Mumbai: French auto maker, Renault in partnership with surfing and snowboarding brand Rip Curl will introduce a limited edition of the popular car Clio this year. The successful partnership has already sold 30,000 Clios in more than 20 countries in 2007.

Available in three- and five-door form, the new Clio by Rip Curl 2008 is both dynamic and trendy and offers a list of specific equipment tailored for those who enjoy winter and water sports.

Clio sports distinctive exterior looks, with a range of customisation packages featuring modern and striking graphics.The car features special decorative trimming on the boot, on the rear door panels and on the anti-slip front door sill. The exterior design itself is dynamic and flowing, a sensation underpinned by the expressive gaze of the headlamps and black headlamp masks. Depending on country, the Clio is available with additional cornering lights and extra-tinted rear glass as standard. The flanks of this limited edition feature Rip Curl branding on the side protective strips and a new body colour, Dyna Red, has been introduced for the model. Five other metallic finishes are available including Iceberg Blue, Nacré Black, Blue Grey and Platine

The interior has been revisited by Rip Curl. Special touches include specific upholstery sporting the Rip Curl logo, a chrome centre console, exclusive Rip Curl sills and specific rubber floor mats, as well as a sand- and snow-proof compartmented stowage box in the boot.

The audio connection box is located in the glove box and enables all types of iPod/mp3 players to be plugged into the car's audio system via a USB socket or 3.5mm jack. The easy-to-use steeringwheel-mounted fingertip remote controls enable drivers to scroll effortlessly through their own mp3 music library on the move.

The partnership is not only about selling vehicles but is also committed towards protecting the plannet. Renault contributes financially to the Rip Curl Planet Foundation, which is associated with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The foundation concerns the protection of natural habitats associated with winter and water sports (mountain areas, coastal regions),  environmental education and awareness programmes, eco design-led research and development work on surfing products (surfboards, wetsuits, clothing).

All the engines available for Clio by Rip Curl are environmentally friendly and all versions comply with the three criteria required for the Renault eco² appellation: Either their CO2 emissions are less than 140g/km (1.2 16V, TCE 100hp, 1.5 dCi 70hp, 85hp and 105hp) or they are biofuel compatible (1.2 16V Ethanol), depending on country. In France, the diesel engines are eligible for the 'eco-bonus', while none of the petrol engines qualifies for the 'eco-surcharge'.

The Clio is manufactured in factories at Flins (France), Valladolid (Spain) or Bursa (Turkey).  All versions are 95 per cent end-of-life recoverable and at least five per cent of the plastics they contain are sourced from recycling. Powered by the 1.5 dCi 85hp engine, Clio  emits just 117g of CO2 per km for combined cycle fuel consumption of just 4.4 litres / 100km.

View: Auto videos | Auto picture galleries