Latest news with #supermini
Auto Car
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Renault confirms new Clio will be revealed imminently
New supermini will introduce radical new look and is set to offer hybrid power exclusively Open gallery New car is recognisable as a Clio but introduces several new design cues… …including a diamond-pattern grille Twin-decked lip spoilers hint at importance of aerodynamic performance Close Renault has confirmed that the new sixth-generation Renault Clio will be revealed imminently, with September's Munich motor show a likely venue for the supermini's debut. Currently the best selling car in Europe in its facelifted fifth-generation form, the next Clio is set to go on sale early next year with one of its biggest overhauls in generations. Renault has not confirmed a precise reveal date, but has announced details of a 'pre-show' unveiling for the new supermini, which would suggest it will be the the French firm's headline unveiling in Munich on 8 September. Renault has revealed an important new model at every European motor show since the pandemic, including the Renault 5, 4, Twingo, Turbo 3E, Scenic and Mégane E-Tech. While it will also bring a host of new design cues, such as a more prominent nose and twin-decked lip rear spoilers, the sixth–generation Clio is set to ditch pure-petrol engines and go hybrid-only. Autocar understands that, under the skin, the next Clio is an all-new car rather than a development of the current model, which was introduced in 2019. However, it is likely to use an upgraded version of that car's CMF-B platform aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs. The new Clio will be powered by an evolution of the existing E-Tech hybrid powertrain , in which an atmospheric four-cylinder engine and two electric motors put out a combined 143bhp and 151lb ft. This is set to become the sole powertrain option, in part because of stringent fleet emissions targets being rolled out across the European Union. From next year, car manufacturers in the EU will be required to hit an average of 93.6g/km of CO2, down from 95g/km this year. This incentivises manufacturers to drop powertrains that do not feature electrical assistance, such as the current Clio's TCe 90 turbocharged three-pot, due to their higher carbon emissions. For reference, the TCe 90 puts out 120g/km, whereas the E-Tech is rated at 96g/km, a reduction of 20%. Axing the pure-petrol engine would therefore provide a significant cut to Renault's fleet average – crucial, given the EU's fleet emissions targets will only become stricter in the coming years, hitting 49.5g/km in 2030. Autocar understands that Renault has now decided not to offer the new Clio with a battery-electric powertrain, however. It is therefore possible that it may not be offered in the UK, due to the new Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. This requires brands to sell an increasing proportion of electric cars, starting at 24% of total sales this year and ramping up to 80% in 2030. Limiting the number of combustion-engined cars that manufacturers can sell means they will prioritise their most profitable models. Renault will most likely limit – and could even end – Clio sales in the UK because the closely related Captur crossover makes more money from an equivalent number of sales. Complicating the matter is the cachet that the Clio name holds with buyers in the UK. 'Clio is a brand in itself,' Renault product performance chief Bruno Vanel told Autocar earlier this year. 'In the UK, it is probably as well known as Renault – or even more.' A decision is unlikely to be made until 2025, given the car is at least a year away from hitting showrooms in Europe. A spokesperson for Renault declined to comment. As well as its environmental impact, cost is a key consideration in the development of the new Clio. Vanel said maintaining the current car's positioning is crucial as the brand introduces a range of new – and more expensive – electric cars to ensure it does not abandon a significant proportion of its customer base. 'We are not moving directly towards 100% electric,' said Vanel. 'We are doing it step by step, to have this transition with hybrid cars so that we remain an affordable brand.' Renault will lean on monthly payment schemes – such as leasing or PCP finance – to ensure the car is affordable, rather than reducing the overall list price of the car. 'We will try to keep the affordability of the monthly rentals,' Vanel said. 'If you compare the rentals in 2018/2019 to last year [2022], with the improvement of residual values and even with some price increases, I think we experienced quite a good performance there, which kept the affordability safe. ' Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you'll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here. Next Prev In partnership with
Auto Car
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
84% of Renault 5 buyers are new to the brand! Can you guess what they're swapping out of?
