The Clio has had substantial critical and commercial success, being consistently one of Europe's top-selling cars since its launch,[1] and it is largely credited with restoring Renault's reputation and stature after a difficult second half of the 1980s.

The suspension uses half-width torsion bars (full-width on higher spec models) with trailing arms at the rear, and coil sprung MacPherson struts, attached to a thick pressed steel subframe at the front.

The petrol engines gradually had their carburettors replaced with electronic fuel injection systems by the end of 1992, in order to conform to ever stricter pollutant emission regulations brought in by the EEC.

UK sales were helped by a famous television advertising campaign by Publicis shot in France, featuring the two main characters of Papa and Nicole, played by Max Douchin and Estelle Skornik respectively.

[citation needed] The car was sold as the Renault Lutecia (from Lutetia, the Latin name for Paris) in Japan, as "Clio" was used there by Honda for one of their domestic marketing networks.

[citation needed] The differences between the three versions of the Williams were largely a reflection of phase changes across the Clio range, e.g. the gradual addition of enhanced safety features and cosmetic variations.

The final evolution was the Renault Clio Williams Maxi kit-car with wider arches and 17″ Speedline 2012 rims and improved Proflex suspension.

[citation needed] For instance, the front wings were made of plastic (following criticisms of corrosion in this part of the previous model and based on technology developed for the Renault Espace) and the material of the bonnet was aluminium in some versions.

[25][26] Following the Release of these two new engines, Renault gathered together what they called the Clio Sport collection, a lineup of performance oriented models to offer a variety of features for different drivers.

Whilst the 172 became the flagship performance model under RenaultSport, the Si and RSI were lesser-known variants aimed at offering sporty styling and enhanced features at a more accessible price point.

It featured body colored bumpers, white instrument dials and alloy wheels, on top of all other standard and options that the highest trim Clio's came with.

The Clio Si, whilst being less powerful with the new 1.9dTi diesel engine, also carried all of the sporty design clues as the RSI did, but with the addition of bucket seats in the front, and an electric back tilt sunroof.

Both of these models came with ABS, alloy wheels, both driver and passenger airbags, 60w RDS radios, rear spoilers and heat reflecting windscreens as standard options.

Later on in 2000, a few minor changes were made to the Clio range, which included revised specification levels, a new instrument cluster, and a passenger airbag fitted as standard for all models.

The Clio Grande started at £8,295 but came with power steering, central locking, a sunroof and 60w RDS radio as standard on top of all Liberte features.

The Clio Elegance Collection represented a premium line of trims designed to offer features typically found in more expensive executive cars.

A major facelift occurred in June 2001 (Phase 2) which saw the exterior restyled (most visibly the headlights were made more angular), the interior quality improved with a new dashboard and centre console including the availability of digital climate control air-conditioning and satellite navigation on top models and a 1.5 L common rail Diesel engine added.

On ordinary cars, an interior equipment specification change was made from this model year – fitment of a CD player as standard (as opposed to cassette) on Expression and Dynamique.

the standard Settings (different from the non-sport models), and CUP badge chassis, 20 mm lower, larger stabilizer bars, and stiffer suspension with dark graphite alloy wheels.

This vehicle, which addresses the Brazilian market, features Renault-developed flex-fuel technology, with a highly versatile engine that can run on fuel containing a blend of petrol and ethanol in any proportion (0% to 100% of either).

[37] Intended to be the lowest priced Renault model available in Latin America,[38] it was manufactured in Córdoba, Argentina,[39] and featured additional styling and equipment updates.

The car was intended for sale in developing countries, where saloons were traditionally preferred over hatchbacks, most notably in Eastern Europe, where the Thalia was cheaper than the Clio, but was still about 30% more expensive than the Dacia Logan, also sold by Renault as a low cost model.

In April 2006, the BBC's consumer affairs programme Watchdog aired details of over 1,000 incidents involving Clio IIs in which the bonnet flew open without warning while still being driven, usually at high speeds, and sometimes writing the cars off.

[44] Watchdog has since claimed other experts have contacted them with accusations that Renault was expecting people to maintain a flawed part that would corrode over time and could cost lives.

Renault was accused by its Press Relations Manager Graeme Holt, who quit in protest, of downplaying the serious "fault" and putting customers' lives in danger.

The Clio GT has a new aggressive front end styling incorporating a black grille, extended side sills, suspension settings unique to the R.S.

[63] The Clio IV features new equipment such as hands-free, rear camera connectivity with more than 50 applications (Renault R-Link 7-inch infotainment system, powered by Android & TomTom)[64] and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission that will be available starting early 2013.

[80] On higher trim levels it can be equipped with a 9.3-inch touchscreen (with Easy Link system, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and equipped with Google Maps and TomTom navigation), customizable instrument cluster that uses a TFT LCD, an electric parking brake, a wireless smartphone charger, hands-free parking, a 360-degree system with four cameras, lane keeping assistant, adaptive cruise control and recognition of road signs, blind spot warning and automatic emergency braking.

Available from 2020, the E-Tech hybrid drivetrain combines a new generation 1.6 liter petrol engine with two electric motors, a multi-mode gearbox and a 1.2 kWh battery.

In 2001, Rob Collard entered the BTCC with a Renault Clio in the Production class, which were made up of slower, smaller cars like the Peugeot 306 GTi, the Ford Focus and Honda Accord.