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Clio III: European Car of the Year 2006 - Nov 2005

Clio III has been voted Car of the Year 2006. This is the sixth time Renault has won this prestigious and much-coveted award.

Clio III has been voted Car of the Year 2006 by a jury of 58 motoring journalists from 22 European countries. Clio III scored 256 points, ahead of the VW Passat (251 points) and the Alfa Romeo 159 (212 points). A total of 28 new models were in the running for the Car of the Year 2006 award.

Boasting an expressive design, Clio III has redefined the standards of the small-car segment with record cabin space, top roadholding qualities and a remarkable level of fit and finish. Clio III won five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests, underlining Renault's lead in safety.

Clio III went on sale across Europe in mid-October. The car has enjoyed an enthusiastic reception and initial sales figures are very encouraging.

This is the sixth time Renault has won the prestigious Car of the Year award. The Renault 16 was the winner in 1966, followed by the Renault 9 in 1982, Clio I in 1991, Mégane Scénic in 1997, and Mégane II in 2003.

The award augurs well for the Clio III programme as a whole, ahead of the upcoming launch of Clio Renault Sport and new engines, transmissions and trim levels.

"We are delighted with today's result,we were quietly confident that Clio III would perform well in this prestigious competition following its success in the Euro NCAP safety tests and from the very postive feedback we have received from the motoring press" commented Bill Cullen,Chairman,Renault Ireland ".
"The Clio is a very important model for us in the Irish market and so far the orders for the new Clio have been very firm and we are looking to a very successful year in 2006".