We already knew that the continuity of the Renault Clio was assured, despite the arrival of the brand’s new small electric cars. It now appears that the French utility vehicle will also be available with a purely electric version in its next generation.
Will the "half a million" car have a new version?
If at the start of 2024 the Renault 5 was chosen as the protagonist, pending a more crossover version for this autumn under the name "4", 2025 could be the year of the Clio. Its sixth generation is imminent and, fortunately for fans of the French utility vehicle, its future is not in danger.
Renault's speech in recent times is favorably encouraging. Not only when it comes to new offers, but, to our delight, the arrival of renewed, electrified icons. And, we have no doubt, the arrival of the new Renault 5 will not mean goodbye to a Clio that still has a lot to say.
The Renault brand is investing heavily in its range of small and affordable models, with a view to total electrification by 2035. And that agenda includes the Clio.
Although the sixth edition of the model is yet another facelift complete version of the current model and continue to be based on combustion versions with hybrid technology (and without diesel), a fully electric version is also being prepared.
Dual platform for the future Clio
The new Renault Clio is expected to arrive in the middle of next year, with the aim of hitting the roads in 2026. However, the launch of a 100% electric variant would not be at the top of the French company's list of priorities.
The Autocar website provided some interesting clues about how Renault would make the Clio the fifth electric model in the renewed family, after the new or imminent Mégane, 5, 4 and Twingo.
On the one hand, the new generation of Renault Clio will continue to use the current CMF-B platform for versions with combustion engine. Petrol will continue to play a predominant role, as dCi diesel engines will eventually disappear from the range.
The E-Tech full hybrid (HEV), micro-hybrid (MHEV) and even plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology, inherited from the Captur system, should occupy half of the future Clio range, particularly in the early stages. The LPG variants, with ECO label, will continue to be a much appreciated complement.
The future Renault Clio is also expected to be 100% electric, but based on a variation of the new AmpR Small platform, which underpins the recently revealed Renault 5.
In fact, this architecture will be available in three sizes: the smallest for the future reborn electric Twingo; an intermediate one for the new Renault 5 and 4; and a larger one for the aforementioned Clio. As this architecture has around 60% of components shared with the CMF-B, transferring the body from one to the other will be easy.
However, substantial aesthetic changes are expected between the two versions, with both adapting to the characteristics we have seen in recent times with the Scénic, Mégane, Austral, etc., leaving the more retro side to the smaller electric cars of the Renault range.
Possible price of the electric Renault Clio
The future electric Renault Clio will fill the gap between the Renault 5 and 4, around 20 mm smaller, and the Mégane, already in a clearly superior segment. The same will happen in terms of price: with the expectation that the "5" will surpass the 25,000 euro barrier, the future Clio should cost around 30,000 euros.
It was said from the beginning that the new Renault 5 was not intended to replace the Clio, which has such a strong identity that its future could not (or should not) be compromised. Especially taking into account the commercial success of its fifth generation. "The Clio is a brand in its own right."
Tags: Renault platforms generation Clio electric
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