Renault presents the new Clio: changing everything to stay the same

Renault has done something right (or very right) with its Clio to keep it on the market since 1990 and to remain one of the flagships of the European utility vehicle segment, with magnificent sales figures over the past thirty-five years. So much so that the diamond-shaped brand is now presenting its sixth generation, more technological than ever and with a completely different and renewed image.

Let's take it one step at a time, though. The new sixth-generation Renault Clio leverages the Renault-Nissan Alliance's mechanical foundation and modular CMF-B platform to offer a quality, well-tested product with gasoline, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), and conventional hybrid engines, and power outputs between 115 and 160 hp, always combined with a . Using an already developed platform and engines from other models in the group allows this sixth-generation Clio to offer a more competitive final sales price, a key element in a segment as complicated as its own.

The new Clio offers a powerful and muscular appearance thanks to a body measuring 4.12 meters long—7 centimeters longer than its predecessor and almost half a meter longer than the original 1990 model—which is 1.77 meters wide and 1.45 meters high. The increased body size allows the trunk to reach 330 liters of capacity (310 liters in the case of the conventional hybrid version) and more space for the second row of occupants. Beyond this, it's also worth noting that the new Clio features a unique and very personal design, which stands out from the French brand's other models.

The French brand will offer three different trim levels called Evolution, Techno, and Alpine Spirit, which allow for the addition of features such as aluminum pedals, intelligent adaptive cruise control, side parking assistance, blind spot warning, safe occupant exit alert, and even automatic emergency braking.

As for engines, Renault has confirmed that the entry-level version will offer a 115 hp 1.2 TCe three-cylinder gasoline engine that can be paired with a manual or automatic transmission, with an average fuel consumption of 5 l/100 km. The second engine option will allow use with LPG fuel and, despite having the same engine, will increase its power to 120 hp. Finally, the conventional hybrid version, called E-Tech, will offer a 1.8-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine with two electric motors to deliver a combined total power of 160 hp and fuel consumption of just 3.9 l/100 km.

Renault has yet to confirm pricing for the new Clio, although new orders for the sixth generation of the popular vehicle will open later this year. However, prices for the entry-level versions should start at around €19,500 or €20,000, while the more equipped versions, with E-Tech engines or conventional hybrids, should have a price ceiling of around €27,500 or €28,000.