Renault, with typical French flair, chooses not to interrupt the German and Chinese EV showcase at Munich IAA Mobility 2025. Instead, it waits until the end of the press day to reveal its new, gasoline-powered Renault Clio – unveiling it not at the sprawling Munich Messe convention center, but right in the heart of the city.
The move was also appropriate because to pull the wraps off this sixth generation of the brand’s perennially best-selling city car in a major city center is exactly where it is designed to be.
Best of all, for any city dweller, it won’t be dependent on the owner finding an urban public charging point, which is very likely already occupied, broken or simply not even there within walking distance of their high-rise apartment.
Watching the online live-stream from downtown Munich was a bit of an old-school breath of air after trudging round the BEV-fest of the conference center.
We are told Renault Clio launches with two choices of powertrains, starting with the entry-level model with a 1.2L 3-cyl. gasoline turbocharged TCe engine delivering a claimed 115 hp, itself significantly more powerful than its previous generation, coupled with a manual gearbox.
The engine also claims a maximum torque value of 140 lb.-ft. (190 Nm) aiding a claimed 0-to-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint time of 10.1.
Meanwhile, claimed combined cycle fuel consumption on Europe’s WLTP rating is 56.6 mpg (47 mpg (5.0 L/100 km] U.S.) while CO2 emissions are 114 g/km.
Its ”halo” sibling boasts a full self-charging E-Tech hybrid powertrain version claiming a system maximum output of 160 hp developed by Horse Powertrain, a joint venture created between Renault and China’s Geely.
This powertrain employs a 1.8L 4-cyl. gasoline engine coupled with electric motors boasts a maximum system torque output of 278 lb.-ft. (377 Nm) to claim the 0-to-62 mph sprint in 8.5 seconds.
Its two electric motors are powered by a 1.4 kWh battery featuring a new cooling system and a clutchless multimode intelligent dog box with tailored ratios.
Renault claims record-breaking CO2 emissions of just 89 g/km on the WLTP’s combined cycle and fuel economy of 72.4 mpg (60.3 mpg [3.9 L/100 km] U.S.).
It also says this model’s hybrid system can drive in electric mode for up to 80% of the time in and around cities and enjoys a 621-mile (1,000 km) between refuels on highways. Its Renault-proprietary technology combines a 1.8L direct-injection Atkinson-cycle 4-cyl. combustion engine, two electric motors powered by a 1.4 kWh battery featuring a new cooling system and a clutchless multimode intelligent dog box with tailored ratios.
The new Clio also comes with four driving modes, which adjust powertrain calibration and steering assistance.
On-board technology includes Renault’s all-in-one OpenR Link infotainment system with Google built-in, data packages and extensive connectivity similar to the brand’s premium models. It also enables connected maintenance and over-the-air software updates.
“Having sold nearly 17 million units, Clio is our best-seller,” Renault brand CEO Fabrice Cambolive tells the live audience at a presentation. “New Clio perfectly represents the level of excellence of our hybrid range, alongside our fully electric models.”
Meanwhile, Polestar also chooses to launch its new 4-door electric grand tourer sedan, the Polestar 5 (pictured below), away from the mêlée in the Messe in the city center.
The premium GT is more of a mile-munching highway cruiser measuring a full 16.5 ft. (5,029 mm) long to take the brand’s title as its flagship.
Polestar 5 employs an in-house developed electric rear motor that claims up to 603 hp and 487 lb.-ft. (660 Nm) of torque while its Polestar 5 Performance sibling boasts 871 hp and 748 lb.-ft. (1,015 Nm) total power output.
The sprint time from standstill to 62 mph for the Performance model is a claimed 3.1 seconds while the 737-hp (550kW) Polestar 5 dual motor model achieves the sprint in 3.8 seconds. Both versions are electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).
Polestar 5 employs 800V electrical architecture, a first for the brand, to aid performance and charging times.
Able to cope with up to a 350 kW fast charger, the model claims a 10%-80% battery charge in just 22 minutes and an external charging indicator on the C-pillar gives a first-glance indication of the vehicle’s state of charge.
To boost range, the Polestar 5 dual motor will disconnect the rear motor when not in use, an electronic version of the old Land Rover free-wheeling hubs and help it claim a range of 416 miles (670 km) on the WLTP rating while Polestar 5 Performance manages up to 351 miles (565 km).
True to grand tourer models its silhouette is long and Polestar achieves the shape without compromising rear-seat space by moving the rear header structure backwards behind rear-seat occupants’ heads and employing the digital rearview mirror and virtual rear window as on Polestar 4.
Polestar 5 also features the largest panoramic glass roof of any Polestar so far, at just over 6.56 ft. (200 cm) long and 4.1 ft. (125 cm) to help fill the cabin with light.
At the rear, the Polestar 5 uses an aerodynamic lightbar with rear vent detail and integrated rear diffuser to improve airflow. With its flush frameless glass and retractable door handles the model claims a 0.24 coefficient of drag.
“Polestar 5 is bringing the future to our present,” Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller says in a news release. “Our vision for Polestar’s design, technology, and sustainability direction is no longer a dream but a reality our customers can buy.”
Announced prices for most European markets are €103,153 ($121,050) for the Polestar 5 dual motor Launch edition and €120,904 ($141,881) for the Polestar 5 Performance.
