Renault Clio History
Renault's best-selling supermini — twice-crowned European Car of the Year, now in its sixth generation, and home to the hot Clio Williams and Clio RS.
Photo: “Renault Clio I RT in Specchiolla, Italy (1).jpg” by 2538O / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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
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).
1992 Photo: “1992 Renault Clio S.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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.
1995 Photo: “1995 Renault Clio Williams 2.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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.
1998 Photo: “1998 Renault Clio Grande RN.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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.
2010 Photo: “2010 Renault Clio RS Gordini Rear.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2011 Photo: “2011 Renault Clio RS (54134).jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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.
2023 Photo: “Renault Clio V (2023) 1X7A1579.jpg” by Alexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
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.
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
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.
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.
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Renault Clio
Search Amazon across available years, colors, and scales. Exact releases vary, so confirm the listing before ordering.