Renault Clio 2.0 16v Sport 197 2007

The new Clio III drew technology from Formula One, including a rear diffuser and brake cooling side vents, they upgraded the engine, now to 194 bhp (145 kW; 197 PS). The car is heavier than its predecessor, but the acceleration figures are slightly improved due to a combination of more power, torque and the new six-speed gearbox with shorter gearing according to the official figures published on the Renaultsport website www.renaultsport.co.uk.

The third generation Clio was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Clio III uses the Nissan B platform, co-developed with Nissan (which Renault has a share in), that is shared with the Renault Modus, the Nissan Micra, and the Nissan Note. It is considerably larger and 130 kg (287 lb) heavier as well as being more expensive than the Clio II and, at nearly 4,000 mm (157 in) in length, has almost outgrown the supermini class.[citation needed]

This was the result of a decision to move the Clio upmarket.[citation needed] It also brings the trademark "Renault Card" keyless immobiliser to the Clio for the first time. Sales began throughout Europe in October 2005.

Clio came with several trims, with the Dynamique having the most variations as it comes with four versions, namely the Dynamique, Dynamique S, Dynamique SX and Dynamique TomTom. The Clio Dynamique S comes with 4-wheel disc brakes and 16-inch alloys. Several options were offered, with others that could be added later on, like a sport exhaust made by Sebring, or rear "becquet" (spoiler), to provide a sporty look.

It was voted European Car of the Year 2006, becoming the first car to win twice, defeating the rival Volkswagen Passat by just 5 points. The Clio was described by several people as the new benchmark for its category and by one judge as a "great little car that should inspire bigger ones". The trophy for the award was presented in January 2006 to the Renault chief executive at a ceremony in Italy organized by Auto Magazine.[49]

In June 2006, the sales of the third generation Clio Renault Sport started in France. The Clio Renault Sport is equipped with a new naturally aspirated 16-valve 2.0 L engine based on the earlier version used in the second generation Clio Renault Sport and a 6-speed manual gearbox. The engine develops 197 PS (145 kW) at 7250 rpm. The top speed is 215 km/h (134 mph) and 0–100 km/h (62 mph) takes 6.9 seconds.[citation needed]

An estate version called Sport Tourer in the UK was unveiled in March 2007. All Clio Estates were built in Turkey by Oyak-Renault.[50] The Clio Estate was nearly as long as the contemporary Mégane Estate, and at 439 L (15.5 cu ft), the cargo space was larger than the 420 L (14.8 cu ft) of the Mégane.[50] At the same time, Renault replaced the 1.4 L atmospheric engine with a new turbocharged 1.2 TCe version, with 101 PS (74 kW) and 145 N⋅m (107 lb⋅ft) of torque. In the 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears over 4500 rpm the turbocharger adds 5 extra HP.

Unlike its predecessors, the Japanese-spec Renault Lutecia III was not available at any Yanase Co., Ltd. dealership location, as Yanase had ended its import rights for Renault after Renault had acquired a stake in Nissan when the Lutecia II was still in production. Instead, the Renault Lutecia III was sold exclusively through Nissan Red Stage Store locations.