Currently reading: 2016 Renault Clio facelift to get Mégane-like features

New lights, grille and bumpers form the bulk of French hatchback’s external updates

The Renault Clio is due a facelift this year. These photographs of a prototype testing in Southern Europe offer a first glimpse of the changes we can expect.

The headlights of this updated Mk4 hatchback are camouflaged, but insiders say the units will feature a three-slat design inside and C-shaped indicators, mimicking the look of the new Mégane but with a more subtle finish.

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The new Clio will also feature a grille that extends into the headlights like the Mégane has. Meanwhile, the front bumpers will differ from the current Clio, with fog lights located further out from the bottom grille.

The changes at the back are even less substantial, but the new car’s taillights are expected to feature different internal designs.

We’re yet to peak inside the new car’s cabin, but given the light updates applied to its exterior it seems likely that the cabin’s overall look will be the same. The biggest adjustments will probably come in the form of different trim finishes and more up-to-date software for the car’s infotainment systems.

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Renault has so far remained tight-lipped about the technical changes to the Clio, but it is thought that this update will only be a minor one. This means the current car’s engine options will likely remain; it comprises of four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines. Reports have suggested that a mild-hybrid diesel drivetrain could be added, but Autocar’s sources believe these claims are unfounded.

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The 2016 Renault Clio is expected to arrive on roads later this year - most probably sometime late this summer - priced from about £11,145, as is the outgoing car. It’s rivals include the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo and upcoming Nissan Micra, which is due a major overhaul in its fifth generation.

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Clive Goldthorp 21 May 2016

Just a quick point of information...

I believe that referring to the facelifted Renault Clio as a 2016 model is misleading - surely the global Automotive Industry convention is that any new or facelifted car which reaches the showrooms in late summer (i.e. on or after the 1st September) is described as belonging to the following Model Year - in this instance, as a MY17 model?
superstevie 20 May 2016

I hope they don't change too

I hope they don't change too much, as I think the current Clio is a cracking looking small car.
catnip 20 May 2016

I hoped that the facelift

I hoped that the facelift might give Renault the opportunity to fit tail lights that actually fill the cut out in the bodywork, but the disguise maybe suggests not. That plastic fillet below the current ones makes it appear that they ordered the wrong size of light unit, and on some of the less well cared for models just looks grey and scruffy.