New 2017 Renault Clio updates announced

This year marks the Renault Clio’s 25th birthday and with it comes some upgrades for the fourth iteration of the much-loved supermini. There’s some mild styling updates, more equipment, and, according to Renault, a higher-quality interior.

We’ll also see some new engines added to the range, alongside some new gearboxes, the combination of which should improve both performance and running costs.

Orders for the new car will open in October, and it’ll be battling in a very hotly contested area of the market. The Renault Clio is up against big-selling rivals like the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Polo, while it’ll also have to take on the likes of the Hyundai i20, Kia Rio, Mazda2, SEAT Ibiza and the Skoda Fabia.

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Upgrades for this year include all-LED headlights and the new Renault ‘signature’ C-shaped LED daytime running lights. Alongside the over-sized Renault ‘Diamond’ badge, this is quickly becoming the new Renault ‘family face’ and it can be seen on the Renault Kadjar, as well as the new Renault Megane and the forthcoming Scenic.

Further styling updates include a new grille, a refreshed front bumper and a revised rear skirt. You’ll also be able to have your new Clio in four new paint colours – Mars Red (pictured here) Titanium Grey, Arctic White and Iron Blue – while Renault is also promising a wider range of personalisation options. These include new wheel trims and new alloy wheel designs.

Renault is claiming that although the interior hasn’t change much in design terms, the revised model uses much higher quality materials than in the current car, materials Renault usually reserves for its more expensive models. The updated Clio will be available with more chrome trim, which can be had with a matt finish, instead of the usual glossy finish.

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You'll be able to choose from three different multimedia systems, too. Entry-level models will come with the R&Go system that allows you to use your smartphone as the car’s infotainment system, while higher-spec models will come with either the Media Nav Evolution or the R-Link Evolution systems.

This latter system comes with satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, a 3G internet connection and DAB radio. They also get voice recognition software, photo and video playback (when the car is stationary), access to the R-Link app store and control of the car's driver aids (where available).

Renault is also claiming that the new Clio is the first car in its class to come with the option of a BOSE premium stereo, while there are also more driving aids available. There are parking sensors at the front and back, as well as a reversing camera, while high-end models can be had with the option of an automated parking system.

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Under the bonnet, alongside the existing range of engines, there's a new 109bhp 1.5-litre diesel, which comes with a six-speed manual gearbox for the first time. This is also the first Clio that'll allow you to pair the aforementioned six-speed manual gearbox with the 118bhp 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The diesel will be the star of the running costs show, with CO2 emissions of just 90g/km making it exempt from road tax, while fuel economy of 80.7mpg means trips to the pumps won't be that frequent either. Mating the manual 'box to the 1.2-litre petrol engine has also improve fuel economy from 52.5 to 53.3mpg, while CO2 emissions have also dropped from 120 to 118g/km. This hasn't affected road tax, however.

Full prices and specifications will be announced later in the summer, but due to higher specification, new technology and improved interior quality, we expect you'll have to pay around £1,500 more for this model than the current equivalent Clio. The new car goes on sale in the UK in October.