Supermini has become most popular EV among private buyers, nudging Renault to second in sales chart Close Some 84% of Renault 5 buyers are new to the brand, giving it one of the highest conquest rates of any model the brand has yet launched. A recent Renault survey of around 1900 5 buyers in the UK revealed that roughly 1600 were switching out of a competitor product: 3.4% part-exchanged a Mini Cooper, 3.8% traded in a Ford Fiesta and 4.4% swapped out of a Fiat 500. But while Renault UK managing director Adam Wood acknowledged that the most popular part-exchange models were similarly sized superminis, there is 'really no trend' to who is buying the electric supermini. 'They're coming from premium SUVs, small cars, all different brands. Some of them are second cars, some of them are primary cars,' he said, citing the car's retro-futuristic design as a key factor in its appeal. 'The key thing with the 5 is that it comes back to that point of magic. People see the car and, I think whether they remember the original or not, it's just a great piece of design that brings a smile to peoples' faces." "Emotion is a big part of the buyer's purchase too, and that's why you see such a conquest rate on the 5." The 5 has been a roaring commercial success in its first few months on sale: some 2400 examples had been delivered in the UK to the end of June and it was the best-selling EV to private buyers in April and May - making Renault the country's number-two retail EV brand, behind Tesla. The 5 was instrumental in helping Renault grow its share of the UK car market to 3.7%, with registrations climbing 16% year-on-year in the first half of 2025 - in part because of a 17% hike in private car sales. Renault's EV sales were up a huge 887% in the first half, with the 5 and Scenic having joined the Mégane in the last year, and Wood anticipates that the arrival of the 4 this autumn will drive further growth, based on the early success of the similarly conceived 5, which has 'really has brought electric motoring to the masses in terms of affordability". Wood cited the 5's £23k start price and potentially low running costs – assuming the ability to charge on an EV-specific domestic tariff – as giving a 'very similar' total cost of ownership to a comparable ICE hatchback but suggested that the supermini's success wasn't entirely founded on its affordability. "Accessible pricing is, of course, a factor. But I think often the industry forgets the emotional appeal too. So I think it's that design and fun that is also attracting more and more private individuals who perhaps weren't considering electric. 'In many ways, I think it's like a Trojan Horse to get more people considering electric." Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you'll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here. Next Prev In partnership with
Auto Car
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
The old Nissan Micra was a 'grandma's car' - but that's no bad thing
Is there a supermini whose character, over the years, has changed as much as that of the Nissan Micra? At least in the eyes of its maker, if not in the minds of its buyers. The first-generation Micra was a sturdy, box-like thing, as plain as cars come. The second one was much more rounded and funky, Europeanised, even, to the point that it won Car of the Year in 1993 – the first Japanese car to do so. The third model took the idea ran with it, going more upmarket still, being cutesy and classic, with Bakelite-style interior switchgear and traditional fabrics. It felt expensive, and maybe, to make, it was. And then came the 2010 disaster: it was a car that felt so cheap and rough that when we said as much, the good people of Nissan agreed. Sometimes, they explained, they would take offence at a verdict and tell us why we were wrong, or why they thought we were wrong, but in other cases a drubbing in the media would give them a way to convince their bosses they should do it differently. This was one of those cases, and Nissan duly did better with a 2016 Micra that was a markedly decent thing, if not markedly interesting. It went off sale in 2022. In the meantime, Nissan's rivals had been making superminis that were sometimes great and sometimes fine but fundamentally consistent; at least they were always trying to be the same thing. Ford made a bunch of Fiestas that each felt every inch like Fiestas. Even now Renault's new Clio is trying to occupy basically the same position as the Nicole-Papa original, as the most chic of the superminis. All kinds of cars try to retain their core ethos, in fact. If you climbed into, say, a BMW 3 Series today, I think you could probably tell it's trying to do basically the same thing as a 3 Series from three or more decades ago. But here comes another new Micra. Yes, it's another reinvention, this time as a cute electric car, but, it seems, it's different from previous Micras not only in powertrain but also in character (again). 'Think you know me? Think again,' said the teaser on Nissan's website ahead of the launch. 'It's been a while, and I've had a glow up. Let's meet up soon. You won't believe the difference.'
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
The Updated 2025 Nissan Micra That No One Expected!
Nissan 's iconic supermini has gone electric. Steve Fowler gets his first look at the brand-new Micra EV. In this episode of Drive Smart, The Independent's EV Editor Steve Fowler is among the first to see the new Nissan Micra EV on camera. He walks around the all-electric supermini, takes a close look at its styling, interior, and practicality — and draws comparisons to one of its closest competitors, the Renault 5. Is this the compact EV that will win over UK drivers?
