Renault Clio History
History
Launched in 1990 as the successor to the Renault 5 Supercinq, the Clio became one of Europe's best-loved superminis almost immediately, winning the European Car of the Year award in 1991. It is one of only two cars — alongside the Volkswagen Golf — to have won that award twice, also winning for 2006 (third generation).
The performance variants gave the Clio an outsized enthusiast reputation: the Clio Williams (1993–1995) used a 2.0-liter engine from the Renault Williams F1 car for homologation, and later Clio RS (Renault Sport) versions became benchmarks for the front-wheel-drive hot-hatch class.
By 2025 the Clio had sold approximately 17 million units across six generations, making it one of the best-selling European cars of all time. The sixth generation, introduced in 2025, offers hybrid and petrol powertrains.
Generations
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First generation · Clio I
Photo: “Renault Clio I RT in Specchiolla, Italy (1).jpg” by 2538O / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
The Car of the Year 1991 — an immediate hit that spawned the homologation Clio Williams (1993–1995).
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1992 Photo: “1992 Renault Clio S.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
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1993 Photo: “1993-1998 Renault Clio Williams (31672447422).jpg” by Kieran White from Manchester, England / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
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1995 Photo: “1995 Renault Clio Williams 2.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
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1996 Photo: “1996 Renault Clio RL Oasis 1.2.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
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1998 Photo: “1998 Renault Clio Grande RN.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
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Third generation · Clio III
Photo: “2006 Renault Clio RS.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
Car of the Year 2006; the Clio RS 197/200 of this era became a defining hot-hatch benchmark.
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2010 Photo: “2010 Renault Clio RS Gordini Rear.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
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2011 Photo: “2011 Renault Clio RS (54134).jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
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Fifth generation · Clio V
Photo: “Renault Clio V (2023) Esprit Alpine 1X7A1517.jpg” by Alexander Migl / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
Sharper styling and a full hybrid E-Tech option — Renault's first full-hybrid in the supermini class.
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2023 Photo: “Renault Clio V (2023) 1X7A1579.jpg” by Alexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
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2024 Photo: “2024 Renault Clio Evolution E-Tech HEV Auto.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
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Sixth generation · Clio VI
A further evolution with revised hybrid drivetrains and updated technology; launched at the 2025 Geneva Motor Show.
Body styles
- Hatchback
- Estate
Notable special editions & performance variants
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Clio Williams
A homologation special using a 2.0-liter engine (150 hp), named for Renault's Formula 1 partner Williams — only about 12,100 built across three series.
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Clio RS (Renault Sport)
The long-running performance sub-brand version, spanning the Clio II–IV; the RS 200 and Cup variants were class-benchmark hot hatches.
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