New Renault Clio to spawn 140bhp warm hatch

Renault has confirmed that there will be no more naturally-aspirated motors in future Renaultsport-developed Clios. But the firm is adamant that it will continue with its hot hatches because, in the words of Benoit Bochard, Renault’s programme director for small cars, “it adds a lot of attractiveness to the range”. The new Renault Clio was unveiled earlier this week.

The new Renaultsport Clio will get a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine that should put out over 200bhp. Insiders admit it looks a little less muscular “due to the design limitations of the five-door design”. But the taut design from Renault design chief Laurens van den Acker is still a promising basis for the popular hot hatch.

There will also be a ‘warm’ hatch putting out as much as 140bhp from the turbocharged 1.2-litre engine. It is likely to keep the six-speed dual-clutch automatic that is standard on this engine in its lower-powered guise. Bochard maintains the car will have a “bespoke chassis set-up to ensure an entertaining drive”.