Renault unveils the sixth generation of its Clio

Renault has unveiled the sixth generation of its Clio hatchback. But while it hits French roads early next year, Britons have to wait until 2027 to get their mitts on one. Some 37 years after Nicole and her Papa launched the original in the UK in 1990, what would the famed father and daughter have to say about the delay? Not only is the new flexible five-seater Clio bigger and sharper but also promises improved performance and efficiency, dynamic handling, refined ride, comfort, and quieter operation than the outgoing model.

Renault bosses say they hope it will be ‘love at first sight’ for prospective customers as they launch Clio with a swirly red heart – that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Walls ice-cream logo – and a darkly serious TV campaign with epic music, a sensuously athletic woman, and the strapline ‘Love redesigned’ that feels like the opening titles to a Bond movie. Renault say somewhat effusively that they have ‘superpowered’ the new Clio with emotion, new powertrains and technology.

Significantly it will be offered in the UK only as a hybrid or as a frugal three-cylinder pure petrol model. That, say Renault bosses, is because their popular and award-winning new Renault 5 has already taken up the baton for their electric hatchback EV offering, along with the Renault 4 and forthcoming all-electric Twingo.

With 1.3 million examples already sold in the UK since 1990 – and 17 million worldwide – the last petrol-powered Clio faces its toughest act yet to remain popular among the new range of compact crossovers taking over our roads. The Daily Mail was given a sneak preview of the new model in Paris ahead of its official unveiling on Monday at the IAA German Motor Show in Munich. Here’s what we know about it so far…

Renault says the new sixth-generation model packs many traditional larger vehicle qualities into a smaller mid-sized car – including in-car technology and enhanced interior materials. As a result, the new Clio model is marginally bigger than the current model (67mm longer, 39mm wider, 11mm higher and with a wheelbase increased by 8mm), riding on 16 or 18-inch wheels depending on the spec and options. It will be launched in the UK in two new reconfigured powertrains – one hybrid and one petrol – promising improved performance and fuel efficiency in three trim levels.

However, while models for France and Continental Europe will hit showrooms early in 2026, British buyers will have to wait at least another year until 2027 before right hand drive models appear on UK shores. When they do, expect pricing to be broadly in line with the existing model, allowing for inflation and market conditions, so roughly from around fractionally below £20,000 to just under £30,000.

The new Clio will be available in the UK with two engine options. The first is a new 160hp (up 15hp) 1.8 litre 4-cylinder full hybrid E-Tech engine linked to a six-speed automatic gearbox offering ‘record-low’ CO₂ emissions of 89 g/km, average fuel consumption of just 72mpg, and a range of around 620 miles. It has two electric motors powered by a 1.4kWh battery and can drive up to 80 per cent of the time in electric mode in urban areas, offering up to 40per cent fuel savings compared to petrol engines. The instant pulling power from the electric motors means it can accelerate from rest to 62mph in just 8.3 seconds – one second faster than the previous generation Clio.

And Renault claims that for city use up to 80 per cent will be in fully electric mode. The second option is a frugal 115hp 1.2-litre three-cylinder TCe turbo petrol engine – delivering what Renault describes as ‘a significant performance boost’ over the previous generation Clio. It will be available with a six-speed manual gearbox (but not the six speed automatic which will be offered in the rest of Europe). It will propel the car from 0 to 62mph in 10.1 seconds. Fuel consumption is 47mpg with CO₂ emissions from 114g/km. Both versions are limited to a top speed of 112mph . More powerful sporting variants are likely to follow.

The sculpted and sensual exterior of the new Clio is ‘inspired’ by Renault’s Emblème concept car with a bold LED light signature and a dynamic coupe-like roofline. The increased size has helped enhance its sporty stance, fluid curves and dynamic silhouette, says Renault. Its expressive grille has a diamond pattern with piercing LED headlights. Sportiness is enhanced through the car’s widened track, black wheel arches, and alloy wheels up to 18-inches.

Integrated rear door handles, a sloped rear window, and sportily shaped taillights add to its athletic rear. The dynamic roofline echoes that of compact coupe. There are seven colour palettes and customers seeking options can add a custom-shaped rear spoiler or a lower side skirt protection pack to boost Clio’s sporty character.

There’s a new more comfortable driving position and a compact steering wheel improves agility by reducing lock-to-lock steering turns from 3.3 to 2.6. Higher trim-level dashboards feature a central 10.1-inch screen and an adjacent driver’s screen up to the same size. Ambient LED lighting gives a choice of 48 colour variations with an illuminated element set into the door panels. In top Esprit Alpine spec, the dashboard fabric is replaced with Alcantara and a painted zone near the air vents evokes a high-tech ‘burnt metal’ finish.

The boot is more accessible thanks to a 40mmm lower loading threshold, with capacity of up to 391 litres (309 litres on the hybrid because of battery space) and an opening button integrated directly into the tailgate. Plenty of cubby holes and charging points including two USB-C ports up front, a wireless charging pad (on higher specs) and a rear 12V socket that can power a USB adapter or accessories like a mini fridge. Eco-concerns mean more than a third (33.7per cent) of materials used in the Esprit Alpine version are ‘green’ – including 24per cent recycled. More than 85 per cent of the full hybrid Esprit Alpine (with 18-inch wheels) can be recycled, says Renault.

Google is at the heart of the new Clio’s connectivity with Google Maps navigation, Google Assistant voice control (including vehicle functions) and access to Google Play with more than 100 apps There’s Wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and a wireless charging pad built into the centre console on higher spec models Optional Harman Kardon audio offers five sound profiles developed with Oxygene composer Jean-Michel Jarre: Studio, Podcast, Concert, Immersion, and Club.

Commenting on the new Clio, Renault UK managing director Adam Wood said: ‘We are delighted that the success story of the iconic Renault Clio will continue. ‘Nicole and Papa really would be proud. This takes Clio to a new level. ‘A new generation of Clio allows us to maintain our dual strategy of offering bespoke electrified and internal combustion vehicles into the next decade, in a segment of the market for which Renault has always been famous.’ Renault design chief Paula Fabreget-Andreu is certain it has a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ or indefinable quality: ‘I’m really confident you will fall in love with the new Clio.’ After arriving in 1990, Clio has been a best-selling and award-winning icon of the Renault range for three-and-a-half decades.

It is the best-selling French car of all time and to date in 2025, Clio is ranked as Europe’s best-selling car, and was named European Car of the Year in 1991 and 2006. Britain particularly took the Clio to its heart from 1990 thanks to a clever, charming and captivating, TV advertising campaign centred on the gallic adventures of French father and daughter duo Nicole (played by Estelle Skornik) and her Papa (by the charming Max Douchin) – their names being the only two words used by them. Clio then evolved with its Va Va Voom campaign from 1998 with French model and actress Hélène Mahieu (with whom I had dinner) and from 2001 footballer Thierry Henry.

However, a later ‘Va Va Voom Button’ Clio advert in 2013 featuring scantily-clad burlesque dancers in a Parisian style setting was banned after UK advertising watchdogs branded it sexist because it ‘invited viewers to see them as sexual objects’. So far this year UK Renault Clio sales are split roughly 60 per cent hybrid and 40 per cent pure petrol That compares to the overall UK hatchback segment of 12 per cent electric, 65 per cent petrol, and 22 per cent hybrid (with the rest as diesel and LPG), with Renault noting ’88 per cent of the market remains non-EV’.