Renault has given its fifth-generation Clio a mid-cycle update to keep up with its rivals in the supermini segment like the Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia, and SEAT Ibiza. The facelift includes a redesigned front with slimmer headlights and a wider grille, featuring a checkerboard pattern. The taillights have been made clear to be fashionable again, and the diffuser has six different available designs depending on the trim level and whether it's a hybrid or not. The flagship trim replacing RS Line is called Esprit Alpine.
Renault's updated Clio comes with a choice of five wheel designs up to 17 inches, featuring the new corporate logo in brushed aluminum. The Esprit Alpine and Techno trims have a shark fin antenna, and paint options include Arctic White, Platinum Gray, Black Pearl Black, Iron Blue, Decir Red, Valencia Orange, and tri-coat Rafal Gray. Inside, the cabin features new sustainable materials, with no leather upholstery options. The Esprit Alpine trim has sportier front seats with better lateral support. Technology includes digital instrument clusters in 7- and 10-inch sizes, a 7- or 9.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, built-in navigation, a 360-degree camera, and 20 driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control and Level 2 partially automated driving.
The available powertrain options for the vehicle include a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine with 65 horsepower and 70 pound-feet of torque that is connected to a five-speed manual gearbox. Another option is a turbocharged version of the same engine that produces 90 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque, and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Both engines power the front wheels.
The top-tier powertrain for the Clio is the Clio E-Tech Full Hybrid 145, which combines a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 1.2-kWh battery pack to produce 145 hp. This power is transmitted to the road through a clutchless transmission with two speeds for electric mode and four for combustion engine mode.
Renault is also offering a three-cylinder turbo engine that runs on compressed natural gas and produces 125 lb-ft of torque while emitting less CO2 than its gasoline equivalent. Additionally, Renault will offer a diesel option in the 2024 Clio with the Blue dCi 100 unit, a 1.5-liter engine that produces 100 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission.
