Renault Captur in the driving report
The Crossover Plus
Since mid 2013 Renault presents itself in the crossover segment with the Captur. Since then, he has enjoyed increasing market figures every year on the same platform as his younger brother Clio. In the year 2016 alone, the French carmaker sold more than 215.000 units in Europe. In order to continue this trend, the Captur experiences a significant upgrade in the course of its first model maintenance. The Captur can not hide its origin from the House of Renault with the rhombus in the brand logo, if the same front was tailored to the brand appearance. Combined with the design of an SUV in the area of the radiator grille and the bumpers of a crossover, the Frenchman looks more adult. Nevertheless, he is not only chic he therefore. Also under the body a lot has happened. The price list starts below the 16.000 Euro limit.
Crossover or SUV?
At first glance, the Captur tries to be a compact SUV, mini SUV or a small car. Its dimensions speak a clear language. The Frenchman has been applying in the crossover segment since its market launch. The modern exterior shows the vehicle in the sporty yet elegant look of the Renault family. When it came to the topic of different target groups, the French designers came up with an expansion of the color spectrum. The revised Captur, known as a two-tone vehicle anyway, offers more than 30 color combination options for exterior and interior design. The LED daytime running lights on the Captur's headlights also have a very distinctive “C” shape. New in the course of the facelift are the optional LED rear lights that reproduce the "C" in 3D optics. With its platform, which it shares with the Clio, the crossover also offers a newly tuned chassis with precise steering, which together result in a completely confident driving experience. In the first tests around the romantic metropolis of Copenhagen of the Energy TCe 120 with 87 kW (118 PS), we found that the Captur copes well with potholes and bumps in the road, so it looks very stable overall and offers comfortable driving behavior. The increased ground clearance of 170 mm also qualifies it for driving on dirt roads and gravel roads. He masters the combined motorway routes just as comfortably and so the vehicle gives us an all-round carefree package.
Manageable engine range
With two gasoline and diesel units, the engine range is kept fairly clear. In the gasoline sector, the ENERGY TCe 90 with 66 kW (90 PS) and the ENERGY TCe 120 with 87 kW (118 PS) work. If the 90-PS engine is exclusively delivered with a six-speed manual transmission, the customer can choose between a six-speed manual and six-speed dual-clutch transmission on the 120-PS engine. The two diesel engines ENERGY dCi 90 and dCi 110 with the power levels 66 kW (90 PS) and 81 kW (110 PS) are used on the 90-PS engine with both a six-speed shift and a six-speed The 110-PS engine is exclusively equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. All engines comply with the Euro-6 emission standard, with the 118-PS petrol version with six-speed manual gearbox we use consuming only 5,5 liters per 100 kilometer, which equates to just 125 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer. The details of the manufacturer we come very close during our test drive. The petrol engine delivers decent 205 Newtonmeter torque as low as 2.000 revolutions per minute.
Interior with room for everyone
Inside, with a vehicle length of 4,12 meters up to five people comfortably. The cabin convinces with good material and workmanship. The clearly designed cockpit with elongated horizontal lines and the extended R-Link Evolution® and the touchscreen multimedia system Media Nav Evolution (7-inch display) as an eye-catcher and control center also ensure a generous feeling of space. Both systems are optionally available and can be operated both via the display and the control satellite on the steering wheel. There is also the R&GO audio system with an integrated smartphone holder, which makes it possible to use the applications of the same name. The panoramic glass roof, which is new on the list of options, provides more optical space and light. The interior variability of the Captur is the same as that of an SUV. We experience this with the removable and height-adjustable variable trunk floor. In the lower position, the maximum trunk volume of 455 liters is available when loaded up to the edge of the window. In the upper position, when the rear seat backrests are folded down, it enables a consistently flat loading floor. With this reduced seating, the loading volume reaches 1.235 liters when loaded up to the roof. The variable luggage compartment floor consists of two parts and can also be used as a luggage compartment divider. Individual pieces of luggage can be fixed better here. This setup enables luggage up to a length of 1,51 meters to be transported.
Captur with top lifestyle equipment
A wide array of radar- and camera-based driver assistance systems increases the active safety in the Captur. These include the Lane Keeping Warning and the traffic sign recognition with speed alert. Optionally, blind spot warning and emergency brake assist are also available. An Easy Park Assistant will also be optional. The driver only has to accelerate and slow down while the Easy Park Assistant takes over the steering. With the five equipment variants, the French car maker wants to respond to different customer needs. If the Captur starts with the variant "Life" with the changed interior and exterior design, the "Experience" customer can expect more sporty applications. The middle equipment "Intens" offers more SUV look and comfort. The top version of the predecessor "Crossborder" is to provide more on-board infotainment. New in the program, Renault's "Initial Paris" version not only demonstrates the all-in features, the vehicle is intended to build a bridge to the next segment with more ambience and infotainment. Priced the Captur begins his journey at 15.890 Euro. The end of the flagpole forms a fully equipped vehicle with a price of 27.790 Euro.
And finally ... A clear sign that vehicles with driving pleasure, utility value and recreational character are also sold below the 16.000 euro limit on the German market, shows the revised Captur. Nevertheless, the customer comes with more claim to quality and workmanship not too short.
The new update of the Renault Captur is crossover with ambitions to the SUV. A MUST as a family vehicle and for people with a penchant for extreme leisure activities.
Text: Stefan Beckmann, Beitragsbild: Manufacturer Picture: Stefan Beckmann and Manufacturers