Renault has given its Clio small hatch range a modest refresh for the 2017 model year, with some minor tweaks to exterior styling that help modernise its appearance, but stop short of bringing it into line with Renault’s new breed of passenger cars.
Bumpers are new, with a wider lower grille at front and a new shape at the rear that Renault says sports “additional robustness”. The headlamps and tail lamps sport new internals and LED elements, though the Clio doesn’t receive the same “extended-C” daytime running lamp arrangement as the new Megane, Koleos or Talisman.
New wheel covers and alloy wheel designs round out the remainder of the external changes, and four new colours have been added to the Clio’s colour palette - Intense Red, Titanium Grey, Pearlescent White and Iron Blue.
Interior changes are minor, with the Clio retaining its dashboard layout virtually unchanged - though Renault says material quality has improved, with all-new cloth and leather upholstery too.
The silver interior trim is more subdued, with a matte rather than glossy finish. The texture of some cabin plastics has been improved as well to help impart a more premium feel to the Clio’s cabin. Three infotainment systems will be offered in Europe depending on specification, starting with a base “R&Go” system, a midgrade R-Link Evolution and Media Nav Evolution.
Under the bonnet changes are limited to the addition of a range-topping 80kW 1.5 litre diesel to the range, plus a six-speed manual transmission for the formerly auto-only 88kW TCe 120 petrol engine.
The diesel is highly unlikely to come here, though it remains to be seen whether Renault will equip locally-delivered Clios fitted with the TCe 120 engine - namely the automatic version of the Clio Expression, the Clio Dynamique and Clio GT/GT Premium - with the six-speed manual.
Check out the Renault Clio range at a Group 1 Renault dealership. Find a Renault Clio that suits you here and take it for a test drive.
Article source: http://www.themotorreport.com.au/63608/2017-renault-clio-update-revealed-cosmetic-refresh-new-diesel
