you if there is a pedestrian when you drive a new car which looks like a tank.

[@Samspianopage]

The Clio probably started that though LOL.

[@wiamoaw]

@@Samspianopage It did, the mk2 Clio was a lot heavier than the 106 or 205, there's actually some metal behind the trim in a Clio the same can't be said of contemporary Peugeots

[@CarambleTV]

MK1 Clio was a great car for the time, I think it really moved the supermini game on. Especially when you compare it to rivals at the time like the MK3 Fiesta and Nova. I can't believe how big the latest Clio is though, it's HUGE.

[@Moukeaf]

really the mk3 changed the deal about size. they became much larger. but it is quiet common for cars. for instance, mk2/3 golf were 205 competitors while mk7 plays with the 308 in size

[@franzchong5889]

the latest ones are massive in the clios.i went to look at one out of interest and was surprised.only reason why i have one on the list is nissan do not offer anything in the class i want.

[@Samspianopage]

Well as Chris says, it did look awfully like the 14 or the Daihatsu Sharade. I think what the Clio did was to make Superminis feel abit more substantial. The Fiesta and Nova were very tinny and basic by comparison. The 205 was the same though it was bags of fun, we had a 1.4 and it was a fast little bugger even with 5 people on board. The rest of the gang really made superminis feel primative and something ye bought either as your first car or a 2nd car or whatever, they were just very stingy on spec back then and they were built with the thinnest of metalwork but then again that did make em light and very economical even if they weren't safe by today's standards. I always think because we take modern safety equipment for granted, we didn't have it back then so we were more aware of the fact we could have a crash and there wasn't much to protect us, I think if they released a car like that today if they were allowed to people would be abit more careful about what they were doing when they drove. Just a suggestion.

[@sylux6996]

when i took my driving license, my older sister gave me her 1994 renault clio. a 1.2 l engine. it's a funny car to drive, i really like it. with 260.000 kilometers, it still runs like new :)

[@mr.slaphappy3794]

Other than rust, these old Clios are definitely reliable, the other day I started mine up for the first time in 2 years, new oil and the thing started right up with the fuel left in the tank, 132148 miles (212671KM) on the clock, and it's also got the 1.2L petrol engine.

[@sylux6996]

@@mr.slaphappy3794 yes. They are really reliable. It is a little bit drunk, when we talk about autonomy. But still a pretty enjoyable car. I still have it in the garage, now i drive the 2017 clio i bought recently with my wife.

[@tjfSIM]

I don't know how they could criticize the Mk1 Clio for lack of character - to me the design had plenty of gallic charm and flamboyance, and it was distinctly different from anything else around at the time. I remember the car well because we had a Renault dealership just round the corner from us in 1992 when it was launched, and they gave us lots of promotional posters and merchandise. 7 years later I actually owned one, and it was a very entertaining and enjoyable car to drive!

[@joaoteixeira7288]

+tjf4375 :)

[@grzegorzpiaseczny]

tjf4375 I have a silver one just like one in the video - it is a lovely car :>

[@tjfSIM]

Cool! I think in styling terms they have aged very well, although unfortunately you don't see many of them around these days. I absolutely loved the clio when it first appeared, it looked extremely modern and well proportioned, and I still think it's a great design. It's really nice to hear you're enjoying yours! :)

[@benwilde2188]

tjf4375 I agree. I remember seeing the Clio for the first time and thinking it looked really smart and chic. I remember the rear windscreen wiper being aerodynamic too!

[@mr.slaphappy3794]

Yeah and they're also reliable little vehicles if you take care of them.

[@ckyliu]

Love Chris's comments about the lack of glass, it's a veritable greenhouse by modern standards! Nothing I have driven before or since had such good visibility as my MkI Phase III Clio

[@DAVIDE-bk8by]

It was my first company car and the first time I had ever had a new car, could never have afforded one. Loved the car back then.

[@dingodash4096]

Drove my mum's '97 Clio RN MK1 Phase 3 for years. One of the best cars for beginners; reliable, easy to drive and maintain, average city car fuel consumption and strong chassis. I actually bought an ICE Phase 3 version with 1.4 Energy. Wish only it was white like my mum's, and not plenty of scuffs, aged and chipped painting. Still gives me joy and thinking to bring it to a paint shop for restoring.

