New Renault Clio, a revolutionary city car

Yesterday, my colleague Fernando showed you in a video the still camouflaged Renault Clio 2012 driving at Goodwood. It was only a matter of time, and just as it happened with McLaren and its MP4-12C Spider, the brand with the diamond has just officially unveiled its new city car, the Renault Clio 2012, a model that is revolutionary both in its design and its mechanics. It will reach the market in October of this same year, replacing the 2009 range.

For the first time for this model, it will only be available with a five-door body. A estate variant will arrive later. To improve the look, the brand’s designers have opted, in the same way as on the SEAT León, for rear door handles integrated into the window frames.

Its styling, as with all Renault models, is a radical change. It may win us over or make us hate it; there is no middle ground with this car. On its exterior, the body lines and the logo abound, and the logo’s size increases disproportionately. All of this, combined with a range of accessories and decals available to customers, will give this youngest member a modern and youthful touch.

Inside, the Nissan-Renault alliance is evident. Although it is now simpler, it features a 7-inch central screen, radio, Bluetooth connectivity and a navigation system on the most expensive trim levels. The first of these reminds me greatly of the one used in the Leaf.

The new Clio 2012 will offer the possibility of customising it to the consumer’s taste. You will be able to choose between different housings for the exterior mirrors, colours for the front ventilation grille, the lower part of the doors, or colour combinations for the cabin.

Its design anticipates the brand’s next electric model, the Renault ZOE.

We can call it a revolution, since both its design and its mechanics are practically new for the brand. At launch, the engine range will consist of a petrol unit and a diesel. The biggest novelty comes with the former: a three-cylinder block with 0.9 litres of displacement producing 90 CV and a consumption of 4.3 litres/100 km.

On the opposite side is a four-cylinder diesel with 1.5 litres of displacement that offers the same power as its petrol sibling. This time, consumption drops to 3.2 litres/100 km. A 120 CV engine will arrive later.

To reduce polluting emissions, they have opted for a Start&Stop system and the choice of either a manual gearbox or an automatic dual-clutch gearbox.

I must congratulate the French brand on this great work. It is a car I am betting on for long-term sales. Its interior has delighted me. I always say that the cabin says a lot about a car, and this one is no exception.

Source| Renault

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackRenault Clio20 versions · from 16,390 €