You've seen this, right?

[Gaz_]

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/235560/stunning_new_clio_revealed.html

Renaultsport fans are seeing double this week! Not only is Auto Express the first magazine to put the restyled Clio Renaultsport 200 through its paces, but these exclusive pictures show how the all-new version of the sizzling hatch will shape up.
And if you are wondering how we can be so confident about the styling of the fourth-generation Clio, take a peek at the leaked images published in our French sister magazine Auto Plus. These pictures depict one of Renault’s styling models, and reveal exactly how the standard Clio will compare to its Renaultsport derivative.
Due to burst on to the scene in late 2011, the Clio RS promises to be not only faster and lighter than the car it replaces but, dressed up in full Renaultsport gear, the best-looking hot hatch on the market.
Renault’s aim for this machine is clear: it wants the car to be immediately recognisable at first glance, maintaining the everyday appeal of the standard model, yet adding a sportier edge to the styling.
Taking pride of place on the stubby bonnet is an oversize Renault badge, with swept-back headlights and larger air intakes giving the nose a friendlier appearance.
In profile, however, the current car’s simple styling is swapped for an intricate series of flowing creases, giving an impression of movement even when the model is stationary. A similar ‘flame-surfacing’ design language has been applied successfully by BMW for years, and now Renault appears to be using the technique to its own advantage.
Renaultsport specification slots 18-inch rims under the swollen wheelarches, plus adds a bulging bodykit and trademark rear diffuser, while a boot-lip spoiler and wide-set twin exhausts finish off the racy styling. There are shades of the Mazda 2 in the car’s profile – something that might be less of a coincidence than you would think.
Chief designer Patrick Le Quément is set to leave Renault at the end of this year, to make way for ex-Mazda man Laurens van den Acker. He is intent on ushering in a new era of design – and this is the car that points the way.
Under the bonnet, Renault will stick with its trusty 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine – ensuring the classic high-octane driving experience is maintained. However, aside from an incremental power hike past the magical 200bhp mark, the main focus will be on improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions.
The engineers’ aim is to achieve something approaching 40mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions below 180g/km.
The fourth-generation Clio will sit on an all-new lightweight platform that is set to be even stronger and more capable than at present. As with the current car, two chassis options – Sport or Cup – will be offered.
The former will cater for those who want to maintain a degree of comfort and a full complement of kit, while the latter is for drivers prepared to put up with a bone-shaking ride as a trade-off for the full-fat driving experience.
Everything happens faster these days… The second-generation Clio appeared eight years after the first, then it was seven years before the third-generation model came along, and this all-new car is due in 2011 – a mere six years after the current one went on sale.
Price tags are set to start from £16,000 for the more basic but firmer Cup, while the heavier Sport chassis will weigh in closer to £17,500 – maintaining the Clio’s reputation for being a true performance bargain.

 

[Phil 182]

just saw this in asda myself....looks stunning!!!!!!!!

 

[mark1989]

love that it looks stunning

 

[Beef-Mc]

Gotta admit that looks pretty cool.

Wonder if it'll actually happen though.

 

[cat171]

Lol, AE and their mock ups !!

 

[Lewin]

Looks good that. Bit pricey though.

 

[Gaz_]

Lol, AE and their mock ups !!

Yes, but apparently these are a design proposal for the new clio...

Not a million miles away are they?


Tbh i love the AE pics. If it looks anything like that i will be having one. I can save whilst all the goons buy the 200!!!

 

[nth]

Lol, AE and their mock ups !!

what i thought aswel...

all in one

look at the tyres ffs. lol terrible

 

[TJB182]

If it looks like that and has a turbo. Ill have one.

 

[LaurenF]

Me likey!!!

 

[jayxx83]

awesome, rs ftw

 

[mwn11]

That the one after the 200 then? as i thought the 200 was out this year?

 

[CabinFever]

Not real, and even if it is, it looks gash!

 

[maz172cup]

rear end looks like a 1 series bmw

 

[SBV116]

Thats mint looking! Wait for everybody on here to say its not as good looking as the 1*2!:quiet:

Kev, discount for 2?!

 

[Paul.]

love that tbh

 

[Gaz_]

Thats mint looking! Wait for everybody on here to say its not as good looking as the 1*2!:quiet:

Kev, discount for 2?!

Yes, Reanult trade partner strings need to be pulled!!!

If it looks anything like that it will be mine, oh yes, it WILL be mine

 

[172boost]

gorgeous

 

[SBV116]

Yes, Reanult trade partner strings need to be pulled!!!

If it looks anything like that it will be mine, oh yes, it WILL be mine

it is immense actually!! Reckon i could get a mint deal on a new motor aswell!! PS, i have your touch me up stick, and handle!

 

[minismithy90]

its about time they do a v6 version

 

[Gaz_]

it is immense actually!! Reckon i could get a mint deal on a new motor aswell!! PS, i have your touch me up stick, and handle!

Word, off out now, drop u a txt after!!

 

[fUbAr]

I would buy one, in black.

 

[fUbAr]

or even in white...

quick photoshop

 

[fUbAr]

or 200 alien green anyone?

 

[Timmay]

im loving that tbh!

 

[realnumber 1]

Very nice but do you think they've been reading CS a bit?

The fourth-generation Clio will sit on an all-new lightweight platform that is set to be even stronger and more capable than at present. As with the current car, two chassis options – Sport or Cup – will be offered.

The former will cater for those who want to maintain a degree of comfort and a full complement of kit, while the latter is for drivers prepared to put up with a bone-shaking ride as a trade-off for the full-fat driving experience.

Does that make my 172 a 172FF:quiet:?:rasp:

 

[kevin.s]

looks nice. i like it.

 

[iyrix]

its alright. I prefer my 172

 

[ForceIndia]

I can't believe people are seriously believing Auto Express. More reliable if the pics were done by the Sun!

 

[jesus]

Could look better but that is lush compared to the 200!

 

[ant_r27]

reminds me of the new Toyota IQ to be honest.

Also, it looks too small to be a new Clio though surely?

Size wise, it looks closer to being the replacement for the Twingo?

Does look quite tasty though to be fair.

 

[TheKing]

I can't believe people are seriously believing Auto Express. More reliable if the pics were done by the Sun!

Take the new megane sport 250 change the headlights and get rid of the pish black bumper and you've got the new clio wish they'd ps something properly for once they couldn't even be bothered to change the position of the driving lights lol.

 

[ForceIndia]

The only PS scoops that ever end up accurate seem to come from autocar

 

[Munson]

I can't believe people are seriously believing Auto Express. More reliable if the pics were done by the Sun!

Absolutely. These 'pics' are clearly imaginary. Some artist has been asked to use the existing pic of the Clio IV, pump it up, make bits up, steal bits from other cars, and make an image that will sell the magazine. I very much doubt that the Renaultsport styling for this car has even been decided on yet, much less leaked to Autoexpress with 300mm section tyres front and rear.

Step away from the media.

 

[Aluco]

The back of that looks awesome.

 

[gaz44]

Twingo

 

[GR7]

A big improvement on looks!

I think this Clio looks heaps better than the current model.... which I think looks awful!

 

[iain187]

Re: A big improvement on looks!

i like it, although im not sure how the tyre molding into the diffuser is going to work :rasp:

 

[conneh]

Re: A big improvement on looks!

Its from Auto Expres, what ever you read on there... pay no attention

 

[koi]

Re: A big improvement on looks!

That looks amazing, hope it's like that when it comes out!