2013 Renault Clio IV revealed

It’s actually not that bad. Quite smart, even.

Right on schedule, this is the new Renault Clio IV. There’s good news for Australian buyers, too, because Renault will be bringing a comprehensive range of Clio models down under. The all-new Clio will launch here in mid-2013 with the iconic RS hot hatch to follow around six months later.

After a closer look, and save for the curved insert on the lower part of the doors, we think it looks pretty good. Inside, we’re not quite as convinced, but true to its core values, Renault hasn’t followed convention with the interior and for that they should be applauded.

The Clio IV represents a new shift in Renault’s visual language as Laurens van den Acker, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Design explains: “New Renault Clio was conceived as a piece of sensuous sculpture which stimulates desire.

“Like muscles, its curves express the dynamism radiated by the DeZir concept car. No acute or aggressive angles, just voluptuous curves that make you want to go up to it and caress it.”

Renault is saving the finer details for the car’s first public debut, set to take place at the Paris Motor Show in September. However, they are giving us a preview of the new R-Link infotainment technology. Its 7” touchscreen has been clearly inspired by the iPad, even down to a special Renault R-Link Store where owners can purchase new apps.

The R-Link’s customisation possibilities are part of a key personalisation component for the new Clio. Indeed, buyers will be able to tailor several external features to their taste through a range of options for the wing mirrors, grille bars, rear panel skirts, lower door protectors and wheel finishes. As seen on the MINI, a choice of roof graphics can also be selected.

That theme will continue inside the Clio IV as well, with a wide range of choices for the dashboard, door panels, steering wheel, grab handles, gear lever surround, air vent surrounds, upholstery materials and more.

For the first time in a Clio a 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission will be available. Word is the EDC will be the only choice for the RS hot hatch, which may upset a few traditionalists. So too the Clio IV’s five door layout.

As a new direction, though, we think Renault has made a good start, despite our earlier reservations. There’s a heap of pictures for you after the break, complemented by three videos and Renault’s introductory press text.

New Renault Clio: love-at-first-sight styling, and packed with innovations

Since the launch of the original model in 1990, some 11.5 million Clios have been sold in more than 115 countries. Today, a new chapter in Clio’s history is about to be written with the unveiling of the fourth-generation version.

New Renault Clio stands out through the following features:

• Sensual, passionate styling, the fruit of the Renault design renaissance, plus an extensive range of exterior and interior personalisation options.

• Affordable innovative technologies:
  • Reversing camera, keyless entry, Renault R-Sound app, Renault Bass Reflex system,
    
  • Six-speed EDC dual clutch automatic transmission,
    
  • Renault R-Link, an integrated internet-connected touchscreen tablet.

• Genuinely fun to drive thanks to a comprehensive range of engines, all engineered to deliver market-leading fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions:
  • A new three-cylinder petrol engine: the Energy TCe 90 (4.3 litres/100km and 99g/km of CO2 ),
  • Energy dCi 90 (3.2 litres/100km and 83g/km of CO2).

“New Clio is set to make a real mark. In addition to an unprecedented package of innovations, its design marks a major shift from that of previous models.” Carlos Tavares (Chief Operating Officer)

New Renault Clio, an incarnation of the brand’s new styling identity

New Renault Clio is the first production model to give full expression to the Renault design renaissance inspired by Laurens van den Acker, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Design. The promise was to take the style and emotion of the brand’s latest concept cars and bring them to production models. Renault’s new small family car fulfils that promise.

“New Renault Clio was conceived as a piece of sensuous sculpture which stimulates desire. Like muscles, its curves express the dynamism radiated by the DeZir concept car. No acute or aggressive angles, just voluptuous curves that make you want to go up to it and caress it.” Laurens van den Acker (Senior Vice-President, Corporate Design)

Balanced, dynamic exterior proportions

New Renault Clio stands out through its front-end design which features a prominent Renault logo, set bold and upright to a gloss black background, an arrangement first seen on the DeZir concept car. This frontal treatment is further emphasised by the headlights – the lower edge of which is picked out in chrome – and LED daytime running lights. Offered only in five-door form, New Clio has a sporty silhouette, accentuated by integrated rear door handles concealed close to the rear quarter lights. In comparison with its predecessor, it packs extra dynamism and personality thanks to a lower ride height, wider tracks, wheels pushed out wide within the arches, and a reduction in the gap between the wheels and wheel arches. From launch, New Clio will be offered in a choice of eight body colours, including the launch colour (Flamme Red) which is derived from the red used for DeZir.

A fresh, welcoming, occupant-friendly cabin

Safe, protective and refreshing, the interior of New Renault Clio perfectly complements the exterior style to inspire confidence and energy. Comfort goes hand-in-hand with a modern feel and user-friendliness thanks to the dashboard sculpted in the shape of an aircraft wing, the optimally-positioned multimedia system on the centre console, a wide range of colour options, a digital speedometer, comfortable seats and chrome and piano-black trim highlights.

