Renault overhauls Captur small SUV

RENAULT has uncovered its new-generation Captur small SUV that will hit Australian showrooms in the middle of next year, complete with new styling, updated technologies and the potential of a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Wearing usual SUV tropes such as black plastic underbody cladding and prominent front and rear scuff plates, the upcoming Captur has also been given a higher waistline and wider front grille for an overall look that is sharper and more athletic.
 
Up front are LED headlights as standard, while both front and rear lightning elements are arranged in Renault’s signature C-shape.

Overseas versions will be available with 11 colour options and four contrasting roof hues, although what choices make it to Australia are currently unknown.

The second Renault model to be underpinned by the new CMF-B platform – following the reveal of the fifth-gen Clio light hatchback earlier this year – the Captur has been stretched by 110mm in length, to a presumed 4232mm.

However, the rest of the dimensions remain a mystery. For reference, the existing Renault Captur measures 4122mm long, 1778mm wide and 1566mm high with a 2606mm wheelbase.

As a result, boot capacity in the Renault small SUV is up a substantial 81 litres, to 536L, with the rear seats in place, while with the second row stowed, items measuring 1570mm in length can be inserted in the rear.

Inside, the Captur gains Renault’s updated Smart Cockpit dashboard layout first seen on its Clio sibling, which slightly tilts controls towards the driver for easier use and improved ergonomics.

A floating portrait-orientated touchscreen is now used for infotainment functions, with it available in 7.0- and 9.3-inch sizes. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality is baked in, but only the higher-end systems will sport built-in satellite navigation.

Complementing the floating central screen is instrumentation that is now displayed on either a 7.0- or 10.0-inch display.

Drivers are treated to a smaller-centred steering wheel for improved instrumentation visibility thanks to a slimmer airbag, while larger door pockets will now swallow 1.5-litre bottles, the central armrest sports two USV sockets and rear passengers have access to a 12V charger.

Renault claims the new Captur’s interior features “a new dimension of quality and comfort, rivalling models form the class above thanks to its high-grade materials: soft-coverings for the dashboard, door panels, the contour of the centre console; meticulously finished fittings; and a new seat architecture”.

The latter now sports a 15mm-longer base and a more supportive shape with easier to reach adjustment controls – at least for front occupants.

Rear pews have also been tweaked with a new hollowed-out shell backing that grants 17mm more legroom, according to Renault.

Features such as wireless smartphone charging, a semi-panoramic sunroof, a frameless rearview mirror, an electric park brake and a premium Bose sound system are also offered in the new Captur.

Safety has also been improved in the jump to a new generation, with the Captur available with surround-view cameras, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, high-beam assist, front and rear parking sensors, park assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

Headlining the drivetrain updates to the Captur is the E-Tech plug-in hybrid option that pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two unspecified electric motors and a 9.8kWh battery pack.

The result is a 45km driving range and speeds of up to 135km/h in pure-electric mode, but, like the Clio hybrid that uses a similar system, energy can be recuperated through braking.

However, the battery can also be charged via a standard household socket or a fast-charging station.

The transmission of choice for the Captur E-Tech plug-in is a continuously variable (CVT) unit.

While the plug-in hybrid Clio has already been ruled out for Australia, a Renault Australia spokesperson told GoAuto that “if the hybrid (Captur) becomes an option for the Australian market, we would look into it”.
 
For those not yet sold on the electric future, three petrol engines will also be available in the new Captur – a 1.0-litre turbo triple and a 1.3-litre force-fed four-pot available in two states of tune.

Badged as the TCe 100, the entry-level shares the same petrol engine as its Clio counterpart and develops 74kW/160Nm, while the larger displacement motor will produce 97kW/240Nm and 114kW/270Nm in TCe 130 and TCe 155 forms respectively.

No transmission details have been revealed about the TCe 100 engine, but the TCe 130 will be made available with a six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, whereas the TCe 155 is paired exclusively to the latter.

Two oil-burning versions will also be available overseas – a 70kW/240Nm and 85kW/260Nm 1.5-litre turbo diesel – but given the fact there are no diesel-engined Captur options currently in Australia, these are not likely to make their way Down Under.

Local pricing and specification of Renault’s second-generation Captur is expected closer to its mid-2020 launch.