Since its launch in 1990, the Renault Clio has proved itself to be something of an icon, never straying from popularity and being regarded as one of the most highly regarded superminis on sale.
France’s favourite car quickly became an international best-seller with no less than 16 million Clios being sold worldwide so far, with over 1.1 million of them being sold in the UK alone.
Having won two Car of the Year awards in Europe, many regard the Clio to be one of the most emblematic city cars on the market.
It’s latest accolade? The Renault Clio E-Tech. The fully hybrid city car, brimming with the very latest breakthroughs in looks, performance and technology that take it to the next level of intrigue and dynamism.
To say it’s had a revamp would be considered as something of an understatement.
Enhancing the appeal of the Clio is the advanced new E-Tech powertrain, introducing hybrid power to the Renault range for the first time. Debuting technology inspired by the Renault F1 team for energy optimisation and brake regeneration, all models fitted with E-Tech technology, offering customers strong performance with low running costs, enhancing the driving experience and refinement of existing Clio models.
It’s more assertive at the front end, proudly showing off its redesigned logo, indeed, the entire revamp captures Renault’s philosophy of new human-centric and tech-centric design. New signature lighting includes slender full LED headlamps, included in all the trims, pointing to precision and technical savviness, thus sharpening the car’s look.
At the back, the Clio E-Tech fully hybrid’s bumper sports a more aerodynamic look whilst the modernised rear lights will include crystal-clear covers providing a glimpse of the inside – again adding to the technical, up-to-date feel.
As with the rest of the Clio range, E-Tech Hybrid comes with a revolutionary interior that sets new standards in the supermini class with large, crisp display screens and premium finishes and eye-catching features. Its seats envelop you in comfort whilst its ambient lighting comes in a choice of eight colours.
The quality of materials is the best ever in the Clio, with a soft-touch dashboard top with a customisable centre panel that can be selected in a choice of colour packs. Premium materials for the heating and ventilation controls are found with satin finishes, while piano ley buttons running along the bottom of the touchscreen give an upmarket lift and ease of access to key functions. A floating centre console gives Clio’s interior a modern look with practical benefits, housing a wireless smartphone charger and storage areas beneath.
It goes without saying that the all-new Clio leads the way for pioneering safety, with both a five-star Euro NCAP rating and a range of hi-tech driver assistance systems that are more usually seen on bigger and far more expensive models. The all-new Clio puts the safety of its occupants and other road users at the front and centre.
With sustainability in mind, there is no leather in the new Clio E-Tech full hybrid: instead, the surfaces are covered in TEP, a grained coated fabric made of bio-sourced and polyester fibres.
Fabrice Cambolive, CEO, Renault Brand, commented: “Clio’s success has never waned. It is France’s best-selling car ever-with 16 million sold worldwide. Now New Clio E-Tech full hybrid is taking the next step with its novel style and even sharper front face. The E-Tech full hybrid powertrain under the bonnet is a pleasure to drive and very economical: it delivers 145bhp and releases 93 grams of CO2 per km* This efficient technology is here to support our customer’s energy transition in many countries.”
The new Clio E-Tech full hybrid is available in seven elegant body colours: glacier white, diamond black, shadow grey, iron blue, flame red, Valencia orange and ceramic grey.
Clio E-Tech: The full hybrid reinvented. Coming soon.