[@MidlandNinja]

At its launch Vauxhall were still making the Nova and Rover had just updated the Metro from the ancient Austin version

[@lucylocket4740]

Vauxhall had actually facelifted the Nova, in order to compete with the Clio and Peugeot 106! 😁😀

[@williamwebb6178]

In 2020 it will be 30 years since the Renault Clio was launched

[@andreiorlowski9893]

Mine has 22 years, its older than me by 1 year 😅 its my first car, great vechicle.

[@horeckilarion3310]

@@andreiorlowski9893 I have "97 facelift version which was only manufactured for 1 year, its old af but at least unique as i only saw 2 or 3 in the past years :D, first car aswell.

[@ScottBrown1]

I want my old Clio clock back

[@jakubgotowicki273]

just bought a mk1 with 50k miles, all original parts and drives Better than my 2003 a class Mercedes

[@andreiorlowski9893]

Man, i have MK1 too and i have to say it drives better than some 2000-2005 cars xD

[@anthonyperkins7556]

This Clio wasn't a bad little motor being economical, zippy, light, easy to drive, practical, comfortable, and cheeky looking too!

[@Lifehatepwn]

I have a 1991 1.2 renault clio and its such a lovely car

[@marcoborghet3268]

Lifehatepwn Hi can you do a video of your renault clio?

[@paolocarulli6239]

I had a clio 1 1.2 RT MOTOR ENERGY. 256.000km i did a crash, but she give me home safe. Only the chassis was broken(for the third time). My big mistake was spent money for a new DIESEL car! After that mistake, inly petrol cars. If i’ll have some i want ro restore a clio fase i mybe a 1.8 16v

[@Samspianopage]

Anybody notice at 3:47 how the bonnet on the righthand dide aswell as the bumper surround below the headlights, is like way squint in comparison to the left-hand side, as is the bonnet don't know whether Chris shut it right, but look at that panel gap between the bonnet and the wing, pmsl when he mentioned build quality right there. Still a good looking car even today.

[@chembleton]

1.4 RT was my first car and from that I moved to a Saxo VTS and then a lovely phase II Renaultsport Clio 172

[@bensmithkent22]

1.4 rt def far nippier than 14 secs 0-60.

[@exoticg9]

@@bensmithkent22 Yyup, my baccara 1.4 takes way less

[@Markknightexeter]

@@bensmithkent22 yep way off, it was more like 12 seconds with the cat and 11 without, I had my old e7j engine ported, full system exhaust with decat, a 2 litre Laguna throttle body matched up, and a hillpower chip, various other little bits aswell, I stripped it out and it would beat vtr's

[@maxrockatansky1772]

still love the dashboard design after all these years

[@MarkyFormula1]

A wonderful review Chris. I may consider buying one once the sporty version arrives.

[@x.leah.hindson.x]

WILLIAMS CLIO?

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

You are decades too late

[@sharpfalcon6196]

The 16S variant was available in 1991.

[@WeMuckAround]

I've got a beautiful '93 Peugeot 205 at the moment, would love to get a MK1 Clio in the garage as well to give my Pug a play mate!

[@peropero3331]

i have them both '84 pug 205 1.1 and '95 clio 1.4 energy

[@1982paul100]

I have a 1993 Clio RT 3-door! We should get our two cars together!!

[@WeMuckAround]

1982paul100 haha fantastic! Where are you based

[@peropero3331]

Im from Macedonia, unfortunately 😁

[@1982paul100]

@@peropero3331 Im in the United Kingdom!......would be a great roadtrip! UK to Macedonia! Stay safe my friend! Greetings from the UK!

[@Kingstone1981]

Omg a mk1 Clio with yellow headlights 😂 go try finding one today

[@utubeleplague]

I still see some

[@jeff4362]

@@verbose2135 It's quite possible your grandma's Clio is rare...

[@soundseeker63]

@@verbose2135 I think I have seen maybe two or three Clios of this shape still on the road in the last 3 years so it is very rare!

[@andreiorlowski9893]

Im driving one of theese xD very good car.

[@JoseH1998Erase]

I own a white mk1 Clio, the 16v 1.8, with the yellow headlights :)

[@MidlandNinja]

Strange how it was launched in May or June of 1990 in Europe but didn't arrive on the UK market until March 1991.

[@1303Gas]

Just got a 5 drs RN 1.2 (E7F) from december 1993, has 23.700 kms, still brand new. Always funny to hear the 1200 cm3 is slow since it do the work well for 850 kg (all fluids filled).

[@jakubgotowicki273]

Own one of these. 1996 RT. A pleasure to drive.

