Renault aims to retain edge with new Clio 6, to be made in Türkiye
The new Clio car of French car maker Renault is unveiled at the International Motor Show (IAA), Munich, Germany, Sept. 8, 2025. (AFP Photo)


French automaker Renault unveiled on Monday the sixth generation of its popular Clio hatchback to be produced in Türkiye at the major car show held in Munich, in what is seen as its biggest overhaul in 13 years.

The car remains a big-volume seller for the automaker, but faces rising competition from Chinese automakers as they expand into Europe.

With nearly 17 million units sold since the first version in 1990, the Clio is "the best-selling French car of all time," the company said in a news release.

Made in Türkiye, the current version – the Clio 5 – was Europe's top-selling model in the first half of 2025 with more than 130,000 units sold.

The new Clio 6 will also be made in Türkiye.

Renault design director Laurens van den Acker stuck to a similar design to the Clio 4 with the Clio 5 in 2019 – but this time has reinvented the front and rear of the car – which is sleeker, sportier and 7 centimeters (2.76 inches) longer.

Newly appointed CEO of French car maker Renault Group, Francois Provost (R), poses near the unveiled new Clio car at the International Motor Show (IAA), Munich, Germany, Sept. 8, 2025. (AFP Photo)
The new Clio car, featuring full-hybrid e-tech technology from French car maker Renault, emerges from the darkness at its unveiling at the International Motor Show (IAA), Munich, Germany, Sept. 8, 2025. (AFP Photo)

"When tackling an icon, the mistake you can make is not being able to take risks," Renault brand CEO Fabrice Cambolive said at a news conference ahead of the show.

More tech, more money

The new Clio will be offered in petrol, hybrid and LPG versions.

In higher trim levels, the Clio 6 will also offer tech features usually found in larger models, including a dual 10-inch (25.4 centimeters) screen, an infotainment package with Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play, and up to 29 driving aids.

The bigger vehicle and tech package will also mean a bigger price tag than the current 16,900 euros ($19,785) starting price for the Clio 5 in France. The pricing for Clio 6 will be released later and deliveries are expected to start this year.

Renault has focused on profit margins since its 2020-2021 restructuring, but lowered its full-year earnings forecast in July due to weak European sales.

However, the automaker believes it can charge more for the Clio 6 because its Dacia brand offers the lower-cost Dacia Sandero, Europe's second bestselling car in the first half of the year.