2020 Renault Captur unwrapped

The all-new, second-generation Renault Captur has been unveiled, promising to offer more space, advanced new tech and a range of efficient plug-in hybrid powertrains.

On sale in Europe in early 2020, the Mk2 Renault Captur replaces the French car-maker's current baby SUV that first went on sale back in 2013.

Like the previous generation Captur, the new small SUV is heavily based on the Clio supermini -- in this case, the recently unveiled fifth-gen version that was revealed back in late January.

Sharing both the Clio and larger Megane's looks, which Renault claims is both "more modern, more muscular and more expressive", the Captur is said to boast LED head and tail lights as standard across the range.

The 2020 Captur moves to the car-maker's newest CMF-B platform that, thanks to the car-maker's alliance, is also set to underpin its closest rival, the Nissan JUKE.

Unlike the Clio, instead of shrinking in size, the new Renault Captur is actually bigger than the car it replaces. Measuring 4230mm long, it's 19mm wider and around 110mm longer with a wheelbase that's been stretched by 33mm.

Renault claims that thanks to its more generous proportions and the addition of a sliding rear bench that can move up to 160mm, the next Captur offers class-best rear seat space and a large 536-litre boot – 81 litres bigger than before.

Despite being bigger, engineers said that when it's introduced the bigger, better equipped Captur will weigh around the same as the old car, thanks to weight-saving measures that include an aluminium bonnet and plastic rear tailgate.

Inside, the Captur benefits from the significant cabin upgrades the smaller Clio has introduced, with the baby SUV getting high-grade cabin materials, a new seat design, floating centre console and new tech like wireless phone charging.

Dominating the design is a vertically-mounted 9.3-inch infotainment system that's combined with a new 10.0-inch full customisable digital instrument panel (lower grades make do with a smaller 7.0-inch dash).

Cashing in on buyers desire to personalise their vehicles, Renault says it will offer 90 exterior colour combinations that can be combined with 18 different interior configurations.

When it goes on sale, initially, the Captur will be offered with 74kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo power and a slightly larger 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 96kW or 114kW.

Just one diesel will be available, a 1.5-litre with either 70kW or 85kW.

Low-powered versions will be combined with a five-speed manual while more powerful versions get the option of either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Shortly after launch, Renault says the Captur will be available with its new E-Tech plug-in hybrid powertrain that teams up a 1.6-litre petrol with a 9.8kWh lithium-ion battery and two-electric motors and a CVT transmission.

The most efficient plug-in is claimed to be capable of travelling up to 45km on pure-electric power alone at speeds of up to 130km/h.

Renault hasn't released full technical details, but it's thought the new powertrain will offer around 110kW of power and substantially more torque than a conventional petrol.

Claimed to have been developed to bring substantial benefits in refinement, thanks to the new platform engineers claim the new Captur will be among the safest small SUVs ever built, offering buyers new tech like a 360degree camera, autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection and Level 2 autonomous driving aids.

It's not been confirmed when the bigger, safer, more efficient and technically advanced Renault Captur will arrive in Australia, but an announcement is expected shortly.