It has not been easy for car distributors over the past number of years. Apart from loosing many of their dealers each fought for a slice of a market that quite simply shrunk to a dismal size.
While I respect most for battling on I really take my hat off to the likes of Renault for many reasons.
Not having, back then, as broad a range of cars as many other distributors they very clearly focused on the consumer and went about their business by introducing value.
They introduced their own scrappage deal in 2009, and doubled the scrappage offer in 2010 when the Government followed their example. They introduced their own finance deals and gave people the opportunity to buy a new car while banks turned their backs on them.
They put up with the smart remarks some motor people were saying about depreciation of their products because of their very competitive pricing and answered back by introducing 5 year warranty.
Best of all they introduced us to a new brand in the form of Dacia which simply spelled value.
Again the smart boys came out and tried their best to be critical but we all now know who has the egg on their face.
Sure Renault could have very easily packed their bags and went home because Ireland had only crumbs to offer in the form of a small slice of the market. Instead they rolled up their sleeves and worked hard to reach 11th place in 2013 with 4.47% market share. Dacia came in 16th position with a market share of 1.73% or 1286 sales.
Following in the footsteps of the new Clio, I have been driving their new Captur, a crossover type of vehicle which has a blend of SUV, MPV and hatchback about it.
First impressions
Painted a bright Arizona Orange with an Ivory roof, the Captur is the type of vehicle that would bring a splash of colour and glamour to the dullest of wintry days.
It’s refreshing, youthful and trendy. This is the type of car that has the ability to lift ones spirits.
Based upon the underpinnings of the Clio the Captur takes its name and inspiration from the Renault Concept car of 2011. It’s taller, longer and 100Kg heavier than the Clio.
Showing nice build quality, I very much admired the Captur’s design traits.
Its modern, funky look is underlined by its happy looking and pleasing front end, its sturdy looking and beautifully carved side profile and functional rear tailgate which has a refined neat spoiler on top.
The Captur comes in a choice of two trim levels, Life and Intense.
Tested in the latter format some people may see the Intense version as being a bit too fussy.
The Intense model is all about personalisation where a Captur client has the choice of dressing-up or dressing-down their vehicle. Personally I liked the extra chrome and colourful touches.
The Captur reminds me of a car that as well as having engineers, stylists and designers give their worth in building it; an artist came along and instilled a part of their artful experience into the car.
With the Intense sitting on 17” alloys in comparison to the Life’s 16” wheels, this model also has a comprehensive amount of equipment.
Behind the wheel
With interior colour schemes matching that of the cars exterior, the inside of the test Captur proved colourful, bright and airy.
Again a client is given the opportunity to tame the interior trim to their own liking.
I liked the high (10cm more than Clio) driving position of the Captur and the attention to detail of its dash layout and easy functionality.
Indeed the Captur proved remarkably spacious and showed that good thought and a lot of time went into perfecting some very valuable and practical solutions.
Take its boot space for example. The rear seat can slide forward increasing capacity from 377 litres to 455 litres. It will also slide backwards increasing knee room for rear passengers. Fully folded space increases to 1235 litres. It also offers storage under its dual height floor. The boot floor not only allows valuables to be hidden it’s also reversible, carpeted on one side, with rubber on the other for those dirty football boots or so that the family dog can be carried without hairs lodging into the carpet cover.
The Intense version also comes with zipped seat covers. What a difference these could behold for a young family. Being able to remove them, throw them into the washing machine and being able to freshen up the inside of the car will undoubtedly be a God send for many. One could also renew them when it came to selling the car. This is clever thinking on Renault’s behalf.
While both trim levels feature 60/40 split and sliding seating, cruise control, ABS with Emergency Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, all round electric windows, Hill Start Assist, Speed Limiter, Bluetooth, Trip Computer, hands free card, Auto Climate Control and leather steering wheel, the Intense model takes things up another notch.
Apart from the larger alloys, zipped seat coverings and personalisation ability it features a 7” colour touch-screen through which one can easily operate the phone, satellite navigation and audio functions. While the general finish is good, the hard bakelite gloss black trims may prove a bit too much for some.
Performance
The Captur comes with a 1.5 well proven DCi diesel engine or an 898cc 3-cylinder petrol unit.
When I saw the TCe petrol badge on my test vehicle I remarked to myself that this experience will amount to being as much fun as watching paint dry. I headed down the N4, opened up this small turbo-charged engine expecting to hear it scream for its dear life, but instead it embarrassed me to surrender. It proved eager, capable and did this without sounding stressed.
When I saw that this small little engine could easily oblige, I came off the throttle a bit and smiled to myself, full of admiration for the technology under the Captur’s bonnet. While I personally believe a high mileage driver would be asking too much from this small engine, it never the less opens up a big debate for the ordinary, up to 20,000Km per annum motorist.
While Renault claim 4.9L/100km (57.6 mpg) for this petrol unit, my overall take for mixed driving at legal speeds measured up to 6.2L/100km (45.5mpg).
Mated to this small and lovely refined three cylinder engine was a well spaced 5-speed gearbox that I would have liked had it been a little more sleeker and precise.
On the road
Only available in 2WD the Renault Captur proved very capable in its handling and offered a comfortable unfussy ride.
Steering feel was positive and feedback through it was pleasing.
It proved a reassuring Crossover which makes known its comfort zones clearly.
Verdict
The Captur enters a growing segment that will feature more competitors shortly. This Renault is well up to making an impact, especially when one studies closely its many attractions.
The test model may have proved fussy, a bit of an overkill for some, but Renault offer choice and this is worth researching. With prices starting at €19,390 and rising to €22,490 the Captur has also a competitive edge to it.
This 2WD SUV Crossover offers all the traits most SUV’s do, high seating position, good ground clearance, good visibility, practicality, versatility etc… While I’d advice high mileage users to opt for diesel there is just one thing this stylish and modern SUV Crossover won’t do and that is climb mountains off road.
Stats
Renault Captur
Engine 898cc 3-cylinder Turbo petrol
Power 90bhp
Top Speed 171km/h
0-100Km 12.9 seconds
Claimed Economy 4.9L/100Km (57.6mpg)
Test average 6.2L/100km (45.5mpg)
Gearbox 5 speed
CO2 113g/km
Tax Band A4 – €200
Boot Space 377-455-1235 litres
Spare wheel Yes
Price of test model €20,690.