Renault has unveiled the sixth generation of its Clio at the Munich Motor Show. Bigger, more high-tech, more premium, the change is radical! The diamond brand’s bestseller cannot afford to fail and must live up to the success of its predecessors. Mission accomplished?
Clio 6, the end of the conventional look
For its sixth iteration, the Clio undergoes a complete transformation. The design becomes much sportier, notably with a wide grille complemented by a C-shaped lighting signature. Its designer, Gilles Vidal, aimed to give it a strong personality, through features such as a long hood, pronounced wheel arches, and wheels available up to 18 inches.
At the rear, there is a pronounced roofline drop as well as taillights split into two sections. Like many new models, the new Clio has grown by 7 cm, now measuring 4.12 meters in length. The expression ‘it has everything of a larger car’ takes on full meaning here, making it the most imposing city car on the market.
Renault’s move upmarket is impressive. The Clio 6 is a very attractive small car, especially in its launch version, paired with the Esprit Alpine trim and the ‘Rouge Absolu’ color.
An interior designed for comfort and technology
The revolution seen on the outside continues inside as well. The interior is modern, featuring two 10.1-inch screens—one in front of the driver and another positioned at the center. In the entry-level Evolution version, the screen behind the steering wheel measures 7 inches.
Starting from the mid-range Techno trim, the Clio 6 comes equipped with the OpenR Link system compatible with Google. It offers numerous features such as voice assistant, Google navigation, and access to over 100 connected applications.
The cabin is very pleasant and incorporates many elements already seen on the R4 and R5 E-Tech, such as the piano-style buttons and the shape of the dashboard. The steering wheel comes from its bigger sibling, the Rafale, offering an optimal grip that promotes dynamic driving.
The build quality is already considered a benchmark. Fabric is used on the door panels and dashboard. In the Esprit Alpine trim, this material is replaced by Alcantara. . Still on the doors, there is a translucent panel that serves as ambient lighting (available in 48 colors) and illuminates in case of imminent danger, for example when a cyclist approaches. A very practical safety feature, especially for urban driving.
The interior space remains unchanged, while the boot capacity has slightly increased: 391 liters for the petrol version and 309 liters for the E-Tech. Plenty of room for a stroller or large shopping trips without any trouble.
Interior safety of the Renault Clio” ou “Renault Clio, cabin safety features
Renault has cleaned up under the hood of its Clio 6. This new generation abandons diesel as well as the small SCe 65 and TCe 90 petrol engines. The Renault city car now starts at 115 horsepower in a mild-hybrid version, paired with either a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
Popular with customers, the LPG option returns with the new 120-hp ECO-G, available with an automatic gearbox.
At the top of the range, there is a new full-hybrid version. The old 1.6 engine producing 145 horsepower is replaced by a 1.8 E-Tech delivering 160 horsepower. First introduced on the new Dacia Bigster, it combines a petrol engine with two electric motors, allowing the car to drive in electric mode 80% of the time. It features a dog-clutch gearbox, a technology borrowed from F1, with four speeds for the petrol engine and two for the main electric motor.
Without a Renault Sport variant, the Clio 6 E-Tech still manages 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.3 seconds.
Renault has yet to reveal pricing for the new Clio, but it is expected to start at around €22,000 and top out at over €30,000 for the Esprit Alpine E-Tech Full Hybrid 160.
