New Clio Spied!

07th December 2008

The onslaught of new cars keeps coming from Renault. Hot on the heels of the latest Mégane, here’s the facelifted Clio!

First launched in 2005, the third-generation model has proved extremely popular for the French firm. But with Ford’s new Fiesta stealing much of the limelight, it’s due a makeover – and these are the results.

Our spies caught this lightly disguised five-door prototype undergoing testing. And as you can see, it’s been injected with the same Renault design DNA as the Mégane.

Set to make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the Clio gets heavily revised front and rear ends, featuring bold new lights. The restyle should make the supermini more distinctive than ever, as bosses bid to draw more new customers into showrooms.

The overhaul will also extend to the interior, which will benefit from improved dashboard materials, plus even more equipment as standard.

Following the leaps forward made with the Mégane, the company’s engineers will also address the Clio’s dynamics, sharpening its steering and tightening up the driving experience. Under the bonnet, Renault’s excellent 1.2-litre petrol turbo is likely to account for the majority of sales, although buyers will also be able to specify 1.6 petrol and 1.5-litre dCi diesels carried over from the outgoing car.

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