There is still limited clarity on what Renault’ compact car for India next year is. To be unveiled in January 2012 (Auto Expo?), the hatchback can be the next generation Clio rendered here.
However sources have told IAB that the next generation Clio might not be stationed on the V-Platform, meaning Renault’ V-Platform model and the Clio are two independent models.
Renault officials refused to speak about the compact car. They will open the small car chapter with the Indian media only in the month of December. As of today, there are three possibilities for the Renault small car.
1) Current generation Renault Clio brought to Oragadam and localized aggressively
2) V-Platform-derived hatchback with Micra’ powertrain
3) The next generation Clio is stationed on a different platform and has no relation to the small car
Another possibility is the next generation Clio (official teaser image seen above) sitting on the new generation Tiida (hatchback showcased recently in China) platform. We’re hoping to get more information as to what’s what in the next few months. All we can say is stay tuned to IAB!
So, we’ve learnt from media reports about Renault’s next generation Clio using the V-Platform (from the Nissan Micra) and Renault’s V-Platform hatchback is also expected to look stylish and different compared to Micra.
We’ve also seen spyshots of the clay model of the 2012 Clio and thought it was indeed stylish, before we looked at auto journal’s rendering of this car. We think it’s extremely good, in fact splendid. The only thing bothering us is will the actual car turns out to look this way?
The 2012 Clio is expected with the same 1.2-liter petrol engine that’s moving the Micra. Motive force will also come from more powerful petrol engines, which might not make it to cars on showroom floors here in India. The 1.5 dCi diesel engine should be present and so would electric powertrains (knowing Renault’s friendly attitude towards electric cars) in the future.
According to media reports, the 2012 Clio will be built on the Nissan Micra V-Platform. What’s better? – It could be manufactured at Renault-Nissan’s Oragadam facility, near Chennai.
The 2012 Clio could use the Nissan Micra’s 1.2-liter 3-cylinder petrol engine and perhaps even the 1.5-liter diesel motor. It is way too early to ascertain any technical details, but we suspect mechanically, the Clio and the Micra will be almost the same.
The difference will be in comfort, design and performance. Suspension, engine and gearbox settings could be tweaked to achieve a different result.
AlVolante reports the Clio will get 98hp from the 1.2-liter engine. The car for India could produce lesser power for the sake of better fuel economy.
Renault is all set for a new innings in the Indian market. Its Joint Venture with M&M has not really worked out with the Logan selling only 1/10th of the number of units that was initially planned per month. The Logan might be upgraded with a new sub 1.2litre engine along with an under 4m length & relaunched with a lower price tag but beyond that, there would be no car coming from this JV.
Renault will take on the Indian market independently. It will set up a dedicated distribution network and will be bringing a brand new portfolio of contemporary products. The Fluence sedan that was showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo will be targeted at the Honda Civic customer and the Koleos SUV will take on the Toyota Fortuner.
But more importantly it will bring the small car-Clio into the Indian market. The next gen Clio which would make its international debut in 2012, is based on Nissan’s V platform, the same one that is used by the Micra. This would be an advantage for Renault as it would get a ready-made base for the car thus saving costs.
Platform sharing has always been an advantage for companies as it saves costs. Giants like GM,Ford,VW have raked in millions owing to this technique. Nissan & Renault sell products of the same segment in the global market & have had a success as both the companies maintain their own DNAs.
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The 2012 Renault Clio uses the Nissan V-Platform
Here’s another artist representation of the upcoming Renault Clio, which according to reports, will be manufactured at the company’s recently inaugurated facility in Chennai starting 2012.
The Renault Clio (see leaked images of clay model) will make use of the Nissan V-Platform and probably the same 1.2-liter 3-cylinder petrol engine. The car could be smaller than the Nissan Micra and Renault will follow Nissan’s strategy with its small car – made in India, but for the world.
It is not new for car makers to use the same platform for multiple brands. The VW Polo and the Skoda Fabia are based on a similar platform, the next generation Indica and Fiat Punto would use the same platform. Platform sharing has occurred between two car manufacturers who otherwise aren’t in a partnership. Like the Fiat 500 which shares its underpinnings with the new Ford Ka.
The next generation Renault Clio will be built on Nissan V-Platform. More importantly, according to Autocar UK, it will be built in Renault-Nissan’s factory in Oragadam, near Chennai in the next few years.
When IAB interacted with Marc Nassif, Country General Manager for Renault at the Auto Expo, he said the existing Clio and Megane were too expensive for the Indian market. He said the safety features offered on the Clio and Megane would bump up costs indirectly meaning the next generation Renaults destined for India could come fully loaded with safety equipment and still be affordable.
The next generation Renault Clio could be the fourth Renault in India after the Logan, Fluence and Koleos.
We reported on the leaked 2012 Renault Clio clay models last month and speculated on the chances of the compact hatchback arriving in India.
Well, we’ve got more news to share.
A French Auto magazine has published images of what it claims will be the 2012 Renault Clio. A good scoop and a very good photoshop work.
The 2012 Renualt Clio could use inspiration from its bigger brother Megane and borrow those boomeranged shape indicator lamps embedded on its brake lights. From a certain angle, the tail lamp looks like a lump on a bruised head. The red color connotes the blood clot 
click through for a images
You can never be sure of the world these days. You send something to someone for assessment or courtesy and the next minute they advertise it and take your trust for a ride.
The 2012 Renault Clio clay model photographs have crawled their way to the Internet. The car looks a lot curvy and fleshy compared to the existing one. The side profile calls to mind the Suzuki Swift, while the line that commences at the front wheel arch, twists and ends abruptly kind of reminds me of the Tata Nano. Maybe the Nano’s line is a bit more civilized and knows where to go 
There is still limited clarity on what Renault’ compact car for India next year is. To be unveiled in January 2012 (Auto Expo?), the hatchback can be the next generation Clio rendered here.
