Renault has finally made the reveal of the all-new 2013 Clio MK4 official. Set to debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, the latest Clio hatchback is described as the first full expression of Renault’s “design renaissance.” It sports many design cues previewed on several of the French automaker’s recent concepts and production vehicles, including the Alpine A11-50 Concept and the ZOE electric car.
A key highlight of the new design language is the brand’s new front fascia, which is characterized by a more prominent logo smack dead in the center, sweptback headlights, gloss black trim and LED daytime running lights. Elsewhere on the exterior, you have a more fluid and — in the words of Renault — “voluptuous” sheet metal begging to be caressed, wider fenders and integrated rear door handles that make the car look like a three-door hatchback.
The interior is clean and simple, adorned with higher quality materials and sporting a more aesthetically-pleasing design direction. Key highlights include a dashboard said to be inspired by the wings of an airplane and that can be ordered in red, black, brown or white at no extra cost; an instrument cluster layout and design that can be had in either digital or analog guises; and the availability of an infotainment / navigation system (called R-Link) with a 7-inch screen. All models will be available with a ‘clever’ sound system integrated into the front doors’ loudspeakers, as well as Bluetooth-equipped radios system with USB and jack sockets.
Weighing 100kg (220 pounds) less than its predecessor, the new Clio promises improved performance and fuel-efficiency. It will initially be offered with two engines, the first of which is a new 0.9-liter three-cylinder turbocharged Energy TCe petrol making 89-hp (90 PS) and 135 Nm (100 lb-ft) of torque. The engine gets an average fuel consumption of 4.3lt/100km (54.7 mpg US / 65.7 mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km. The second powerplant is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel (Energy dCi 90) engine making 89-hp (90 PS) and delivering a combined 3.2 lt/100 km (88.3 mpg UK) in fuel consumption.
A new 1.2-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine (TCe 120) with 118-hp (120 PS) and 190 Nm (140 lb-ft) will be offered in early 2013.
2013 RENAULT CLIO
