New Renault Clio spied

Text: Dan Strong / Photos: Automedia

22nd September 2011

Here’s a first chance to see the face of things to come from Renault. Although this prototype Clio looks like the third generation car from the rear, if you look closely at the front you’ll spot there are some dramatic differences.

That’s because this car has the fixtures and fittings of the new, fourth-generation Clio and is fitted with the same front bumper and bonnet arrangement that will appear on the production car when it goes on sale in 2012.

You can clearly see the large, V-shaped indentation into which designers are planning to insert a super sized Renault badge, as well as the outline of the boomerang shaped radiator grille.

The newcomer, which will make its world debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show is promising to be better to drive, more daring to look at and cheaper to run.

And while rivals like the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa continue to forge their way to become more sporty, and more upmarket, a Renault insider who spoke to Auto Express has promised the newcomer will not forget its supermini roots – focusing first on offering value for money.

We revealed last week that the new Clio will only be available in five-door trim, and our original scoop illustrations from August 2011 show what drivers can expect to see from the car.

Under the bonnet, the newcomer will offer a range of petrol and diesel engines carried over from the current mode, as well as a new 900cc three cylinder turbo engine from the original R-Space concept car.

With 109bhp and 160nm of torque it promises CO2 emissions of around 95g/km and fuel economy of 76mpg.

There’s still no official  news on plans to replace the hugely popular RenaultSport Clio – though the French firm has not ruled out building a five door version of the car, powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine.