Renault teases compact SUV
New compact crossover to usher in French company's grand SUV expansion plansRenault has teased its new compact SUV with a single image and video ahead of its first public outing at the Geneva motor show in March.
The Clio-based SUV is codenamed J87 and no official name has been linked to the vehicle, though the sporty Captur SUV concept from 2011 could provide inspiration.
Renault has lagged behind its rivals in recent years in its SUV expansion plans, with the Koleos the only SUV available in Australia at present, which is based on sister company Nissan's X-Trail.
However as reported by motoring.com.au from Geneva last year, the new compact SUV will be the first of several new SUVs and crossovers from Renault, explained the French brand's design chief Laurens van den Ackers.
The first official teaser image shows Clio-inspired headlight and grille treatment with clean and simple design lines.
Two further images pulled from the teaser video show a profile shot of the sleek headlight design and a telling - if blurry - glimpse of the rear end which continues the sleek theme with stylised brake lights.
Based on the Clio 4 platform, the compact SUV could to be powered by similar engines to the light car, including a tiny 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol unit that outputs 68kW/135Nm and uses just 4.3L/100km.
Naturally aspirated and turbo versions of a 1.2-litre petrol engine, generating 54kW/107Nm and 90kW/190Nm respectively, are also likely starters for Renault's new baby SUV.
More details of the car will be revealed by Renault on Friday, January 11, but it is clear the affordable SUV is aimed squarely at the European market and a diesel engine - such as the Clio's 1.5-litre 68kW/220Nm unit - will be a must.
The new Renault model will rival compact SUVs such as Peugeot's just-revealed 2008 and the upcoming Ford EcoSport and Renault's local operation is very interested in bringing the vehicle to Australia.
Renault Australia's Corporate Communications Manager, Emily Ambrosy, told motoring.com.au "We believe this is an exciting new model that would work in Australia. We're very keenly looking at it".
Ms Ambrosy said if the baby SUV does get the green light for the Australian market, we wouldn't see it until at least 2014.
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