2026 Renault Clio Unveiled in Europe but No Plans Currently for Australia

The 2026 Renault Clio has been unveiled at an IAA press conference in Munich, marking the hatchback’s sixth generation. However, there are no current plans for an Australian release. 

Aside from being a larger vehicle than its predecessor – 67mm longer, 39mm wider and 11mm taller in fact – the latest Clio is an aesthetic leap forward compared to the previous generation, featuring a much more angular design, most noticeable at the front end. 

The interior has also received an overhaul, complete with a new dashboard design, dual screens, interior trim made from recycled materials, including a new seat design, and ambient lighting on higher trim levels. 

Four powertrains will be offered for the new Clio in Europe, with outputs ranging between 86kW and 119kW. 

The entry-level Clio will be powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine – producing 85kW and 190Nm – with a choice of either a paddle-shift dual clutch automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. 

The manual transmission achieves a claimed combined fuel consumption of 5 litres per 100km, while the dual clutch consumes slightly more at 5.1 litres per 100km. 

A dual fuel Eco-G version – capable of running on either petrol or LPG – ups the output to 89kW and 200Nm, paired exclusively with the dual-clutch transmission, with a claimed combined fuel economy of 6.9 litres per 100km. 

All three-cylinder variants of the Renault Clio achieve 0-100km/h in 10.1 seconds. 

The most powerful powertrain – the E-Tech full hybrid – features a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors paired with a 1.4kWh battery. 

It achieves 0-100km/h in 8.3 seconds, with a claimed combined fuel economy of 3.9 litres per 100km. 

While a strong-selling model in Europe, the Clio nameplate has been absent from the Australian market for over five years, after the fourth-generation model was discontinued in mid-2020. 

In August, Renault announced plans to launch six new models in Australia within the next 18 months, but did not confirm what those models were. 

However, there are “no plans at this stage” to bring the new Clio here, according to a Renault Australia spokesperson.