Renault has previewed the fifth-generation Clio, which makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show and will play a key role in the brand’s plans for electrification.

All-New Clio is first Groupe Renault car to be built on new CMF-B platform

Renault’s best-selling model, the Clio has sold some 15 million units globally since it was launched in 1990 and has seen sales increase each year between 2012 and 2018.

The new Clio will build on this by advancing design while also cascading down technology from models higher up in the brand’s line-up.

It will also spearhead Renault’s ‘Drive the Future (2017-2022)’ strategic plan. First announced in autumn 2017, the plan has three key objectives. These include electrification with the brand to offer 12 such models in its range from 2022, first of which will be the Clio with its E-Tech hybrid engine based on technology developed by Renault.

The plan also targets sets out that by 2022, the company is targeting 100% connected vehicles in its key markets, demonstrated by the Clio with its new connected multimedia system developed by the Alliance.

The third prong of the plan covers autonomous tech with plans by 2022 to market 15 models equipped with autonomous driving technology, and the Clio will help advance this by making the driver assistance systems leading to autonomous driving widely available on a city car.

The new model is the first Renault car to be built on the new CMF-B platform and brings all-new parts along with a completely redesigned interior said to be inspired by higher-end segments, both in terms of perceived quality and available technology.

Technology highlights include a new ‘Smart Cockpit’ with a large 9.3-inch vertical multimedia screen while the interior also gets a 10-inch TFT digital instrument binnacle, said to be class-leading.

The new model will also offer enhanced customisation with eight interior design schemes and 10 exterior colours.

Commenting on the significance of the model, Laurens van den Acker, senior vice president, corporate design, said: “The fifth-generation Clio is very important for us as it is the best-seller in its segment and the second best-selling car in Europe, all categories combined. The Clio is an icon, and the latest features the very best of the previous generations. The exterior design of Clio 4 won over our customers and continues to do so today, so we chose to keep that DNA while bringing modernity and elegance to the new model. The interior has undergone a true revolution, with a considerable improvement in perceived quality, greater sophistication and technology. It is the best Clio yet.”