SCOOP CLIO REBORN

REVEALED Renault's sixth-generation Cl io hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, while sticking with petrol and hybrid power

- Phil McNamara

NEXT year's Renault Clio will launch the brand's curvy, new "Latin" look, rebooting the supermini's sporty, iconic status in a bid to keep it riding high in the small-car sales charts. Our exclusive images preview how the new model could look.

Reviving two "legendary icons" the electric Renault 5 small hatch and 4 SUV - has given the French brand the opportunity to modemise the designs of its "future icons", Renault Group's design director Laurens van den Acker told Auto Express.

And the Clio - launched 35 years ago, and about to enter its sixth generation - is one of Renault's three icons, along with the Scenic and Espace, which together popularised the multi-purpose vehicle in Europe.

"Our intention is to produce design icons though that will only be decided in 30 years' time," said Gilles Vidal, the Renault brand's design boss.

"With the Clio next generation, we can do very modern-looking, sensual Latin cars," added van den Acker. "We can push the sexiness, the sensuality and make these cars look very desirable in a modern way."

This twin-track approach to the product portfolio-legendary icons and future icons - underpins all aspects of the manufacturer's product planning, from design to vehicle platform to powertrains.

Customers of the R4 and R5 can only choose electric power, but the 2026 Clio will stick to petrol/hybrid power. "[This strategy] allows us to have a double offer which is very clear for customers, and the two don't cannibalise [each other's sales]," said the group design boss.

"It wouldn't make sense to do a 100 per cent EV Renault 5 and Clio.

We want to be careful not to create vehicles that overlap each other," added van den Acker.