Renault Captur - A guide to the small crossover market, part 6

Up to triple art - this is how Renault's attempts to capture the pseudo-off-road segment can be briefly described. The first attempt took place in 2000 when the Scenic RX4 debuted. Although the concept of a minivan dressed in off-road attire and equipped with a 4x4 drive was interesting, the buyers were like medicine. Renault tried its hand for the second time by introducing Koleos to the world. Unlike the slightly redesigned RX2006, the new model was already a traditional full-fledged SUV, but at the same time played (and still plays) the role of an extra in the market. This year it's time for test number 4.

This time, the French decided to do their homework, checking the reasons for their defeats so far and the reasons for the success of their competitors, and at the same time adjusting the concept of the novelty with the latest trends in the off-road automotive industry. class. And that's how it was created Renault Capturwith an attractive appearance, firstly, a compromise between the dimensions of the body and the practicality of the cabin, secondly, thirdly, the absence of almost no one else's 4 × 4 drive, and fourthly, an acceptable purchase price. Built on a platform known from the Clio or Nissan Juke, the car was first shown at the Geneva Fair in March and went on sale immediately after the premiere.

Styling-wise, the Captur is a development of the prototype of the same name that debuted in 2011. The production model is drawn so boldly that ... in itself, it looks like a studio car. With a length of 4122 mm, a width of 1778 mm and a height of 1566 mm, the French designers have managed to focus a lot of stylistic avant-garde, thanks to which the body attracts eyes from all sides like a magnet. Not only is it modern and elegant, but - as befits a crossover - it can command respect.

Engines - what can we find under the hood?

The base engine used in the subcompact Renault has several advantages of downsizing - it has a displacement of only 0,9 liters and 3 cylinders, but thanks to a turbocharger it develops 90 hp. (at 5250 rpm) and 135 Nm (at 2500 rpm). ). For a car weighing 1101 kg, these values ​​\u12,9b\u171bseem to be insufficient, but for everyday driving around the city they should be enough. On the track, however, you can feel the acceleration to “hundreds” in 6 seconds, a top speed of 4,9 km / h and a manual transmission without XNUMXth gear. The average fuel consumption of the gasoline engine was set by the manufacturer at a modest XNUMX liters.

The thirst for better performance Renault Captur he pushes another small but intense drive. The turbocharged 1.2 TCe engine produces 120 hp. at 4900 rpm and 190 Nm at 2000 rpm and must cope with a car weighing 1180 kg. And it would probably run really well were it not for the only 6-speed automatic offered with this engine. The speed of operation is not its strongest side, so acceleration from 0-100 km / h is as much as 10,9 seconds (maximum speed is 192 km / h). As for fuel consumption, Renault's promised 5,4 l/100 km, unfortunately, is clearly not true.

The third option for the Captura engine is a 1,5-litre 8-valve diesel engine with a dCi badge. Paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, this engine produces 90 hp on a French crossover. (at 4000 rpm) and 220 Nm (at 1750 rpm). This is enough to accelerate the 1170-kilogram car to “hundreds” in 13,1 seconds, and stop accelerating at around 171 km / h. These aren't particularly enticing results, but the flexibility of the engine isn't to be complained about, and the diesel consumption is very low - the cataloged 3,6 liters can be hard to come by, but we still rarely show up for gas stations. .

Equipment - what will we get in the series and what will we have to pay extra for?

The range of equipment options for the Renault pseudo-all-terrain vehicle includes three options. The cheapest of them is called Life, it is available in two versions of the 90 hp engine. mirrors, cruise control, trip computer, eco-friendly transmission, repair kit, daytime running lights and 16-inch steel wheels.

An unpleasant surprise will meet those who are in the standard model Renault Captur expect an audio system or air conditioning. The first one, including 4 speakers, a CD player, USB and AUX ports, a Bluetooth system and a built-in display, cost PLN 1000. For a manual "air conditioner" you will have to pay PLN 2000. Other options available in Life include non-metallic paint from a special color scheme (PLN 850), metallic paint (PLN 1900), fog lights (PLN 500), alarm installation (PLN 300) and a temporary spare tire (PLN 310). ).

