The Renault Captur urban crossover has been unveiled at the Geneva motor show today ahead of its anticipated launch in Australia in 2014.
The Captur, which is the second car by Renault’s new head of design, Laurens van den Acker, embodies the French company’s new styling language and pushes the ideas of practicality and personalization to a new level for the brand.
Although primarily a city based compact SUV, the Renault Captur measures 4.12m x 1.77m x 1.57m in size with a 200 mm ground clearance, making it capable of basic off-roading if required.
Details of the yet-to-be confirmed Australian variants are still unclear, but in Europe the Captur will be available with two diesel and two petrol engines. It uses the same drivetrain as the Renault Clio, with which it shares its platform.
Some innovative features include a driver accessible glovebox (11L of storage), a reversible boot floor that can go from carpet to plastic, a 1.6L bin built between the driver and passenger seats and seat covers that can be completely removed (via a zip) and washed for easier cleaning.
Keyless entry will be standard across the range with a keycard available on higher grades. It also comes with the now expected full Bluetooth and USB integration and cruise control as standard.
Despite its size, Renault says the Captur weighs the same as a Clio III, with great emphasis put into weight reduction. It’s also very aerodynamic, so much so that when engine cooling requirement fall below a certain level, powered flaps behind the bumper automatically shut off the air intakes, helping improve overall aerodynamic efficiency.
Renault’s Captur is also made of 16 percent recycled plastics inside, making it the first Renault to used recycled components for an environmentally friendly design process.
The crossover will be built at Renault’s Spanish plant in Valladolid, where the factory has been reworked to allow for the high level of customization expected from Captur customers.
Renault Austalia’s Managing Director, Justin Hocevar, told CarAdvice at the Geneva Motor Show that the Captur would head to Australia in the first half of 2014.
Australia is certain to take the 1.2-litre petrol variant with potential for the higher output 1.5-litre turbodiesel as well. The Captur will be available locally with a five-year warranty and fixed-priced servicing.
