SPY PICS: Renault's next Clio nears

The first prototype mules were spotted more than a year ago and earlier this month the fourth-generation Clio was spied testing in the Northern Hemisphere snow; now fresh spy shots have emerged from the warmer climes of southern Europe as Renault readies its all-new supermini for its Paris Motor Show debut in late September.

Expected to be Renault Australia’s long-awaited best-seller when it arrives here around mid-year, 2013, after going on sale in Europe late this year, the larger new Clio IV will brandish fresh interior and exterior design and improved quality in its bid to woo buyers of light-sized European hatchbacks including the Ford Fiesta, Citroen C3, Skoda Fabia, Volkswagen Polo and upcoming Opel Corsa and Peugeot 208.

As evidenced by this camouflaged five-door snapped by Carparazzi, the Mk4 Clio will be the first internal combustion-engined Renault to bear the French brand’s edgy new design language that premiered on the all-electric Zoe micro launched recently in Europe, as well as the DeZir coupe and Frendzy people-mover concepts.

Key features are a distinctive new corporate face with prominent Renault grille logo, a wider body punctuated by buxom hind quarters, a lower-slung rear-sloping roofline and, in this case, hidden rear door-handles, while an unauthenticated teaser image doing the internet rounds last month also revealed radical new C-pillar sculpting.

This prototype of the volume-selling French hatch, which will be available only as a five-door hatch, also features some interesting appendages on its roof, doors and bonnet, which may or may not conceal some unexpected design cues.

Expected to be based on a slightly larger platform that liberates more passenger and cargo space while being up to 100kg lighter than the outgoing third-generation model, the new Clio is reported to offer a larger and more upmarket interior with more emotional styling and higher-quality materials.

According to a report by French magazine Le Figaro, which drove the new Clio exclusively, an all-new turbocharged 900cc three-cylinder petrol engine delivering 67kW and 135Nm of torque will be available under its stubby bonnet, while Renault’s 1.5 litre dCi turbo-diesel is due on offer.

Other reports say the next Clio will be available at base level with the same 900cc triple seen in the Micra from sister company Nissan, while a successor for today’s Clio RenaultSport hot-hatch will reportedly be powered by an upgraded version of the turbocharged 140kW/240Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine seen in the Nissan Juke.

Renault Australia is expected to introduce the full Clio IV line-up in Australia, including entry-level variants that should cost less than half the price of the top-shelf RenaultSport models sold here now, in line with its sub-$20,000 rivals.

Renault’s existing RS200 (from $36,490) and RS200 Trophee ($38,990) – the only Clio models available in Australia - are powered by a 147.5kW/215Nm 2.0-litre petrol four that is claimed to accelerate the MkIII Clio to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds.

Transmission choices are likely to include five-speed manual and twin-clutch automatic gearboxes, and while the French report says red, black, brown or white dashboard colours will be available at no extra cost, Renault has confirmed the Zoe’s new R-Link infotainment system will also grace the new Clio.

Renault has sold just 11 Clio RS models in Australia so far this year, and just over 1000 vehicles in total – up 32 per cent thanks mostly to the new Megane, sales of which are up more than 60 per cent. Renault Oz says it also remains on target to launch its first all-electric model here this year, in the Fluence ZE.

Renault Australia's Corporate Communications Manager, Emily Ambrosy told motoring.com.au in an email overnight that the local arm was "definitely excited by Clio IV". Providing further background, she wrote: "It’s the first ICE vehicle with ground-up design from Laurens van den Acker... [and] will be a game changer for Renault. The Clio IV is inspired by the DeZir concept and will take some of its styling cues from there."

Ms Ambrosy also provided a teaser image that shows the corporate styling cues lifted from the DeZir for the frontal styling and rear end of the new Clio.

-- with Carparazzi

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