Internet leaks are unethical. However, as much as we disapprove, we can’t help but love
this highly immoral practice.
How else would we be able to give you the official details and images of the all-new Renault Clio, which was supposed to be unveiled only at the Paris show in September?
Last week’s image leaks are what prompted Renault to lift the wraps off the latest iteration of its hatchback a couple of months ahead of its scheduled public debut. And boy are we pleased with what wee see here.
The stunning lines of the 2013 Clio are a giant step forward from the drab, uninspiring design of the previous version.
Having been designed and developed afresh from the ground up, the new Clio’s front seems to have been inspired by the Dezir concept shown a couple of years ago, and hints at the design direction other models in the French carmaker’s line-up will take in future.
After looking at the first batch of pics, we totally agree with Laurens van den Acker, Renault’s design chief, who thinks the new Clio is a “sensuous sculpture that stimulates desire.”
Even the interior is thoroughly modern with a ‘floating’ centre console, finished in piano black with chrome edging in the Dynamique model.
There’s also a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system that even allows you to download personalised apps.
Powertrains include a base 900cc three-cylinder that’s good for 91bhp, although what we have our eyes trained on is the 1.2-litre turbo lump with 121bhp on tap.
Now we’ve another set of image and info leaks to look out for; that of the new Clio RS.
