French carmaker Renault has stuck a little fuel in its hype machine, which it has all fired up ahead of the debut of the 5th-generation Renault Clio. The small hatchback is set to come into a new generation with promises of sophistication and intelligence and, judging by the teasers, a healthy dose of style too. And since the Clio has been one of the tidier-handling hatchbacks in the segment for a while, we’re sure that the new model will build upon that character too.
Of the exterior, we’ve been shown the new Clio’s prominent placement of the brand ‘lozenge’ on the nose, as well as some ‘Clio’ script etched into chrome trim. We’ve also been shown its ‘burnt orange’ colour which, to this writer, looks pretty sensational. Spyshots we’ve seen of the Clio in testing suggests that there won’t be any major surprises insofar as the body style is concerned, with the 5th-generation coming as a 5-door with a typical (and sensible) roofline.
The interiors also been shown off too, but in a far less vague fashion. The interior of the new Clio is set to feature technology heavily in an aesthetic called ‘Smart Cockpit,’ which is claimed to be driver-focused and packed to the gills with smarts. There’s a new digital display sitting ahead of the driver, with screen sizes ranging between 7-inches across to 10-inches across, depending on specification. Opting for the 10-inch screen bags you satellite navigation though, which we’re assuming can be displayed on that small screen.
Move towards the middle and you’ll spot the large 9.3-inch central infotainment screen, which Renault claims is the largest such infotainment screen ever fitted to a Renault. It’s tilted slightly towards the driver, and displays not only the EasyLink infotainment system but also the Multi-Sense system, allowing the driver to tailor the driving experience to their exact preferences.
The dash features a 3-way segmentation, with a foam-coated upper panel, a customisable central panel, and a lower panel that’s more utilitarian in design. The dash features elements that emphasise the width of the new Clio, such as a wave-like pattern that integrate neatly with the air conditioning vents. There’s also things like ambient lighting, “piano” buttons, digital air conditioning controls, and soft-touch materials.
No technical specifications have been released of the new-generation Renault Clio, so we’ll just have to wait for its official debut at the upcoming Geneva motor show to find out more. That said, on the surface, it appears that the new Clio is addressing issues levelled at it in the past, and doubling-down on all the things that new buyers in this segment prioritise. Looks like quite the thing too, doesn’t it?
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