RENAULT has launched a new range-topping Clio Initiale which offers increased levels of equipment for £1,645 less than the outgoing model. The Initiale, costing £13,995 on-the-road, comes with driver, passenger and front lateral airbags, ABS brakes, air conditioning, power steering, wood trim, CD player and a trip computer.

Unique alloy wheels, extra driving lights and double optic headlamp units also come as standard. The model has a four-speed proactive gearbox which uses 'fuzzy logic' to adapt to the driving style of the person behind the wheel. This gearbox is responsible for a 276 per cent rise in sales of Clio automatics in the last 12 months.

Power comes from a 1.6-litre, 90bhp engine which returns fuel consumption of 37.2mpg. The original Initiale, which went on sale in April 1997, was priced at £15,640 and on a spec-for-spec comparison only came with a driver's airbag as standard while ABS brakes, for example, were a £295 optional extra.