A winning team… needs to change. At least, that’s what has always happened with the Renault Clio, one of the longest-running and most successful cars from the French manufacturer, which has made a clean break with the past every time it has been revamped. It does so again today with the sixth generation, born from a specific request by the former CEO of the French group, Luca De Meo, who, giving the green light to the project, told his team: “Have the courage to be bold. I want a sexy Clio.”
And so it was. The car grew by 7 centimeters in length and 4 in width, has a prominent front end, with a curved hood and a grille that juts forward, and an almost crossover-like profile, with high, muscular sides and a tail that ends in a very sloping rear window. Aesthetically, it emphasizes the change with new elements. The headlights, for example, do away with the classic glass cover and take on a three-dimensional look with a black frame that protrudes from the bodywork. At the rear, too, the split hexagonal lights are unlike anything seen before on other models from the brand.
The interior design is a little more traditional. The finishes and materials are of good quality. There is also a front panel that runs across the dashboard and incorporates two monitors, one for the instrumentation and one for infotainment. The latter is based on Google’s operating system, which ensures maximum integration with Maps and other apps dedicated to “Big G” cars. From next year, it will also feature Gemini artificial intelligence, for more fluid and natural conversations with the voice assistant.
The new Renault Clio has also undergone significant mechanical changes. In addition to the familiar gasoline and LPG engines, the car is also available in a completely new hybrid version. It features a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine combined with a more sophisticated electric component, powered by a larger battery. The car thus has more power (up to 160 horsepower) and boasts a more responsive dynamic temperament, while claiming fuel consumption of only 3.9 liters per 100 km.
On the road, it feels more solid than the outgoing generation. This is also thanks to careful soundproofing work resulting from greater attention to aerodynamics (the Cx has been reduced from 0.32 to 0.30) and the use of a greater number of sound-absorbing panels. Stable and balanced, it also has a smoother ride, both in the city, where you often travel with zero emissions, and on extra-urban stretches.
An interesting new dynamic program called Smart has been introduced, which adapts the engine response in real time based on the driving style adopted. There is no need to select a specific mode—Eco, Normal, or Sport, which are still available—as the car automatically changes the settings according to the driver’s needs. The new Clio is available in three trim levels: Evolution, Techno, and Esprit Alpine. They differ in terms of equipment and a few aesthetic details.