Moving on to the list of items available on the second trim specification, we learn that it's the only trim we get body-colored mirror caps and exterior door handles, as well as a few chrome exterior pieces. With the Zen version (offered with all engines), we no longer have to pay extra for a basic audio package, manual air conditioning and fog lights, and we also get a MEDIA NAV multimedia package with a 7-inch touchscreen and GPS navigation. , Renault hands free map, leather steering wheel, reversible luggage compartment floor, reversing sensors and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The list of additional equipment of the Zen variety is very rich. In addition to two varnish options, an alarm installation and a driveway, which are also available in Life, we have power folding mirrors (for PLN 500), (PLN 2000), an extended map of Europe (for PLN 430). 500), removable upholstery (PLN 300), tinted rear windows (PLN 16), 300" black alloy wheels (PLN 17), 1800" black, orange or ivory alloy wheels (PLN 2100), special metallic paint (PLN 1000) or two-tone body color (PLN).

The last piece of equipment he has in stock Renault Captur, there is Intense (available with all three drives). Unlike the Zen, it offers removable upholstery and two-tone bodywork at no extra cost, plus automatic air conditioning, an economy indicator, dusk and rain sensors, cornering lights and 17-inch aluminum wheels as standard. design.

The list of accessories for the Intens variant overlaps with that available at Life - and here the buyer can order one of three custom paints, an alarm installation, a temporary spare tire, as well as power folding mirrors, an extended version of the European map and special 17-inch wheels ( the last of the accessories costs not 1800, but 300 zł). In addition, Intens offers heated seats for PLN 1000, a rearview camera for PLN 500, and an R-LINK multimedia package for PLN 2200. The latter includes a radio, a surround sound system signed by Arkamys, USB and AUX inputs, a Bluetooth system, TomTom navigation, a 7-inch touch screen, access to online services and - after an additional PLN 600 - the ability to use interactive services. .

Describing the equipment of the French crossover, it would be a sin not to mention the possibility of personalizing it and ordering additional accessories. Individuals can tailor the exterior and interior of the Captura to their own personal tastes, giving selected exterior and interior elements carefully chosen colors and patterns.

Prices, warranty, crash test results

– 0.9 TCe / 90 km, 5MT – 53.900 PLN 58.900 for the Life version, PLN 63.900 for the Zen version, PLN for the Intens version;

– 1.2 TCe / 120 km, EDC – 67.400 72.400 PLN for the Zen version, PLN for the Intens version;

– 1.5 dCi / 90 km, 5MT – 61.650 PLN 66.650 for the Life version, PLN 71.650 for the Zen version, PLN for the Intens version.

Warranty Protection Renault Captur Mechanical parts are guaranteed for 2 years and perforations for 12 years. Renault has been known for making safe cars for years, so the Captura's 5-star EuroNCAP crash test score should come as no surprise - more specifically, the car scored 88% for adult protection, 79% for child protection, 61% for pedestrian safety and 81% for driver assistance systems.

Summary - which version should I use?

When deciding on the gasoline version of Renault's "SUV", you do not have to think long about choosing an engine. If we drive almost exclusively in the city, we should reach for the 0.9 TCe engine - in the urban jungle it turns out to be quite frisky, does not burn excess fuel, and also allows you to save a little when buying. . If we go on tour often, unfortunately we have to choose the 1.2 TCe option – unfortunately, because in combination with the only automatic transmission available, the engine guarantees only decent performance and at the same time consumes a lot of gasoline.

For those who put fuel consumption in the first place, we definitely recommend the third engine - a 1,5-liter diesel. This engine is not only very economical, but also agile and - for calm drivers - quite dynamic. Unlike today's high-stress "gasoline engines", diesel is a proven design that has long been used not only in Renault.

As is usually the case, the most reasonable option among the gear options is the one in the middle of the pack. The Zen version - because we're talking about it - is available with all engines, its standard covers almost everything the average car user needs, and allows you to take advantage of a large offer of accessories if necessary. However, the top version of Intens should not be deleted - it really is several thousand zlotys more expensive than Zen, but only in it Renault Captur offers many nice extras, including an automatic "air conditioner" as standard.