Throwback Tuesday: Renault Clio

The French supermini has become an icon Renault since its release over 20 years ago.

We have been graced with 4 generations of the car since it first hit the roads in 1990.

The first generation was designed as a replacement for the popular but dated Renault 5. There were three phases of the first generation. The second phase incorporated a smooth bonnet and some other minor cosmetic changes that rejuvenated it's appearance. The third phase brought more rounded headlights to the car along with some slight mechanical upgrades.

In 1993 we saw the introduction of what is one of the most iconic hot hatches in history. The Williams Clio set hearts alight with its roaring engine and incredibly light body. Unmolested genuine examples are still in high demand today.

The second generation was first sold in 1998 and drastically differed in appearance. It was rounded and made from some unusual materials. For example, the front wings were made of plastic to avoid corrosion!
It received a facelift with more angular headlights and an improved interior in 2001. There was a sporty version released called the 172 which reflected the Bhp on offer to the driver, decent considering the size.

There was considerable controversy when Watchdog found that the bonnet latch on the Clio was faulty over time and could cause the bonnet to crash into the windscreen while driving at high speeds. Renault refused to issue a recall and gained some negative publicity considering the dangers.

Renault and Nissan collaborated to create a platform that several models could use. The third generation of the Clio shared a platform with the Modus, the Micra and the Note. Renault made an effort to move upmarket with this model and the car has become heavier, larger and more expensive as a result. It was voted European Car of the Year in 2006, narrowly beating the VW Passat. It also received a 5 star NCAP safety rating.

We have just seen the release of the latest generation, with first models being sold last month. It can be seen below.