[@MidlandNinja]

Still a few MK1 Clio's about now, not bad when you considering the newest ones were made 15 or 16 years ago and the oldest are 23 years old. The Renault 5 was crap in comparison, might have been good to drive for a small car but most of them vanished years ago and few of the remaining examples looked up to much.

[@darrenwilson8042]

Yeah shit cars - how dare they not look up to much in 2014 as the originals only date back to '72 and the mk2 to '84

[@superseven220]

@@darrenwilson8042 well he's right in one respect, they were shit cars, unreliable, tinny, and rusted away before your eyes, typically French!

[@jeff4362]

@@superseven220 So the Mk1 Clio was not typically French from that perspective?

[@DIY_challenges]

Renault 5 my mom had 2 and clutch cables were a constant problem., loved the GT Turbo and the Clio Williams was cool too😎

[@GeneraleRus]

The clio wasn't meant to be a "fast" car. was meant to be cheap to run and cut insurance costs in Europe. Renault still made the special version to be sporty, like the Clio Williams or the Clio Baccara

[@popindosin228]

True fellas watch old top gear episodes, before buying used car.

[@ukeancraite4405]

My first car

[@rjb0572]

That was also my dad's first car 😂

[@andreiorlowski9893]

Same :D

[@Samspianopage]

Very interesting how Chris makes very good comparisons with other cars in the class, yes you get that today abit but not in the one review like that or as quickly and objectively as the way Chris puts it. Boring reviews they might be but he puts it in perspective of what your average Joe would be able to afford and stacks it up against what else you can buy at the time, only thing he missed out was say the Fiesta, Citroen AX ,Mitsubishi Colt, Toyota Corolla and Vauxhall Nova but I'm sure most people knew they were pretty outmoded by 1990 against the Clio and others they were all showing their age abit in engines and handling (save for say the turbo and XR versions of each model and the Colt was pretty good for it's time), space we could argue about I suppose but there ye go.

[@darrenwilson8042]

Headroom and vision may have been poor............. but UK buyers saw Nicole and Papa and were smitten and the MK1 Clio sold by the bucket load

[@Ale-ln6ti]

especially love the clio 1.2 rt

[@FerrarifanOls95]

My Mom’s old car. She had a red 1.2 litre 3dr model!

[@s.leochapman417]

Funny when he wonders if it will sell well. Soon became one of Britain's best-selling cars. :P

[@Nooziterp1]

At least it can be called a 'Supermini'. Have you seen the latest Clio? It's huge. Probably as big as the original Megane.

[@pb5x5]

They ended up being complete rot boxes that is why so few remain now. Mine was going rusty within one year along the sill in the middle well away from any edges.

[@jakobgrimminger]

I had 3 Clio's over the years, all the 1.9 diesels and i loved them. no character? WTF is he on about??? If i could get a new 1.9 today, i'd have one.....just replace the clutch cable for a thicker one!

[@kevinclark2856]

i have a 1993 clio in yellow and genuine 31k miles from new and history

[@kernals12]

@celticmadliam do you have their review of the Vauxhall Corsa?

[@MakeMyDreamz]

I have a 2000 version, car is gucci

[@brokenscart7989]

Visibility seems like a dirty word to modern car designers. I understand bigger pillars for safety but the windows are so shallow!

[@yahnsolo]

this one is slow because this 1,4 is the carburator engine, with the C3j old engine. The Energy E7J 1,4 was far better, also the E7F 1,2 was not bad at all (my parents had one and it topped 185 kmh easy)

[@Samspianopage]

Alloys look just like my Jeep Cherokee XJ Makes sense since Renault owned a major stake in AMC until 87 and Jeeps used alot of Renault gear

[@Thomas-wm8fu]

30 years old now

[@munnsey]

Bodyshape so similar to the 1987-93 series Daihatsu Charade.

[@chatham43]

....notice he's driving in dry weather......

[@MJSGTI]

I'm sorry, but the clio was the best at that period followed by the polo. the 205 already looked ancient next to it!

[@YegoYTP]

I love how they talked about character alot. Character is the main selling point for me in a car. If it has no character, I'm not interested. These new cars don't have any character at all, the manufacturers don't even try to add character, and the consumers don't care, the average motorist these days just want something thats cheap, safe, gets from A to B and usually a daft 'SUV'. I must add though, theres still some character left in new cars such as the new Peugeot 208, however its not as common as it was 10+ years ago.

[@pacosandero8733]

Great car!!!

[@Piko234]

What does he mean by catalyst? A cat in the exhaust?

