2013 New Renault Captur : Production version

The Renault Captur concept starred in the 2011 Geneva Motor Show as Renault’s idea of an urban crossover. The Captur was one in a series of four designs under the stewardship of Laurens van den Acker, Senior Vice President, Design Renault. The series which included the luscious DeZir, R-SPACE, FRENDZY and of course the Captur was inspired by Renault’s ‘Drive the Change’ motto. After more than just a year, Renault has announced the production version of the Captur, which retains the name and the basic ethos of the concept, but has a host of welcome additions in its production guise.

The Captur is built on the Renault-Nissan alliance’s B-Platform shared by the Nissan’s Note, Juke and Renault’s Clio III, Modus. The highly successful Renault Duster is also built on B0, a platform derived from the B platform. Renault presents the Captur as an urban crossover that brings three important elements of design together in a single package. The styling of an SUV, the practicality of an MPV and the handling of a compact sedan.

Styling like an SUV

Renault says the Captur form is smooth and balanced. While the lines make the Captur seems unpretentious, the steeply raked windscreen says otherwise. The Captur in front three quarter angles seems extremely dynamic. Renault also has swathed the Captur in a two tone finish and we have to say it looks stunning!

Renault says there will be a number of customization options for both the exterior and interior of the Captur. The interior, Renault says will be warm and relaxing thanks to the colourful cabin. Renault is also providing a selection of interior customisation solutions based on a choice of colours and motifs for the different trim features.

Practicality like an MPV

The Captur has a small footprint, yet has a very airy cabin. At a length of just over 4.12m the Captur is smaller than the Juke by 15mm. The MPV theme carries on into the interior with a high-up driving position, large boot, modular interior and innovative stowage solutions.

The standard Renault Captur will have an equipment specification found only in vehicles up a segment. Keyless entry, hill start assist and rear parking sensors are some of them. Also available will be the new, connected, in-dash Renault R-Link touchscreen multimedia tablet, plus an entertainment system that comprises six loudspeakers, Bluetooth® connectivity, audio-streaming and Arkamys® hi-fi sound.

Agility of a Sedan

Renault Captur builds on the confident driving manners on another car the shares the B platform, the much acclaimed New Clio. Renault leads us to believe the Captur will deliver best-level dynamics, from road holding to engine response and agile handling. In addition, the combination of its compact volumes, raised ground clearance, large-diameter wheels and sill guards will also enable it to handle surfaces that aren’t smooth tarmac.

Autocar points out that the engines available will be the latest 89bhp 0.9-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol and 89bhp 1.5-litre turbodiesel from the Clio. Renault says these engines will offer best in class fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, starting from as low as 96g/km.

Renault has website for the Captur that goes live from the 5th of March 2013. Renault Captur will be manufactured at Renault’s Valladolid plant in Spain and will be unveiled at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show in March.