Renault Clio 2019 revealed

Renault has confirmed key details for its new Clio light hatch ahead of its official unveiling at the Geneva motor show in March, revealing new styling in and out, as well as a new platform to allow autonomous and hybrid capabilities.

On the outside, the fifth-generation Clio features a fresh face with a larger grille, restyled front bumper, LED headlights and Renault’s C-shaped light signature.

New air deflectors on the front wheelarches are used to improve aerodynamics and fuel economy, and the rear of the car sports a wider look, new tail-lights and chrome-plated pieces lining the side window surrounds.

The French carmaker also confirmed that a new RS Line grade will join the line-up for the first time, giving sporty touches to the Clio including a honeycomb grille, an F1 Blade, 17-inch rims and more aggressive body touches.

The Clio is the first vehicle to adopt the new CMF-B architecture, which was developed by Renault’s partner Nissan.

The Clio is 14mm shorter and 30mm lower while having greater interior space, and increased boot space by 91 litres, to 391L.

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The new Clio will be the first of 12 Renaults to feature an electric powertrain by 2022.

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A digital display, available in either 7.0- or 10.0-inches, replaces the old analogue instrument cluster.

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With the CMF-B platform, the Clio is 14mm shorter and 30mm lower while having greater interior space, and increased boot space by 91 litres, to 391L.

According to Renault, the new platform affords the Clio enhanced autonomous and electrification capabilities. Just what those capabilities are have yet to be confirmed, however, Renault said it plans to make “driver-assistance systems leading to autonomous driving widely available on a city car”.

The Clio light car will be the first of 12 Renault vehicles to feature an electric powertrain by 2022, known as the E-Tech hybrid engine.

On the inside, the French hatchback boasts a more ergonomic design with modernised materials and features a large portrait-oriented 9.3-inch touchscreen with Renault’s Easy Link system matched with a Bose audio system.

Renault has also swapped out the ageing analogue cluster for a digital display available in either 7.0- or 10.0-inches, with the latter displaying satellite navigation data.

The interior also gains a new steering wheel, seats, centre console, a shorter gear lever and wireless smartphone charger.

Renault will offer various design schemes for the interior, as well as several exterior paint schemes including Valencia Orange, Vision Brown and Celadon Blue.

It is expected that local availability and specifications will become available after the vehicle is officially unveiled in March.

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