11 Sep 07
We saw the concept in Geneva last March, and here's the real thing: the Clio estate.
Joining the Peugeot 207 SW and upcoming Skoda Fabia Combi in this growing market niche, it will be built at Renault's factory in Bursa, Turkey and will go on sale next year. It's not as roomy as some of its rivals, thanks to a steeply-raked rear windscreen, but it has a useful 439-litre boot. Expect a similar engine line-up to the Clio hatchback, though trim and specification may be geared more towards practicality and user-friendliness than all-out luxury.
Renault has two more utility-biased small cars on show in Frankfurt. The Sandero, a five-door hatchback based on the Logan platform, will be built in Curitiba, Brazil and sold initially in Brazil and Argentina; Renault says that it's 'roomy, robust and has plenty of luggage space.' A European-market version will be sold in Europe as of next year, wearing the Dacia badge.
The Sandero will go on sale alongside the Dacia Logan pick-up, built at the Renault-owned factory in Pitesti, Romania. This shares its underpinnings with the Logan saloon, estate and small van, and has a payload of 800kg plus 300kg of stowage space in the cabin. The Logan family of low-tech, budget vehicles - to include the Sandero - will eventually be offered in right-hand drive form.
Check out the rest of our Frankfurt Motor Show coverage
