Hard-nosed
Compact with his people 424 cm longversatile thanks to the sliding sofa that gives more space to people or luggage, and with an extensive range of engines, including hybrid or LPG, the Renault Captur it is a crossover capable of satisfying different needs. In this version updated is recognized for the front completely redesigned and more massive. The thinned headlights are one with the narrow grille, characterized by the graphic motif a arrow (visually widens the front) which takes up the profile of the lozenge of the Renault logo placed in the centre. Same aesthetic solution for the eye-catching daytime running lights on the sides of the bumper. The bonnet is powerful, with a flat shape, with the exception of the generous bulges on the sides. The rest of the bodywork is substantially unchanged, with slender sides streamlined by contrasting color inserts in the lower area. The collection starts rear it has the same headlights but the new transparent cover underlines its original “C” shape.
Four engines
Returning to the engines of the renewed one Renault Captur, the choice is between the 90 HP 1.0 three-cylinder turbo petrol or even LPG (101 HP). In both cases the gearbox is a six-speed manual gearbox. There are even two hybrid versions. The most brilliant mild hybrid with the 1.3 turbo petrol engine with 158 HP and the dual clutch gearbox or the full hybrid of the test with the 94 HP 1.6 naturally aspirated petrol engine and an electric motor with 49 HP: they can both work together, providing 143 HP, or separately. The robotic gearbox has 4 gears for the hybrid mode, plus another 2 for the electric one. Without synchronizers, it has front clutches: a second 24 HP current unit, which also acts as a starter, is responsible for matching the wheel revolutions with those of the 1.6 to engage the gears. A 1.2 kWh lithium-ion battery located under the floor of the trunk powers the hybrid system.
The novelty is the E-Save function (activated with the button on the left of the dashboard) which keeps the battery charge at a minimum of 40%. This should obviate a limitation of the previous Captur, which a low battery on uphill routes it was a bit difficult due to the limited contribution of the electric motor (in practice it was only driven on petrol). Other innovations from a technical point of view concern the calibration of the electric power steering, the suspension angles and for the hybrid models the different shock absorbers. All changes aimed at making driving even more agile and responsive. Furthermore, the system is available for the full hybrid in the Techno trim Extended Grip (350 euros including all season tyres): to the four standard driving modes starting from the Techno set-up (Eco, Sport, Comfort and the customizable one) are added two more (Snow and All-terrain), which intervene more what else about the ESP facilitate mobility on slippery and uneven surfaces.
From 22,250 euros
The renewed one Renault Captur is already on sale with prices starting from 22,250 euros for the 90 HP 1.0 petrol engine in the Evolution trim with manual “climate”, the multimedia system with 10.4″ display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, in addition to the main driving aids including automatic emergency braking capable of “seeing” pedestrians and cyclists. For the full hybrid version of the test, which with the same set-up costs 2,300 euros more than the mild hybrid, ei prices they start from 29,650 for the Techno with 18″ wheels, automatic climate control, wireless charging for the phone. The new setup Esprit Alpine of the test costs 32,450 eurosstands out for its sporty customisation, 19″ wheels and is the only one to offer the two innovations for the passenger compartment as standard: the 10.3″ digital dashboard (7″ for the other versions), which is configurable and also shows the full-screen navigation map, and the multimedia system based on Android Automotivewhich includes Google services and the navigator (800 euros for the Techno).
It is cozy
In addition to the two new displays, the interior of the renewed Renault Captur it stands out for its pleasant-looking textile coverings which are partly made with recycled materials. The availability of space is always more than good and the sofa which slides 16 cm is useful: when it is all the way forward, however, the comfort for the legs is eliminated and a hole forms in the floor in the trunk, where small objects can fall dimensions. Convenient driving position quite high and with a seat that is not excessively snug. The secondary controls are well arranged, such as the row of buttons under the display in the console and, for the full hybrid, the short gear lever raised in the tunnel: in the lower area there is a large compartment, which houses the induction charging for the phone . Only discreet there trunk capacity of the full hybrid: with the sofa “all the way back”, the company talks about 326 liters which grows to 440 liters when pushed all the way forward. Better capacity for the other models: 422 and 536 liters respectively.
Docile rather than biting
Helped by the 19″ wheels and the limited roll, the Renault Captur 1.6 E-Tech Esprit Alpine It moves quickly through bends and has high grip limits. When you overdo it, the ESP intervenes decisively, but not abruptly, putting the rear axle back on track. However, although powerful with its 143 HP, the Renault Captur full hybrid should not be driven with determination (for this reason the mild hybrid is preferable) but in a gentle manner, where the smooth running even at lively paces. If the battery is charged, the thrust of the electric motor it gives a big hand to the naturally aspirated 1.6 and the response is ready, full-bodied right from low revs, but not angry. However, a few kilometers of brilliant uphill driving were enough to bring the “battery” almost to zero the momentum has definitely dropped because the 1.6 on its own is a bit short of breath. For this reason, in the test we subsequently inserted the E-Save function and in fact the charge never dropped to a worrying extent (but, by “working” the four cylinder more, consumption increases).
Help also comes from mode B (Brake) which can be selected with the gear lever: when released it slows down the car more decisively to regenerate the battery. As for the robotized gearbox, without manual mode (present in the mild hybrid instead), it works correctly in relaxed driving, while increasing the pace sometimes he has some indecisions and during acceleration it keeps the 1.6 revving too long, when it can’t push much more and it becomes noisier. The brake pedal is well modulated and the steering is not excessively light and has an appreciable precision. Comfort is ok: the soundproofing is effective and only on the most marked bumps does the suspension transmit some jolts. As for the consumptionin the extra-urban test the on-board computer indicated at times a calm and at other brilliant driving approximately 16 km/l.
