Renault is giving the Clio an update for the 2023 model year, and while markets such as the UK will be moving to an all-hybrid line-up for the small hatchback, Irish buyers will still be able to choose a petrol-only 90hp TCe option.
Big grille and dramatic LED lights
The biggest change, or at least the one that you'll notice first, will be to the styling at the front of the Clio. There's a bigger, squarer grille with a prominent Renault diamond logo finished in brushed satin, with the new slimmer headlights pushed further out to the sides of the car. Most strikingly, there's a new set of arrowhead-shaped (half a Renault diamond, effectively) LED daytime running lights set low down on the front bumper.
If you go for the new Esprit Alpine trim - the replacement for the old sporty-looking RS-Line - then you'll get a distinctive F1-style aero-blade in the lower part of the bumper finished in a matte grey. Some other trim levels get the same aerofoil, but in body colour.
There's also a new rear bumper and new rear lights under a clear, crystal-like cover. You can have alloy wheels up to 17 inches in size, and you can choose from new paint colours - glacier white, diamond black, shadow grey, iron blue, flame red, Valencia orange or ceramic grey.
Recycled material
Renault says that it has improved cabin quality, while at the same time ramping up the amount of recycled material used in the interior. For instance, the seats, door panels and dashboard are clad in a specially developed sustainable fabric that comprises of up to 60 percent 'TENCEL' branded fibres, a bio-based cellulosic fibre manufactured by the Lenzing Group. The fibres are made from a renewable resource - natural wood that is sourced from sustainably managed semi-natural forests in Europe. These semi-natural forests absorb large amounts of CO2 and do not require any chemical fertilisers nor artificial irrigation.
If you go for a leather seat option, it's no longer leather. Instead it's TEP, a grained coated fabric made of bio-sourced and polyester fibres. Aside from not requiring any animal hide, it takes less water and energy to dye TEP than to dye fibres the conventional way.
The seats themselves have been updated with new foam panels that are claimed to offer better comfort and support.
The infotainment system now runs on a new 'edgeless' digital screen, similar to that used in the Megane E-Tech Electric, which measures either seven or ten inches, depending on the spec level.
Speaking of spec levels, the new sporty Esprit Alpine trim - named for Renault's F1 and Le Mans racing team - not only gets a unique grille and sporty-looking body kit, but also bespoke seats with a pattern inspired by athletic clothing, Alpine badging and lots of little French tricolours scattered about.
The Esprit Alpine models also get the biggest touchscreen and a ten-inch digital driver's display as standard (other models get a seven-inch instrument panel).
Safety standards
The Clio has long been a safe car, but Renault is ramping this up now with standard adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition with overspeed prevention and automatic emergency braking. Other high-end equipment now fitted as standard will include automatic air conditioning, hands-free card key and a wireless smartphone charger.
The hybrid system carries over unchanged from the pre-facelift model, and combines a 145hp power output with 93g/km CO2 emissions.
"Clio's success has never waned. It is France's best-selling car ever - with 16 million sold worldwide. Now new Clio E-Tech full hybrid is taking the next step with its novel style and even sharper front face. The E-Tech Full Hybrid powertrain under the bonnet is a pleasure to drive and very economical: it delivers 145hp and releases 93 grams of CO2 per km. This efficient technology is here to support our customers' energy transition in many countries" said Fabrice Cambolive, CEO, Renault Brand.
"Clio has enthralled us with every new generation: it has always catered to our wants and needs, kept up with the day's trends and kept what makes it a Clio. It was important for us to be true to the values that this icon stands for. So we factored them all in, and translated them to speak to today's conventions and introduce Renault's new people-centric, tech-centric design. New Clio E-Tech full hybrid successfully combines generous shapes and chiselled volumes with very technical, structured, precise and efficient lines" said Gilles Vidal, Design Vice-President, Renault.