Evolution outside, revolution inside - the fifth generation of the Renault Clio has made significant gains, especially when it comes to true values. The French have invested heavily in technology and comfort. Old Clio friends must also be able to say goodbye.
As open as Antoine Genin, only a few designers talk about the weaknesses of a car of their brand: "The interior of the Clio has just simply not kept what the outside has promised." Innovative, high-quality and sporty stand there the small car. But materials and workmanship in the interior speak a different language. The screen in the center console, for example, looks "like a television of the seventies."
Fortunately for his employer, the customers don't speak such harsh judgment. The Clio is still the market leader in its segment in Europe. In 2018 the French sold around 1.000 Clio every day. With Generation 5, which is now being presented at the Geneva Motor Show, Renault wants to continue its success. And the chances are good.
Externally, the design is now a bit sharpened, the four-meter car one centimeter shorter and almost three flatter. Chrome trim and standard LED light make it sparkle more. At first glance, the difference to its predecessor is not so obvious. Nevertheless, the Clio V stands on a completely new platform.
Anyone who gets behind the wheel immediately notices the difference: the cockpit behind the steering wheel is fully digitally animated on request. In the higher versions is also an upright monitor with 9,3 inch size. The largest touchscreen in this class makes a lot of sense: It allows the information to be displayed in high-resolution on the screen of two seven-inch screens on top of each other. So about Navi above and below the music program and phone function.
The feel-good factor in the Clio has also risen very much. Passengers in the back have to make do with very narrow windows, but they sit comfortably. Genin and his colleagues made the seat backs thinner without losing comfort - and also found other clever space solutions. The entire center console with gear stick, climate control and touchscreen, for example, moves upwards. That makes the interior airier.
Despite the shorter body of the Clio puts also in the trunk vigorously: 391 liters capacity are currently best in the class. If you take larger luggage with you, you will get a flat cargo area after folding the back seat and storage space under a double floor. But the packer has to lift boxes over a high loading sill. Additional storage compartments in the interior offer additional 26 liters of space.
More soft fabrics and plastics noticeably upgrade the Clio - at least with the better versions. The base, which probably starts at just under 13.000 euros, will not look poor despite the plentiful hard plastic. After all, a smaller touchscreen, traffic sign recognition or lane departure warning are already on board. And a basic one-liter petrol engine with 65 hp.
If you can move in the direction of the 20.000 Euro sound barrier, you get up to 130 PS from the 1,3-liter in the new Clio, which also works for Mercedes. This fits the sporty equipment line RS Line. There is no real GT. The up to 100 PS of a new one-liter turbo will also get started quickly. Denault also offers the LPG version and with dual-clutch transmission. Whether the two known diesel with 85 and 115 PS find their way to Germany, Renault has not yet decided.
And it will also take at least a year longer for the premiere of the new hybrid after the market launch in summer. The electrified Clio will have its super-compact electric motor directly on the gearbox, combined with a 1,6-liter vacuum cleaner there is 130 hp system power. The 1,2 kWh battery on the rear axle brings one or two kilometers of purely electrical starting phase. With the modular brother of the next Captur, this battery is increased tenfold - making the SUV a plug-in vehicle. Unlike the Peugeot 208, which is also brand new, there is no purely electrical output in sight from the Renault Clio.
The assistance systems now also have automatic track keepers, autonomous cruise control and even a traffic jam assistant - unfortunately only in the 1,3-liter petrol engine for the time being. This keeps the Clio in the middle of the track and masters the stop-and-go. Adaptive high beam and modern infotainment are distributed more democratically among the versions - if only optionally. Android Auto and Apple Carplay are integrated, the cell phone can be charged inductively. The functions can also be updated using the built-in SIM card. Renault promises to constantly add new apps and functions.
However, the French also took off with the Clio - namely the combi version. This has been canceled due to a lack of demand from the successor. Instead of “grand tours”, customers who need space should rather buy the Captur. At least it works in Germany. The SUV was the best-selling Renault in 2018. The top position should make him the number 5 clio this year. Because the new Captur comes in winter at the earliest.