In a complete surprise of events, Renault used the ongoing IAA in Munich on Monday evening (8 September) to officially reveal the all-new sixth generation Clio.
Replacing the six-year old fifth generation that has contributed to global Clio sales of 17-million units since it replaced the 5 exactly 35-years ago, the newcomer not only introduces a number of models firsts, but also finally bids farewell to the turbodiesel engine.
Debuting just over two years after the facelift fifth generation made its appearance, the new Clio still rides on the same CMF-B platform, but which has gone extensive revisions since it, incidentally, entered production underpinning the outgoing Clio and Captur.
Measuring 4 116 mm long., 1 768 mm wide and 1 451 mm tall, the Clio’s wheelbase spans 2 591 mm and its claimed boot space 391-litres depending on the selected powertrain.
Comparatively, this makes it 66 mm longer, 30 mm wider and 11 mm taller than the outgoing model, with it wheelbase increasing by eight millimetres
The claimed boot space, which improved by 26-litres from the fourth generation, has remained as is.
Described as being Latin in its appearance, the Clio sports a radical design with elements from the Peugeot RCZ and even the Ford Fiesta present at the front.
At the rear, traits from the Jaguar I-Pace and Mazda3 are present, the former being most present in the design of the window and spoiler integrated into the roof.
Supposed to be “athletic” than before, with wheel sizes up to 18-inches depending on the trim level, the Clio also gets an overhauled colour palette with seven colours, two being new hues; Absolute Red and Absolute Green.
In an ironic twist, the interior derives heavily from the revived 5 E-Tech with light Clio specific touches having taken place.
The shared items in question includes the entire dashboard, the steering wheel, central hang down section skewed towards the towards, and the pair of 10-inch displays for the infotainment system and instrument cluster.
In another first, the 5 E-Tech’s retro steering column-mounted gear lever has been carried over into the Clio, though the centre console is unique to the latter and no longer a floating design with the infotainment display affixed to it.
What’s more, the starter button moves to the steering wheel itself while physical button feature on both the wheel and below the central air vents.
In terms of spec, the Clio boasts wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ambient lighting, a completely revised array of safety and driver assistance systems, and a 410-watt Harman Kardon sound system.
While no specifics regarding dynamic alterations were made, Renault has confirmed a choice of three powerunits, with only the entry-level option retaining a manual gearbox.
Displacing 1.2-litres, the long-serving turbocharged TCe 115 develops 115 pferdestarke (PS) or 85kW/190Nm. Besides the mentioned five-speed manual, a six-speed EDC can be had as an option.
Modelled on the same engine, the Eco-G develops 88kW/200Nm and, as per its name, can run on either petrol or liquified petroleum gas (LPG). The mentioned EDC is the only transmission option.
Completing the range, the flagship E-Tech hybrid eschews the previous 1.6-litre setup for a 1.8 combined with a 1.4-kWh battery pack.
Paired to the latest evolution of the multi-mode transmission, which offers two ratios provided the electric motor and four by the ‘box itself for the engine, the E-Tech produces 160 PS or 118 kW, which represents an increase of 11 kW.
Exclusively made at the Bursa plant in Turkey, with a choice of three trim levels set to be offered; Evolution, Techno and Esprit Alpine, the Clio will go on-sale before year-end in Europe with pricing to be announced then.
Locally, the facelift outgoing Clio had been expected around to arrive in the second quarter of the year, which has so far failed to materialise.
As such, no details about the sixth generation coming to South Africa is known.
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