The Renault Clio might not be very popular here in Malaysia but in Europe it enjoys a cult like status among enthusiasts. Every new Clio wins more hearts and to be fair, looses some as well as personal preference makes a difference, but not if Renault can help it.
According to reports online, the next Renault Clio will be sensational and will bring back daring design to the Renault’s model ranks after the current models somewhat controversial looks. That’s the view of Steve Norman, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing for Renault, who gave Autocar inside information on the forthcoming supermini recently, describing it as “a car with the makings of an icon”.
“Clio IV has the potential to do two things for us: to make us the leading player in Europe’s biggest market sector, and to show a new generation of buyers how fantastic our cars can look,” said Norman.
“I can’t describe just how amazing it looks. It’s a real masterstroke of design. You have to see it for yourself to believe it.”
The new Clio will be previewed at the upcoming Paris Motor Show in September in the form of an advanced Clio concept.
“It’s quite a far-fetched show car, nothing like a conventional supermini,” said Norman. “But it’ll gives you a flavour of what to expect.”
Our source says that company insiders are suggesting that the new Clio will take several design cues from the Zoe concept (pictured above) – a similar sized, all-electric hatchback soon headed for production.
It’s also rumoured that, while design work on the Clio IV was already underway in early 2009, new Renault design boss Laurens van den Acker ordered several changes to the car when he arrived in May of last year.
But this is the part that I don’t quite understand, Van den Acker recently told Autocar that the new Clio “has the McDonald’s ‘Big Mac’ factor: it’s a very pretty car – good enough to eat!” Is that supposed to be a good thing? Because I’m no fan of Mcdonalds but I love the Clio.
