- Renault has unveiled the sixth-generation Clio at the Munich Motor Show.
- Longer, wider body has a weird Ford/Mazda-like nose and a coupe-like rear end.
- Full hybrid 1.8 is a second faster to 62 mph and drives mostly as an EV in town.
Renault’s retro 5 EV might be the current European Car of the Year champ, but the Renault hatch winning Europe’s sales battle is the more conventional combustion Clio, and the old stager has just been refreshed to keep the punters rolling in.
Related: New Renault Clio Goes Electric For Those Who Find The Retro 5 Too Funky
The sixth-generation Clio made its debut at this week’s Munich Motor Show, displaying a radically different set of panels on top of the familiar CMF-B platform. Though the Clio badge has been around for 35 years, the new models’ design – unlike the 5 EV’s – keeps things contemporary, Renault claiming it borrows from the gorgeous Emblème concept.
About That Design
We don’t see much evidence of that, but we can see hints of Ford designs in the profile and rear, and is that a Mazda we can see in the mix? The Fiesta-like nose is arguably the least successful part of the car, looking both fussy and dated, but the coupe-like rear and hidden rear door handles mean it’s a looker from the rear-three-quarter angle. More practical, too. Cargo space is no bigger than before, but the lower lip should make it easier to fill.
Overall, length is up by 67 mm (2.2 inches) to 4,116 mm (162.1 inches), but the wheelbase has only grown 8 mm (0.3 inches). The new Clio is fractionally taller and wider, too, but don’t expect it to suddenly feel like an SUV inside.
A Cabin That Looks Upmarket
What it will feel more like now is the 5 EV, thanks to a similar conjoined digital gauge cluster and infotainment screen fitted to higher-spec models. The old Clio had a separate tablet touchscreen, and it sounds like base versions of the new one stick with something similar, though Renault hasn’t released images of the entry-level interior.
Both versions of the infotainment system get Google Maps navigation, Google Assistant voice control, and access to Google Play, plus wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Splash for an upscale trim like the sporty Esprit Alpine, and you gain a phone charging pad as well as Alcantara upholstery.
Still got money to burn? Try the optional 410W Harmon Kardon audio system whose five sound profiles were developed with 1980s French synth legend Jean-Michel Jarre.
Powertrain Choices
Under the five-door-only skin, the Clio follows a similar path to its predecessor. That means no EV option again at launch – if you want one of those, you’ll have to jump across to the similarly-sized Renault 5, although a Clio EV is reportedly on the way. For now, Renault is offering a mix of mild and full-hybrid petrol engines, one of which thinks it’s an EV.
Renault says the 158 hp (160 PS) 1.8-liter full-hybrid E-Tech emits just 89 g/km of CO2 and spends 80 percent of urban drives relying only on electric power. Its 8.3-second zero to 62 mph (100 kmh) time is also a second faster than the old 143 hp (145 PS) 1.6-liter version could manage.
The only other engine available to UK buyers is the 113 hp (115 PS) 1.2-liter triple in the TCe. It’s good for 62 mph in 10.1 seconds, a 2-second improvement on the old 89 hp (90 PS) 1.2, and unlike the full hybrid, it comes with a manual transmission.
Other European markets get an expanded lineup that includes a six-speed dual-clutch option for the 1.2 TCe and a 118 hp (120 PS), three-cylinder Eco-G that’s also DCT-equipped and can run on LPG (propane). Diesels – once a big part of the Clio sales mix – are out, but we suspect a sporty Alpine version will be along in a year or so.
Tech And Safety
Renault says the Clio is crammed with safety kit, including Emergency Stop Assist, which slows the car to a complete stop if the driver becomes inactive, and adaptive cruise control borrowed from the 5 EV. It also has a Safety Score feature, which gives feedback on your driving, and a Safety Coach to offer tips.
In total, there are up to 29 ADAS features, so it’s a relief to hear that a My Safety Switch button to the left of the steering wheel can deactivate up to five of them at once.
On Sale Soon
Clio 6 goes on sale later this year, giving UK buyers the choice of Evolution, Techno, and Esprit Alpine trims. Prices are still TBC, but likely to start at just under £20k/€20k, making a Clio slightly more affordable than the funkier 5.
Renault
