The fourth generation Renault Clio is set to battle it out with the likes of Ford Fiesta and Fiat Punto with a stylish new body, upmarket interior ambiance and a set of economical new engine. This generation of Renault Clio is designed under the supervision of Laurens van den Acker, Renault new design chief, the new Clio is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor. In terms of chassis architecture, Clio Mk4 retains the McPhersons struts/Torsion Beam setup of the current model.
However, it is the exterior styling that takes the centre stage this time around. The front end is dominated by new corporate face with integrated headlamps and grille with prominent Renault badge takes the central attention. The headlamps is particular is not only intricate in its housing and internal graphics, but it also has a darkened lower surrounding that runs all the way right from the grille. The long and simple lower intake in adorned with circular fog lamps with chromed surround that flanks the horizontal slats.
The side profile is far from being slab sided prominent belt line that launches into the powerful rear haunches, the crisp detailing in the lower sills with contrasting insert and most importantly the rear door has been "eliminated" with the inclusion of Alfa-like hidden door outside handle.
The rear end meanwhile is no less interesting. Firstly the rear glass is well blended with the curvy flaring of rear haunch and the tailgate panel features a crisp protruding fascia that stands proud from being homogenous with the rest of the rear end panel. Chrome strip complete the rear end garnishing. Consistent with the theme set at the front end, the rear combi is installed within the darkened insert and the lower valence has the same outline as the front bumper lower intake.
Inside the cabin,the dashboard adopts a more upmarket design than before, with prominent centre console wrapped in piano black material. Together with the steering wheel, meter binnacle and door trim, these items features a rich interplay of plastic texturing, coloured insert and chromed lining. 7' touch screen is also part of the package from mid-range model onwards. Other than that, Renault is also offering interior personalisation program with several trim color selection.
In the powertrain department, the engine line-up for Clio Mk4 include the 900cc 3-cylinder turbocharged Energy Tce engine kicking out 89bhp and 135Nm, 1.5L turbodiesel Energy dCi punching out 89hp and 220Nm. The claimed fuel consumption figure for both are 4.3L/100km and 3.2L/100km respectively, mega economical MMN would say! A turbocharged 1.2L gasoline engine also is available, and hooked to a 6spd dual-clutch automatic transmission.
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