Auto Express
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Help! I need a small automatic car for £11,000
Dear Auto Express, I'm after a small auto supermini from 2015 onwards with low miles for £11,000. What do you suggest? - David Cutter, E-mail Superminis have long been popular with car buyers, as they provide more space than smaller city cars, while managing to keep running costs low, and are almost as capable when navigating congested city streets or tight car parks. Advertisement - Article continues below If you spend a lot of time in those traffic-clogged city streets then a supermini with an automatic gearbox makes a huge amount of sense. Pick the right model and you can even enjoy a cabin with plenty of in-car tech, robust build quality and even get a car which is fun to drive. One of the most popular small automatic choices is the Toyota Yaris. The Mk3 Yaris arrived in 2011 and is available with hybrid power, while Toyota's reliability should give buyers confidence. Then there's the Volkswagen Polo, with the feel of a bigger car and a sturdy interior. Its styling may not tug at the heartstrings, but automatic versions are equipped with a slick DSG gearbox. If you're willing to sacrifice that final degree of build quality for brilliant dynamics, then the Ford Fiesta could be the best choice. When it was new, the seventh-generation car impressed with its low running costs, comfort and handling, making it the one of the UK's best-selling cars. But let's see how our trio stack up as used buys now. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Here's our expert pick of the three best automatic small cars available for a budget of £11,000, together with links to buy them through our Find a Car service … For: Responsive handling, low running costs, decent boot Responsive handling, low running costs, decent boot Against: Cluttered cabin design, clumsy infotainment Advertisement - Article continues below The seventh-generation Ford Fiesta remains one of the more stylish superminis and its driving experience was class-leading when it was a new car. The steering is precise and the chassis is agile without sacrificing ride quality, although the Polo beats the Fiesta for high-speed refinement. Automatic versions of the Ford get a Powershift dual-clutch gearbox, which isn't quite as good as VW's DSG. Still, it can be paired with the characterful and efficient 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, and a 2016, 29,000-mile example dips within this budget. The interior doesn't quite match the high standards set by the rest of the package, although it's perfectly acceptable. With a cluster of fiddly buttons on the dashboard and a dated infotainment system, the Mk7 Fiesta feels its age inside. Although fit and finish is good enough, there are some cheaper plastics on show. However, the driving position is great and all models come with electric windows plus a USB port. A heated windscreen, leather steering wheel and air-conditioning are available on higher-spec models, but every version has enough head and legroom for rear-seat passengers and a useful 290-litre boot. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Used Ford Fiesta deals For: Great reliability, hybrid power, roomy Great reliability, hybrid power, roomy Against: CVT makes engine drone, dated interior Advertisement - Article continues below With an optional two-tone body, an angular front and a few chrome flourishes, the third-generation Toyota Yaris is a sharp looker. Sadly, that's not reflected on the road, but while it's less engaging than the Fiesta, the Yaris is very easy to drive, with light controls and great visibility. The Yaris is the only car here available with a hybrid powertrain, and the silent electric running is pleasant in town. It does feel slightly underpowered and noisy under acceleration, though, thanks to its CVT gearbox. You can bag a 2020 example with 27,000 miles for within the £11,000 budget. For a smaller car, the Yaris is versatile, thanks to a spacious interior with useful storage and enough room for five occupants. The regular car's 286-litre boot is bigger than the Polo's too, and it's the same size in the Hybrid thanks to clever integration of the battery. Perceived quality isn't a match for its VW rival, though, and the plastics feel durable rather than premium. Every Yaris had Bluetooth connectivity, air-conditioning and automatic wipers, with high-spec cars adding a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This isn't the most responsive or clearest set-up, but it does feature a handy reversing camera. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Used Toyota Yaris deals For: Solid build quality, snappy gearbox, good refinement Solid build quality, snappy gearbox, good refinement Against: Boring to drive, dark rear seats Time has been kind to the fifth-generation Volkswagen Polo. It's understated and easy on the eyes, while the VW has a composed suspension set-up and is refined inside the cabin. There's enough grip, but the Polo's handling isn't as sharp as the Fiesta's and the steering is short on feel, although it's a step ahead of the Yaris in this regard. The automatic version gets Volkswagen's seven-speed DSG, and it's a slick, smooth-shifting unit. We recommend pairing this with the frugal 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine. A 2017 Polo with this combination and 44,000 miles on the clock costs less than £11,000. While the Polo isn't uber-stylish inside, the more time you spend poking around, the more you appreciate the sturdy build quality, especially for a small hatch. The materials themselves aren't particularly plush, but the use of high-grade plastics and solid switchgear beats what you'll find in the Ford and Toyota, and the cabin layout is intuitive. Sadly, although there is just enough room for rear-seat passengers, the dark trim and shallow windows make it feel a touch claustrophobic back there. The boot is slightly smaller than the Fiesta's, too, at 280 litres. We recommend the mid-range Match models, which are fitted with alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and electrically adjustable door mirrors. Used Volkswagen Polo deals Did you know you can sell your car with Auto Express? Get the highest bid from our network of over 5,500 dealers and we'll do the rest. Click here to try Auto Express Sell My Car now ... 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