The new Renault Clio full hybrid E-Tech Esprit Alpine Design Preview in Shadow Grey
Over its 35-year history, Clio has always set the benchmark in its category in Europe and has remained the best seller for Renault throughout its five previous generations. The first model, launched in 1990, shook up the market by offering a level of quality comparable to higher-end categories and a range of features never-before-seen in a car. Clio represented a conscious step up in quality and a complete revolution in its segment, reflected in the adoption of an actual name, rather than a number, to follow on from the Super-5 era. Over the generations, Clio has consistently redefined standards in its segment in order to better satisfy the emerging needs of clients and always raise the bar in terms of design, comfort, cabin space, quality, safety, driving pleasure, and multimedia features, while also reducing pollution emissions. These efforts twice earned the model the highly esteemed title of European Car of the Year, in 1991 and 2006. Clio has developed numerous iconic versions over the years, from the luxurious Baccara (and the famous ad slogan “Not expensive enough, my son”) and Initiale Paris, to the sporty 16 S and Williams, not forgetting the incredible Clio V6 with its rear mid-engine, and the highly sophisticated full hybrid E-Tech version, released in the fifth generation. Overall, Clio has sold nearly 17 million units across 120 countries around the world, across five generations, making it the best-selling French car of all time, appreciated by consumers in France, naturally, but also the UK and Turkey too. Once again this year, Clio continues to top the charts, emerging as the best-selling car in Europe in the first half of 2025. This versatile car, which has always had “everything of a great car” and never deviated from its hatchback style, has become a cultural icon, reflecting the commitment of the teams at Renault to constantly enhance quality standards, features and technology, enabling Clio to persistently redefine the standards in its category.
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