Star of the Renault display at this week's IAA Mobility show in Munich is an all-new Clio hatchback, the sixth generation of the nameplate. It's a little bigger than before and comes with a focus on quality and interior space. However, Irish buyers will have a wait a while before they can get their hands on one.
Are you sure we're looking at the new Renault Clio?
It's quite the departure for the Clio in design terms. Look through the history of the badge and there's a clear evolution from one generation to the next, but Renault's designers have seemingly jumped a couple of iterations this time around as the new car looks nothing at all like the model on sale today.
Defining features include a 'pointy' nose defined by lots of grille area (look closer and you'll see the holes are all Renault-diamond shaped), sharp headlights that seem to burst from the smooth bodywork and sculpting of the panels that Renault's designers liken to taking a spoonful of chocolate mousse. Up front, the large daytime running light signature continues the half-diamond motif seen of late from the brand.
Hidden rear door handles give the new Clio a sporty appearance, which is further augmented by its distinctive rear light design, using two separate units on each side. Black wheelarch detailing is found across the lineup, with a glossy finish for the top trim levels, while Renault is particularly proud of the fact that the Clio is the only car in its class with hidden weatherstrips at the base of the side glass.
The pert new design disguises the fact that the new Clio is larger in all directions than the outgoing model, with 67mm added to the length, 39mm to the width and 11mm to the height.
Our main picture shows a Clio in 'Shadow Grey', though buyers can also choose more eye-catching hues such as 'Absolute Red', 'Absolute Green' or 'Iron Blue' if they really want to draw attention to the new design.
Something that might be easy to miss in the pics is that the radiator grille and the 18-inch alloy wheels of the Esprit Alpine variant get dark blue accents.
Is the interior of the Clio as radically different?
It's undoubtedly a big step up from the outgoing car's, though the Clio's new cabin is unlikely to divide opinion. Much of it we've seen already in the electric Renault 4 and 5 models, with two digital screens (10.1-inch items in most models, we believe) and an operating system featuring Google software built in.
Where the electric Renaults emphasise their heritage, the Clio's interior is thoroughly modern. The centre console features a neat iPad-cover-like lid and the textile covering on the dashboard extends into the door cards, truncated by eye-catching ambient light detailing. Alcantara is used extensively in the Esprit Alpine version.
The larger exterior translates into more interior space than before and, while the boot is no larger (holding 391 litres in the non-hybrid), its load height has been lowered by 40mm to make it easier to access.
Is the new Renault Clio not electric?
Some will be surprised by that, but no, this Clio is not electric. As before, it will be offered with a choice of either petrol or hybrid power. The entry-level model in Ireland will be powered by a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine making up to 115hp, paired with a manual gearbox.
The alternative is a 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain producing 160hp while managing as low as 89g/km emissions. It's essentially the same system as debuted in the Dacia Bigster.
And when will the new Renault Clio go on sale in Ireland?
Here comes the bad news... While left-hand-drive markets such as France should see an introduction of the new Clio next year, Irish buyers may have to wait until the start of 2027 for right-hand-drive production to ramp up. Hence, unsurprisingly, Irish prices for the new Renault Clio have yet to be announced.