[@mr.slaphappy3794]

No (lol), I think he means the catalytic converter, it helps reduce the emissions made by the engine.

[@RWL2012]

@@mr.slaphappy3794 yeah, cat is short for catalytic converter / catalyst / catalyzer :) a guy i know shouted to me from the garage he works at that he was going to go and pick up a cat - on that particular occasion it was actually the animal, not the emissions device :-P

[@livc44411]

Fierce competition???? The Clio was far superior to all its rivals at launch,think AX,Fiesta MK3,Corsa MK1...Dont know what he was talking about :-/ The 205 was stiff competition when the Clio was released but the Renault was never really challenged until 94-95 when the MK 2 Polo was released...

[@sharonec5419]

30 years old now the Renault Clio and there has been 5 generation of Clion now the latest one is probably as big as a Renault 19 and even a Megane from the mid 90s. Them yellow fogs and headlights do and them alloys stylish lol I would say very dull. Thankfully Renault have come on leaps and bounds since then and make probably the best cars you can buy now in there sectors.

[@timpauwels3734]

“Longer, wider and heavier” *laughs in 21st century*

[@theodor12]

Hard to believe this is now a 30 year old car

[@RWL2012]

33 in 2023!

[@soundseeker63]

I wonder what Mr Goffey would have to say about the visibility in modern cars! For many, the pillars are so unnecessarily huge and the windows so shallow, being able to see out properly seems to have been an afterthought! Without a bunch of sensors to save your bacon they would be totally unsafe. Not good design at all! I rather like this shape of Clio - more attractive than the blobby and fat bottomed model that replaced it IMO, and the 150bhp Williams version with its subtle body kid and gold allows was genuinely cool.

[@superseven220]

Loving the tank top Chris! 😂

[@JOHN93UK]

My renault clio 1.4 RT champs-élysées is very quick

[@streesmut70]

1:35 Volvo style ?

[@GeneraleRus]

the old Nissan Micra is far lighter, you can compare it to the old Renault Twingo. The Renault Clio was meant to be a cheap family car, easy and cheap to run (fuel and insurance)

[@SENSATIONHOUSEMUSIC]

@asthmaticpoet No, they dont :) I have Clio RN Energy '91. GR8 car for his years :)

[@George-yt5nn]

Clio williams best of all French engineering

[@loscalo6818]

i just bought for €300, my first car

[@fredpoint2173]

i love that

[@JUANCHO1713]

mi primer auto :)..... que buen auto, y que buenos recuerdos! :)

[@caseyjazz7256]

I would watch a modern version of car reviews if it were hosted by good ol blokes with sweaters and filmed with the old 80's cameras and mics.

[@lucylocket4740]

Sales of the Clio was helped significantly in Britain with the famous adverts starring 'Nicole and Papa'. Personally they were ridiculous in my opinion! 😏😣

[@malinalungu407]

What year was that?

[@5supercinque]

the 5 gt turbo is the best

[@Sacoto14]

that's not the true value I'm sure. my clio is the 1.2 RL version and I'm pretty sure it does 0-60 in less than 12s

[@munuLOL]

I think the honda civic is better than both of those cars when it comes to performance atleast. a 1991 Honda Civic EG6 with the /1.6 L DOHC VTEC Engine made 160-170 HP and could do 0-60 in 6.8 secs

[@Bow-to-the-absurd]

Papa !

[@CreRay]

Clio lack of character? That criticism didn't age well.

[@sevastiyan96]

at now i`m driving the same car but it is green metalic :D. it`s haven`t any power ...

[@Danielgst]

I'm buyed green metallic Clio I MK3 few days ago ;) it's quite good car.

[@mathieumansire372]

+sevastiqn nqmam i got the 1.1..the car have to be tip top or else it loses a lot of power

[@sevastiyan96]

At now,i have fiat punto 1.7td 4 doors and clio,1998 2,doors 1.2i

[@austinmini1275]

The same car ALL seven days of the week? To each their own I suppose. LOL! ; )

[@1100HondaCB]

14.5s 0-60 for a 1.4 in a small car is pretty bad. My old 1.0 mk1 Micra would easily embarrass that Clio.

[@jigrodrigues]

I'd rather have the 205. Any day of the week.

[@adrianstuart84]

if you like the renault clio or own one join the Facebook group facebook.com/groups/1719001675035653/

[@nrs796bs]

Elf

[@jigrodrigues]

Sorry, renault always trailed Fiat in small cars