The updated Renault Clio subcompact is coming to rival the Peugeot 208 best-seller, adding more style and technology into the mix

by Thanos Pappas

March 19, 2023 at 06:49

by Thanos Pappas

This story contains speculative illustrations that are neither related to nor endorsed by Renault

The Renault Clio, one of the most recognizable superminis in Europe, is up for a mid-lifecycle update since the fifth-generation model is already four years old. Following a recent spy appearance, our associates created an accurate rendering of the facelifted model, while we gathered all the available information about the upcoming updates.

While some rivals like the Ford Fiesta are being discontinued, Renault wants to keep the Clio alive at least for a few more years, competing with the soon-to-be-facelifted Peugeot 208 best-seller, the Toyota Yaris, and the VW Polo. Thus, the facelifted Clio will be sold in parallel with the upcoming Renault 5 EV, but not with the similarly-sized Zoe which is reportedly facing the axe soon.

Read: Here’s What We Know About The Updated 2024 Renault Captur

The ICE-powered supermini is ready to be unveiled as proven by a spy video that surfaced online last month and which since has been removed. It showed a fully uncamouflaged Clio shooting promotional footage alongside a camera car in Turkey, revealing the updated design of the front end.

The highlight of the facelifted model is the new boomerang-shaped LED fangs on the front bumper, which look similar to the styling language by rival Stellantis brands Peugeot and DS. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, since Renault’s design boss Gilles Vidal, spent the past decade as head of design at Peugeot. Still, we have to admit that Renault’s approach is slightly different, with the thicker DRLs below the aggressive headlights being an evolution of the theme first shown in the Scenic E-Tech concept. Other changes include a simpler grille with the new Renault emblem, and the omission of side bumper intakes.

The sculpted profile of the Renault Clio will most likely be carried over as is the case with most facelifts, but the company will likely add new alloy wheel designs and fresh color options. We haven’t got any spy shots of the rear end but we expect it to gain slimmer and more elongated LED taillights, as in other Renault models. This will allow it to differentiate from the previous fourth-gen Clio which admittedly looked very similar to the current fifth-gen model.

Since this is a facelift and not a new generation, we don’t expect radical updates inside the cabin. Thus, the Clio will likely retain its digital cockpit and not adopt the newer OpenR setup found in the Megane E-Tech and the Austral. However, the 9.3-inch touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster which are found in higher trims of the Clio could roll down to more variants, while benefiting from sharper graphics and new features thanks to the latest software. It will be interesting to see if Renault endows all trims of the Clio with soft padding on the dashboard, or if it will keep the hard plastics in the entry-level offering.

Read: Mitsubishi Brings Back 2023 Colt Subcompact From The Dead As A Rebadged Renault Clio

The company will also add more Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) into the mix, in order to be more competitive with newer rivals and retain a high score in EuroNCAP. The latter has gotten a lot more difficult for automakers, as the protocols have changed, requiring generous safety equipment.

The powertrain lineup of the Clio is not expected to change drastically, although the electrified versions will take a more important role. Renault is already offering a self-charging hybrid combining a naturally-aspirated 1.6-liter engine with two electric motors, a battery, and a sophisticated multi-clutch gearbox. This will be certainly carried over and possibly joined by the similar plug-in hybrid setup found in the mechanically-related Captur.

The entry-level models are also expected to retain the turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder petrol engine which also comes in bi-fuel flavor compatible with LPG. There is a chance that the mild-hybrid 1.3 TCe petrol from the much larger Austral finds its way under the bonnet of the Clio, although nothing has been confirmed yet. The future of the 1.5-liter diesel is also uncertain, as it will be hard for Renault to make it compatible with the upcoming Euro 7 emission protocols.

In terms of chassis setup, the fifth-gen Renault Clio is known for offering one of the best balances between a sporty and comfortable ride, so engineers will likely improve on the same recipe. For those longing for a hot hatch variant, the discontinued R.S. won’t come back anytime soon. After all, Renault Sport has given way to the Alpine, which is focused on launching a fully electric hot hatch based on the upcoming R5. What could happen though is a sporty-looking Alpine-badged trim of the Clio, that could replace the current R.S. Line range-topper.

As reported by L’Argus, the facelifted Renault Clio is expected to be unveiled in April, with its market launch following in the summer. Judging from Renault’s strategy with the Espace, there is a high chance the automaker begins a teasing campaign sometime in the following weeks. Note that the French supermini will also get a twin in Europe, as the upcoming Mitsubishi Colt will be a product of rebadging.