Broadest-ever personalisation programme, with a long list of affordable options

Exterior and interior personalisation was dialled into New Renault Clio’s design process at the very beginning. From launch, buyers will be able to personalise the exterior of their vehicle with a selection of door mirror housings, grille bars, rear panel skirts, lower door protectors and wheel finishes, as well as a choice of roof graphics. To personalise the interior, the menu covers the dashboard, door panels, steering wheel, grab handles, gear lever surround, air vent surrounds, upholstery materials and optional floor mats. Thanks to attractively-priced option packs, buyers are able to choose the look and feel they prefer.

New Renault Clio: packed with innovations

When it comes to innovation, New Renault Clio keeps up the Clio tradition of redefining expectations within its segment and raising the standards for small cars.

Renault R-Link – an integrated tablet connected to the car and internet

Having been first with notable innovations such as steering wheel-mounted radio controls (1982, R11 Electronic) and in-car navigation (1994, Safrane), after bringing keyless entry to the volume market (in 2001) and GPS navigation with a high-resolution screen (Carminat TomTom® priced at €490 for Clio in 2009), and having launched on-board connected navigation in the shape of Carminat TomTom® LIVE for Clio, Renault continues its stream of innovations with Renault R-Link.

Available as an option for New Clio, Renault R-Link provides a bridge between the car and the connected world outside thanks to:

• A wide seven-inch (18cm) touchscreen, intuitive voice commands and, as a market first, a home page that can be personalised by the user for safe and simple access to essential functions, without the driver having to take his or her eyes off the road.
• TomTom® connected navigation includes Live services and boasts the market’s best real-time traffic information, helping to minimise journey times and fuel consumption.
• Among other benefits, a connection with the car’s own electronic systems permits access to an advanced eco-driving function (Driving eco²) which analyses the driver’s behaviour and provides advice to help reduce fuel consumption.
• Thanks to the Renault R-Link Store, the automobile world’s first ever Application Store, users can easily view or download a comprehensive and varied range of apps from their car or computer (via ‘My Renault’).

The scope of Renault R-Link’s connected functions will continue to expand thanks to ‘Paris Incubateurs’ (a Paris-based hot-house for young talent) and to an appeal extended to start-ups at the LeWeb’11 show. Over and above the services provided by TomTom® LIVE and the COYOTE app, which alerts the driver to dangerous situations (in countries where this feature is available), R-Link users can also check their messages, for example, manage their diary, locate the nearest service station or place to park, or send a tweet….

One Renault R-Link app – Renault R-Sound Effect – enables the audio experience inside New Clio to be personalised by immersing the cabin in a specific sound environment. Renault R-Sound Effect can simulate six different engine sound profiles, each with a specific, attractive signature and perfectly synchronised with driving parameters such as speed and acceleration.

New Renault Clio will also be available with the MEDIA NAV system which is standard equipment for two from three equipment levels.
The intuitive, centre console-mounted MEDIA NAV system features a seven-inch (18cm) touchscreen, a radio and a Bluetooth® function for the audio streaming of music and hands-free use of a mobile phone. Portable music players can be connected via the fascia-mounted USB port or jack socket. MEDIA NAV is available with ‘Nav N Go’ navigation with 2D and 3D (Birdview) displays.
‘NAVTEQ’ maps can be updated via the USB port from a bespoke internet interface.

A world first: Bluetooth® radios with the Renault Bass Reflex system

All versions of New Renault Clio are available with a clever sound system integrated into the front doors’ loudspeakers. Known as Renault Bass Reflex, this system delivers the volume and listening enjoyment of a 30-litre home speaker enclosure. Bass frequencies are more powerful and the threshold of saturation and distortion is pushed much higher.

The entire New Clio range features Bluetooth®-equipped radios for hands-free telephone operation and audio streaming from portable music players with excellent sound quality. All radios incorporate USB and jack sockets.

New Renault Clio: a pleasure to drive, and targeting number one status for fuel economy and low CO2 emissions

New Renault Clio combines low fuel consumption with driving pleasure thanks to a significantly updated range of petrol and diesel engines. The two petrol engines (Energy TCe 90 and TCe 120) combine very low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions with responsive performance and mid-range acceleration. The significantly improved new-generation Energy dCi engines bestow New Clio with record-breaking fuel economy for the same driving pleasure.

