New Renault Clio revealed

Renault Clio – Esprit Alpine Rouge Absolu – Photos
Renault Clio – Esprit Alpine Rouge Absolu – Photos

Over its 35-year history, Clio has always set the benchmark in its category in Europe and has remained the best seller for Renault throughout its five previous generations. The first model, launched in 1990, represented a conscious step up in quality and a complete revolution in its segment, reflected in the adoption of an actual name, rather than a number, to follow on from the Super-5 era.

Over the generations, Clio has consistently redefined standards in its segment in terms of design, comfort, cabin space, quality, safety, driving pleasure, and multimedia features, while also reducing emissions. These efforts twice earned the model the highly esteemed title of European Car of the Year, in 1991 and 2006.

Clio has included numerous iconic versions over the years, such as the sporty 16V and Williams, and the incredible Clio V6 with its rear mid-engine. Overall, Clio has sold nearly 17 million units across 120 countries around the world, making it the best-selling French car of all time. In fact, Clio continues to top the charts, emerging as the best-selling car in Europe in the first half of 2025.

In the UK, Clio has sold over 1.3 million units since its introduction in 1990.

The fifth generation Renault Clio introduced a full hybrid E-Tech 145hp powertrain, which has proved very popular among UK consumers. So far in 2025, UK Renault Clio sales have been split roughly 40/60% petrol/HEV. 

Renault Clio Images

Preshow Renault Clio 6, August 30th 2025 at Aubervilliers, France – Photo Clément Choulot / DPPI

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the founder of Motoring Chronicle and an FIA accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following motorsport and the global automotive industry. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered Formula 1 races and automotive events at venues around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every race report, car review, and industry analysis he writes. His work spans the full breadth of motoring — from the latest EV launches and road car reviews to the cutting edge of motorsport competition.

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Freedom or safety for young drivers? UK can and must deliver both, says GEM 11/05/2026 SHARE: Images are for editorial use only. Experts gathering at Young Driver Focus in London on 13 May to press for action, not further delay Young drivers remain disproportionately at risk, with preventable deaths continuing on UK roads International evidence shows graduated driver licensing can cut crashes by up to 40% GEM Motoring Assist will return to the RAC Club, London, on 13 May as headline sponsor of Young Driver Focus 2026, renewing calls for decisive action to improve protection for newly-qualified drivers. Despite years of evidence and advocacy, the UK has yet to introduce a comprehensive system of graduated driver licensing (GDL) - a move GEM and other road safety groups say is costing young lives. GEM head of road safety James Luckhurst said: “We are long past the point of asking whether we should act. The evidence is overwhelming, and the consequences of delay are measured in lives lost and families devastated.” GDL is a phased approach that allows new drivers to gain experience under lower-risk conditions before progressing to full driving privileges. Common measures include limits on late-night driving and restrictions on carrying same-age passengers during the months after passing the test. International research consistently shows crash reductions of between 20% and 40% where GDL systems are in place. In some regions of Canada, reductions in young driver deaths have exceeded 80%. In the UK, drivers aged 17 to 24 account for around 20% of road deaths, despite making up just 7% of licence holders. Inexperience, distraction and overconfidence remain key risk factors - precisely the issues GDL is designed to address. GEM stresses that a well-designed system supports rather than penalises young people, and a recent TRL review1 found no significant negative impact on access to education, employment or social activity. GEM supports a system that extends structured learning, reduces known high-risk conditions and allows young drivers to build skills progressively and safely. GEM head of road safety James Luckhurst said: “We do many things well in the UK, particularly in driver training, but the current system offers too little structured support once someone passes the test. That’s where the real risk begins. “The choice is simple: continue with a system we know is failing too many young people, or take proven steps that will save lives. Doing nothing is not a neutral position - it is a decision with consequences… and Young Driver Focus offers a chance to translate the latest insight into real-world action.”

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