30 years ago, the Renault Clio followed in the footsteps of the Renault 5. The name of the small car comes from Greek mythology: Clio, meaning "the glorious one", is the muse of historiography. With over 15 million units produced across all model generations, the Clio is the best-selling French car of all time and repeatedly becomes the best-selling passenger car model in Europe. Among other things, it became the clear European number one in June 2020 with 37,119 new registrations. The little French car was also voted "Car of the Year" twice - in 1991 and 2006.
Clio I: More comfort and versatility than the R5
Urdorf, August 26, 2020 - Initially, Renault is not simply marketing the Clio as the direct successor to the legendary "Five", but is initially producing both models in parallel. With equipment features from higher segments, the Clio is aimed at a growing group of buyers who want more comfort and versatility but appreciate the compact format of the Renault 5. In line with the higher demands, the Clio is available with air conditioning, power steering and electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors. Customers were not the only ones to like this concept: the Clio, available in three- and five-door versions, was voted "Car of the Year 1991" by the trade press as soon as it hit the market.
Clio II: New role model for safety in the small car class
After seven years of production and over four million units produced, the second model generation followed in 1998. Just as the predecessor was a driving force for comfort in the small car class, the new edition with anti-lock braking system and front and side airbags ex works sets a new benchmark for safety in the B-segment. Thanks to the increase in exterior length from 3.7 to 3.77 meters, the second model generation also offers more space.
Clio III: First small car with five stars in the NCAP crash test
The Clio III is launched in autumn 2005. 3.99 meters long, it is 21 centimeters longer than its predecessor and offers even more space for passengers and luggage. There are also new equipment and safety features such as cruise control with speed limiter and up to eight airbags. Thanks to the high passive safety level, the Clio III is the first small car ever to achieve the maximum rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test in June 2005. In the fall of 2005, the Clio is voted "Car of the Year 2006", making it the first vehicle in the history of the competition to win the most coveted award in the automotive industry in Europe for the second time.
Clio IV: Pioneer of a new design language
With the Clio IV, offered exclusively as a five-door model, Renault is once again underpinning its leading position in compact and small cars in fall 2012. The new generation, which has grown to 4.06 meters, is the first production model to be completely designed according to the current Renault design philosophy. Modern downsizing engines and efficiency technologies such as the automatic start & stop system ensure exemplary fuel consumption figures.
Clio V: Important step towards automated driving
The fifth Clio generation presented at the beginning of 2019 retains the DNA that has made the model series a success for over 30 years and adds new product strengths based on its predecessors. For the first time in the small car class, the new edition features innovations such as the freeway and traffic jam assistant and the ultra-modern EASY LINK online multimedia system, marking an important step towards automated driving and the fully connected car. Since 2020, the Clio E-TECH with hybrid drive has complemented the model range and thus consistently continues Renault's electrification strategy.
