GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Renault releases its Captur

Renault has ensured it won’t be left wanting as a swathe of new compact SUVs enters the market. The French manufacturer has unveiled its Captur compact SUV at the Geneva motor show today, the model underpinned by the same ‘B’ platform as the Renault Clio and Nissan Duke.

First shown in concept form at the 2011 Geneva motor show the Captur’s production form sees it lose the curvaceous lines and large 22-inch alloy wheels, retaining little more than its bright orange paintwork.

“The genes of Renault Captur contain all the ideas of the concept car – the concept car which it was my pleasure to present as the expression of the ‘Explore’ theme in Renault's life-cycle design strategy,” explained Laurens van den Acker, Renault’s senior vice president of corporate design.

“As the brand’s first urban crossover, Captur combines all the advantages of the MPV, SUV and family hatchback. Its balanced, fluid lines impart a friendly muscular energy to its bodywork, while its expressive style and everyday practicality provide an open invitation to discover the world – either two-up, or with the whole family aboard.”

The Captur will compete against the likes of Ford EcoSport, Holden Trax, Opel Mocha and Peugeot 2008, and the Renault's dimensions accordingly reflect that small footprint, at 4120mm long, 1770mm wide and 1570mm high. An impressive 200mm of ground clearance should lend the Captur enough capability to compete with vehicles in the segment above it, Renault says.

Riding on 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels, depending on variant, the Captur is offered with a choice of light or dark interior trims in the base grades, with customisable interior themes, decals and paintwork offered on upper-spec variants.

Speaking at the international debut of the Captur in Geneva, Renault Australia managing director, Justin Hocevar told motoring.com.au that those features we see on the show model will make it to Australian showrooms.??

“We should be able to offer almost all of the personalisation features seen here,” said Mr Hocevar. “The way our dealers are starting to operate means they’re ordering a really high proportion of their own stock, that suits their local area, and then they can always top up their stock or take orders from us. If there’s a specific customer order, then you’re looking at about a eight to 10 week [wait] minimum from order to delivery.”

Clever innovations include an 11-litre drawer-style ‘Easy Life’ glovebox and removable ‘Zip Collection’ seat covers on some variants. The cargo bay floor is height adjustable and reversible with carpet on one side and plastic on the other. Depending on its position, the floor can be adjusted to provide between 377 and 455 litres of carrying capacity. The 60:40 split-fold rear seat slides through 160mm to offer even great carrying capacity.

Renault will also offer its new R-Link or Media Nav systems on Captur, in addition to an already generous standard feature list. A (EDC) dual-clutch transmission is also available in conjunction with the TCe 120 engine option.

A total of four engines will be be on the menu in European-spec Capturs, including TCe 90 (90hp/67kW) and TCe 120 (120hp/89kW) petrol and dCi 90 (90hp/67kW) diesel offerings. Fuel consumption figures start from as low as 3.7L/100km with CO2 emissions of just 95g/km. Weight saving technologies, low-rolling resistance tyres and considered aerodynamics contribute to Captur’s lean figures.

The good news for Aussie buyers is that Captur will come highly specified, but reasonably priced, when it arrives Down Under.

“We’re looking at one diesel and one petrol at this point in time. We’re thinking the higher output engines will suit the Australian market,” explained Mr Hocevar. “[In terms of pricing] there’ll be a little bit of crossover between high-end, high-specification Clio and the entry specification Captur. I think it will be a good volume model for us. Megane and Clio will continue to be our highest volume models, but this will complement that range.”

“It’s definitely a new segment that’s going to kick off in a big way, and we’ll certainly be one of the earlier ones [to that segment]. We’ll make sure it’ll be priced right and not only will it be priced right, but it will come with a five year warranty, capped price servicing and a lot of those things the other brands won’t offer,” Mr Hocevar concluded.

A high safety score is expected to follow with Renault announcing a comprehensive array of standard active and passive safety features for its compact SUV.

Further details, including pricing and Australian release timing, will be announced closer to the Captur’s Australian launch around this time next year (2014).