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Renault Captur E-Tech | Test Drive
RENAULT CAPTUR E-TECH
Words Marco Rallo / Photos Bartolomeo Lazzarini
Renault’s hottest crossover reaches its second generation and, as was right to expect from a model that has immediately received the favor of its customers and others who have looked at the French brand with even more interest than before, the Captur gets substantial updates thanks to an interesting growth in terms of size, but also of concreteness. Based on the CMF-B platform – like the new Clio – this very car is the flagship of the hybrid technology of the company, especially offering a cutting-edge model like the Plug-In Hybrid of our test.
It is an E-Tech 160, the one powered by a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine combined with a 9.8 kWh battery, for a total power output of 160 horsepower and 144 Nm of torque. Full Hybrid therefore, unlike the Mild-Hybrids units introduced at its launch and never as in this period a car designed for total coexistence made of practicality, small dimensions but large space on board, needs to be in step with the times, thus showing the great commitment that Renault is putting on the E-Tech range, which also includes Megane, Clio and the Arkana SUV.
The Captur stands out for 3 cm more in step compared to the model it replaces and 11 cm gained in length, not to mention a better seat of 15 mm, in short, it has really grown in every sense. Where on the outside the stylistic features are updated according to the current Renault canons, it is inside that there is a further leap forward, having soft materials for a dashboard that houses a large 9.3″ vertical display, a digital screen behind the new steering wheel – smaller but with a thicker crown – and the possibility of selecting between 8 colors for the interior environment. It is precisely here that it is worth highlighting the fact that the sales recorded so far have shown that the extensive customization possibilities of the Captur represent a strength for the French crossover.
The standard equipment, with starting prices set at € 21,150 for the 1.0 petrol, are able to satisfy the typical customer, with air conditioning and rear air vents as standard. Still remaining in the back, it should be pointed out that 5 people can face a long journey without being sacrificed at all, since the rear pillar seems sloping, but does not bother the heads of the occupants sitting on a sliding bench, which if pushed completely forward – but without being knocked down – it scores a load capacity of 450l, a truly impressive figure. Available with front wheel drive only, the gearbox is a Multimode automatic, not always fast, at least in Eco mode. The other two driving modes available are Sport and My Sense, which allows partial customization for the main parameters of the car.
We drove the Captur E-Tech with Intens specification, appreciating a complete car from every point of view, where the possibility of traveling a few kilometers in 100% electric mode leads to an average consumption declared in just 1.4 l / 100 km, partially forgiving a price that for the Plug-In Hybrid involves an expense of at least € 33,250. Ultimately, taking into account that the look of the new Captur is extremely convincing, especially thanks to a distinctly aggressive front, this crossover shows to have all the useful credentials to invade our roads and with an elastic mechanics that transmits a feeling of solidity and composure, in the city as well as on the motorway. And if you want more, you can opt for the sporty (aesthetic only) R.S. Line, or the more complete Initiale Paris spec. Les jeux sont faits.
RENAULT CAPTUR E-TECH 160
Engine 4 cylinder Plug-In Hybrid, 1.598 cc Power 160 hp @ 5.600 rpm Torque 144 Nm @ 3.200 rpm
Traction Front-Wheel Drive Transmission Multimode Automatic Gearbox Weight 1.639 kg
0-100 kph 9,9 sec Top Speed 180 kph Price from €33.250
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