Renault brings Captur from concept to reality with new CUV
Fri, 18 Jan 2013
Based on the Renault Clio, the Captur offers buyers a range of gasoline and diesel engines. While the automaker hasn't served up any drivetrain specifics, we'd be surprised if the Captur option sheet didn't come littered with the same powerplants as its cousin, including a turbocharged .9-liter three-cylinder and a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine as well as a 1.5-liter diesel. A six-speed dual-clutch transmission handles shifting duties in all applications.
The Captur will be built at the Renault facility in Valladolid, Spain. Expect to see the machine receive an official unveil at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March. Until then, you can take a closer look at the full press release below, and be sure to click through the complete gallery here as well.
Renault Captur: the urban crossover that will change everyday lives
January 11, 2013
As testified by a record of innovations that dates back to 1898, Renault has never stopped questioning preconceived ideas or challenging conventional automotive thinking by placing the needs of customers at the heart of each new project.
Today, Renault introduces Captur, its first urban crossover that will stand out from the crowd by delivering the best of three different worlds:
• The expressive styling and driving position of an SUV,
• The cabin space and modular interior of an MPV,
• The agility and driving enjoyment of a compact saloon car.
Coming in the wake of Clio's renewal, Captur marks the next step in Renault's design offensive under the leadership of Laurens van den Acker.
"Renault Captur is a compact, unaggressive crossover which is particularly user-friendly. It benefits from Renault genes through and through..." Benoît Bochard, Director, A/B-Segment Product Range
Renault Captur, a crossover on the outside
Renault Captur's smooth, fluid, balanced forms express an assertive yet unostentatious personality. Its robust, status-enhancing look takes its inspiration form the Captur concept car, from which Renault has carried over both the spirit which guided its design, as well its evocative name. The lines of Renault's new crossover are perceived as unpretentious, yet the forward position of its steeply-raked windscreen emphasises its dynamic stance.
The combination of its compact volumes, raised ground clearance, large-diameter wheels and sill guards will enable it to take every aspect of everyday motoring in its stride.
Renault Captur will be easy to customise and notably comes with an original two-tone colour scheme which produces an attractive contrast between the roof and pillars and the rest of the body work.
Renault Captur, an MPV inside
Despite its compact footprint (length: 4m12), Renault Captur exudes a real sense of interior space which is underpinned by the forward position of its windscreen and its generous interior dimensions.
Its exclusive, colourful cabin is warm and relaxing, and this first impression is reinforced by a selection of interior customisation solutions founded on a choice of colours and motifs for the different trim features.
Renault Captur also boasts the appointments and comfort refinements expected of an MPV, such as a high-up driving position, large boot, modular interior and innovative stowage solutions.
The standard Renault Captur will have an equipment specification worthy of that of the next segment up, including hands-free entry, hill start assist and rear parking sensors.
Also available will be the new, connected, in-dash Renault R-Link touchscreen multimedia tablet, plus a system that comprises six loudspeakers, Bluetooth® connectivity, audio-streaming and Arkamys® hi-fi sound.
Renault Captur, the agility and driving enjoyment of a compact saloon car
Renault Captur is based on the same platform as New Clio, acclaimed as a B-segment benchmark when it comes to driving pleasure. It consequently delivers best-level dynamics, from road holding to engine response and agile handling.
The petrol and diesel engines available for the model benefit from the very latest Renault technologies and will return best-in-class fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, starting from as low as 96g/km.
Renault Captur will be manufactured at Renault's Valladolid plant in Spain and will be unveiled at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show in March.
By Zach Bowman
See also: Dacia brand has become "cash cow" for parent Renault, Renault will have new Alpine ready by end of 2015, Renault appoints Dacia Logan creator to head its Nano-rival program in India.