New 2019 Renault Clio spied for the first time

Next Renault Clio supermini could break cover later this year. We expect a hybrid powertrain and an evolutionary design update

The next-generation Renault Clio has been caught on camera for the first time, ahead of the hotly anticipated new supermini's expected debut at the Paris Motor Show in September.
Likely to go on sale in 2019, the Mk5 Clio will mark a big step forward for the popular small French car. An electrified powertrain option and basic semi-autonomous driving assistance features are expected to be big new additions.

It's been a busy period in the supermini segment, and the new Clio will step into a market bustling with recent arrivals. Fresh challengers include the new Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo. While the Citroen C3 is a little older than those cars, it's much newer than the current Clio, on sale since 2012.

Renault’s designers will also take the opportunity to give the supermini a new lease of life. Though the car spotted testing here still wears plenty of masking, the images suggest that car’s looks will be an evolution of the current model’s. Expect mild inspiration from the Renault Symbioz concept in places, such as the new grille. Our exclusive images preview how it could look.
Bigger changes can be expected inside, where the cabin will undergo a dramatic overhaul, according to Renault’s design boss Laurens van den Acker. A much larger, portrait-style touchscreen will dominate the dash and feature the latest smartphone connectivity apps, while a big jump in material quality will give a more premium feel. Van den Acker has previously said his design team needs to work on making future Renaults’ interiors as appealing as the exteriors.

The new Clio will be based on an updated version of the current car’s CMF-B platform in order to reduce development costs. That means a conventional range of petrol engines will be made available to buyers, including the new turbocharged 1.3-litre along with a revised version of the 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbo. Given the higher price point and current market trend away from diesel, it’s unclear whether Renault will offer the Clio with any dCi engines.

What will appear in the Clio for the first time will be a mild hybrid powertrain. This should make use of a small petrol engine paired with 48V electrics to help reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This type of electrification has been chosen because of its relative simplicity and affordability; Renault bosses have ruled out a plug-in hybrid version of the Clio, however.

Another way to help improve economy without passing on huge costs to consumers is by reducing the model’s overall weight. Renault will take lessons learned from the 2014 Eolab concept to help strip unnecessary kilos out of the car; this could include using aluminium in the construction, thinner glass and a simplified braking system.   
The Clio will also play a part in the French manufacturer’s push towards electrified and autonomous vehicles. By 2022, Renault is aiming to have eight fully electric and 12 hybrid cars, along with autonomous tech rolled out across 15 models. The brand has committed more than 18 billion Euros into R&D, which will go towards helping develop the technology.
The autonomous tech fitted to the Clio will allow the driver to hand over control of the vehicle’s speed and steering function to the car itself. Laws dictate that the driver must have their hands on the steering wheel at all times, however.

How Symbioz provides clues to Renault’s future designs

A prototype version of the Renault Symbioz concept from last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show has demonstrated the Level 4 autonomous functionality Renault predicts it will have on the road by 2023.
The car’s design will also influence the look of future Renaults; the first evidence will be on the Clio when it’s revealed towards the end of the year