Photo: Catalin Garmacea
No later than the 2016 Paris Motor Show, Renault will unveil the mid-cycle refresh of the Clio supermini. For a mild-hybrid version of the French hatchback, we’ll have to wait a little more than that.
Speaking to the peeps at AutoExpress, Renault executive vice president of product planning Bruno Ancelin suggested that the fifth-generation Clio could get affordable electrification. When asked about the Hybrid Assist tech that debuted with the 2017 Renault Scenic, Bruno replied, “Yes, we’ll consider the tech for other cars.” I'm not into wishful thinking, but that's the next best thing to a confirmation in my book.
The thing is, Bruno made it clear that Renault won’t develop plug-in hybrid electric vehicles anytime soon. Depending on how hard the EU will regulate diesel cars in the foreseeable future, Renault could implement PHEV technology “in the upper segments.” But that was then and this is now, so how does the Scenic’s Hybrid Assist system work?
The mild-hybrid powertrain that will most probably be made available for the Renault Clio V combined the Energy dCi 100 turbo diesel engine, a six-speed manual transmission, an electric motor, and a 48-volt battery. Renault says that the powertrain has been developed “to combine low fuel consumption,” while “providing a boost of acceleration at certain speeds, particularly at low revs.” Of course, the Scenic's Hybrid Assist powertrain comes with an energy recovery system that works its magic during braking and deceleration.
Regarding the fifth-generation Renault Clio, not much is known about it at the present moment except that it will borrow some bits and bobs from the EOLAB concept. As for the 2017 Renault Clio facelift, don’t get your hopes up for anything more than a redesigned front fascia, a different rear bumper, new bits of trim here and there, and mild tweaks to the existing engine lineup.
The thing is, Bruno made it clear that Renault won’t develop plug-in hybrid electric vehicles anytime soon. Depending on how hard the EU will regulate diesel cars in the foreseeable future, Renault could implement PHEV technology “in the upper segments.” But that was then and this is now, so how does the Scenic’s Hybrid Assist system work?
The mild-hybrid powertrain that will most probably be made available for the Renault Clio V combined the Energy dCi 100 turbo diesel engine, a six-speed manual transmission, an electric motor, and a 48-volt battery. Renault says that the powertrain has been developed “to combine low fuel consumption,” while “providing a boost of acceleration at certain speeds, particularly at low revs.” Of course, the Scenic's Hybrid Assist powertrain comes with an energy recovery system that works its magic during braking and deceleration.
Regarding the fifth-generation Renault Clio, not much is known about it at the present moment except that it will borrow some bits and bobs from the EOLAB concept. As for the 2017 Renault Clio facelift, don’t get your hopes up for anything more than a redesigned front fascia, a different rear bumper, new bits of trim here and there, and mild tweaks to the existing engine lineup.
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