Two new Energy engines: advanced technology for everyday motoring

New Energy TCe 90 petrol engine
New Clio is the first Renault model to feature the new three-cylinder petrol turbocharged Energy TCe 90 engine. This is the first three-cylinder powerplant ever produced by Renault and, from launch, will provide a remarkable balance between driving pleasure and fuel economy:

• This three-cylinder, turbocharged 900cc unit comes with Stop&Start and delivers the performance of a normally-aspirated 1.4-litre powerplant,
• Peak power of 90hp at 5,000rpm,
• An ultralow-inertia turbo for satisfying response from low engine speeds: 135Nm at 2,500rpm (90 percent of peak torque available from 1,650rpm),
• An economy-optimised version with taller gear ratios and fuel consumption of 4.3 litres/100km, equivalent to CO2 emissions of 99g/km ,
• A 21 percent fuel consumption and CO2 emissions savingc compared to the TCe 100 it replaces.

New diesel Energy dCi 90
The latest addition to the Energy family is a new 90hp version of the 1.5 dCi, equipped with Stop&Start:

• A four-cylinder 1.5-litre engine with 220Nm of torque available from 1,750rpm, an increase of 20Nm over the current dCi 90,
• Peak power of 90hp at 4,000rpm,
• An economy-optimised version with taller gear ratios which also qualifies for the Renault eco2 signature with fuel consumption of just 3.2 litres/100km, equivalent to CO2 emissions 83g/kmc.

New TCe 120, paired with six-speed EDC automatic transmission

New Clio will be available with the new, dynamic TCe 120 engine mated to six-speed EDC transmission (Efficient Dual Clutch), a first for Renault in the B segment:

• A four-cylinder 1.2-litre engine with the performance of a normally-aspirated 1.6 engine,
• Direct fuel injection and turbocharging for peak power of 120hp and 190Nm of torque from 1,750rpm.

This engine is currently in the process of being homologated and will become available in the first half of 2013. It will be among the most powerful, yet most economical engines in its class.

Along with the availability of EDC dual clutch transmission for the dCi 90 engine in the first half of 2013, New Clio will mark a further step in expanding access to the driving pleasure and seamless gearshifts delivered by this responsive and frugal automatic transmission.

Systems designed to promote economical driving

Over and above these engineering features, New Clio offers drivers an integrated suite of efficient solutions to help them reduce their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions:

• An ECO mode allows drivers to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent by modifying the car’s performance parameters at the push of a button.
• A driving style monitor (green, yellow or orange) and a Gear Shift Indicator (GSI) on the dashboardd help drivers improve their driving style to reduce their fuel consumption.
• The Driving eco² app available through Renault R-Link provides drivers with a full suite of information, enabling them to analyse their driving style and take corrective measures in order to reduce their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

New Renault Clio: a pledge of quality and safety

Manufactured in Flins (France) and Bursa (Turkey), New Renault Clio is built to Renault’s exacting quality standards. It is an affordable model that sets high standards in quality, with nothing to fear from larger or more expensive models. New Clio is built on a new version of the Alliance’s B platform which has been optimised for outstanding comfort, manoeuvrability and low noise levels.

Safety runs in the family: in 2005, Clio III became the first B-segment model to achieve a five star EuroNCAP crash test rating. Thanks to the comprehensive list of safety features it offers, New Clio, too, seeks to deliver the highest level of safety.

Further details of New Renault Clio will be provided at the international media road tests in September and at the Paris Motor Show.

The Clio success story: 22 years, and counting!

Launched in 1990, Clio can already look back at a career spanning 22 years, with more than 11.5 million cars sold in more than 115 countries. During that time, Clio has played a pivotal role in the history not only of Renault but also of the European market for small, versatile cars. Its trademark throughout has been to draw the segment upwards by bringing the qualities and equipment levels of superior classes to a wider audience. Clio is the only car to have been awarded the Car of the Year title twice.

• 1990: Clio I goes on sale, winning the Car of the Year award for 1991.
  
• 1991-1993: Introduction of Clio Williams and Clio Baccara, highly regarded sports and premium versions.
  
• 1998: Launch of Clio II, the first car in its segment to earn a four-star EuroNCAP crash test rating. It also popularised the separate display for the radio, automatic climate control and navigation with a colour screen.
  
• 2000: Clio Renault Sport and Clio V6 explode onto the sports scene.
  
• 2005: Debut of Clio III, the first B-segment model to score a five-star EuroNCAP crash test rating. Widespread take-up of the Renault-card keyless entry system.
  
• 2006: Clio III is named Car of the Year.
  
• 2007: The segment’s first 1.2 litre petrol turbo engine.
  
• 2008: For the first time, Clio is available in Estate form.
  
• 2009: Launch of Carminat TomTom®, bringing navigation to the volume market.
  
• 2010: Clio celebrates its 20th anniversary, as sales reach more than 11 million units. Carminat TomTom® Live, the first smart, connected navigation system; fully integrated and affordable.