The best cars from the Paris Motor Show 2012 you'll soon be able to drive
Renault Clio at Paris 2012
Is the new Renault Clio the most significant reveal of all for this French-based event?
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Renault Clio at Paris 2012
Renault Clio at the 2012 Paris Motor Show
The Renault Clio is back, sporting sexy new front-end styling inspired by the show-stopping Dezir concept car, and detail improvements to compete with the best in the increasingly upmarket supermini segment. In the metal, it's a genuinely good-looking car indeed. Watch out, Ford Fiesta.
Paris Motor Show 2012: live
What is it?
Facing hot competition from the Peugeot 208, Renault has hit back in the way it knows best: a massive style offensive. The beauty runs more than skin deep, with huge improvements to interior quality and kit levels. Every model will come with a seven-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity as standard.
What's hot?
To make the most of its new 100kg lighter kerb weight, the Clio will be available with a range of super-efficient engines, including a 0.9-litre three-cylinder TCE petrol. Hot-hatch fans needn't despair as a RenaultSport version is already in the works, and will use a turbocharged 1.6 petrol motor.
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What's not?
While we applaud the reduced weight and efficient engines, Renault has seen fit to install a 'driving style monitor' which records your inputs and rates your driving for efficiency via a traffic light-style indicator. Unless you're particularly concerned about your carbon footprint, such eco nagging may only serve to annoy.
How much and when?
Order books for the Clio open in October, with the first customer cars expected for delivery shortly afterwards. Prices have yet to be confirmed, but expect entry-level models to start from around £10,000.
Anything else I should know?
The new Clio has already been awarded a full five stars from Euro NCAP, with best-in-class ratings for child and pedestrian protection, as well as for on board safety equipment. With side-impact head/thorax bags, anti-submarining seatbelts and Electronic Stability Control, the Clio is as safe as the supermini sector gets.
Paris Motor Show 2012: live
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