Renault Clio Sport Tourer - the Frugal Choice

MAPLE CROSS – October 17, 2008: Renault’s ecoČ credentials keep on growing with the success of the Clio Sport Tourer in Fleet World magazine’s MPG Marathon, having achieved a 27% improvement in its fuel economy during the two-day 411 miles event.

The 2008 Fleet World MPG Marathon saw 39 vehicles, all eager to prove their ‘green’ capabilities, participate in a route which took the drivers in a round trip from Bristol to Macclesfield.

Renault entered the Clio Sport Tourer dCi 86, a practical and stylish estate which already achieves an impressive official combined MPG of 64.2, driven by Richard Bremner, Editor of www.cleangreencars.co.uk and David Ward, Motoring Editor of the Essex Chronicle.

‘Team Renault’ improved the Clio’s Fuel consumption by a huge 27%, taking it to 82 mpg through a combination of practicing everyday driving with a little more care such as not over-revving when traffic lights turn green.

Richard Bremner commented; “The Clio Sport Tourer was one of the bigger cars in its class, but nevertheless managed 81.9mpg – and without going painfully slowly. It's surprising what a modern small car can achieve in fuel consumption - occasionally, we were managing over 100mpg.”

Renault has a wide range of ecoČ vehicles, with 93 models emitting 140 g/km or less, and 31 emitting 120 g/km or less. Renault is one of Europe’s three most COČ efficient manufacturers, having always held the environment as a priority in its strategy. At the Paris Motor Show earlier this month, it unveiled the ‘Z.E. Concept Car’, a Zero Emission electric vehicle offering a glimpse of what the future could hold for motoring. It is a clear demonstration of Renault’s future policy.

On www.renault.co.uk, customers can find out more about Renault and ecoČ, including information on our partnership with Dame Ellen MacArthur (as Renault’s ecoČ spokesperson) and useful information to help improve their own fuel economy.

Renault offers the following advice for drivers wishing to adopt their own ecoČ philosophy:

Pump up to cut down
Under inflated tyres create more rolling resistance when a car is moving, which means the vehicle’s engine has to work harder, using more fuel and producing more CO2 emissions. Simply check and adjust tyre pressures regularly, especially before long journeys which also help increase the life of the vehicle’s tyres. Under inflated tyres increase CO2 but over inflated tyres can be unsafe so check the car’s handbook for the correct tyre pressure. Remember, a car with a heavier load may need increased tyre pressure.

Less clutter in your car means less CO2
Clutter in the boot is extra weight the engine has to lug around. By removing it, the engine’s workload is cut, burning less fuel and lowering CO2 emissions.

Driving at an appropriate speed reduces CO2
Speed limits are the maximum lawful speeds at which a vehicle may be driven in ideal circumstances. Drivers should never exceed the speed limit. Staying at or within the speed limit increases driver safety, reduces CO2 emissions and saves money on fuel costs. At 70mph you could be using up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15% more than at 50mph.

Less stopping and starting means less CO2
Every time you come to a halt and then start moving again in a traffic queue, the vehicle’s engine uses more fuel and therefore produces more CO2. Keep an eye on the traffic ahead and slow down early by gently lifting your foot off the accelerator while keeping the car in gear. In this way, the traffic may have started moving again by the time you approach the back of the queue, so you can change gear and gradually pick up speed.

Over revving accelerates emissions
Modern car engines are designed to be efficient from the moment they are switched on. So revving up like a Formula 1 car at the start of a Grand Prix only wastes fuel and increases engine wear. Using your gears wisely by changing up a little earlier reduces revs. If you drive a diesel, try changing up a gear when the rev counter reaches 2,000rpm. For a petrol car change up at 2,500rpm.

Idling is wasting fuel
When the engine is idling you’re wasting fuel and adding to CO2 emissions. If you’re likely to be at a standstill for more than three minutes, simply switch off the engine. For more information on reducing CO2 emissions from your vehicle go to www.dft.gov.uk/ActOnCO2.