Tuesday 25 September 2018

CAPTUR, THE SUCCESS STORY



Launched in 2013, the Renault Captur is the first crossover in the Renault range. Urban crossover, Captur leads its segment in Europe. Christophe PĂ©jout, Deputy Program Director and involved in the Captur adventure since the very start, shares his insights on why the car has proved such a success.

1.  What is the main reason for the success of Captur?


Captur is a success first of all because of its design. ZOE and New Clio were the first to express the Group's renewal in this area, and Captur followed in their footsteps. We put a lot of work into proportions, a fundamental component in design, to give it an extremely well-balanced look. With its highly successful design lines, Captur drew the attention of customers from the segment above. The car's design captured the trend of the time, that of crossovers, with a body style that was a first for Renault. This was a key choice in the project.

2. What are the model's other most appreciated qualities?

There's its roominess, despite its relatively short body length. It is also appreciated for its practical aspects, with the sliding bench, glove-box drawer providing plenty of storage space, and removable seat covers. And it is extremely customizable, with two-tone body paint as well as a range of colors for the wheels and a choice of interior design schemes with strips, steering wheel designs, and seat colors.

3. Bringing customers a two-tone body must have required a certain amount of industrial adaptations?

It's true that two-tone bodies were not habitual to the brand, and when we launched Captur in June 2013, only a third of the models at the Valladolid plant could be produced with a two-tone body. Congratulations have to go to the plant staff, which rolled out three paintshop shifts to fill the initial orders, before we converted a paint booth especially for two-tone models. Since September 2014, 100% of the Captur models produced can be customized with two-tone paint.

4. What were the expectations with Captur when it was launched?

We wanted to create a real disruption with the design, and even with the concept itself of the vehicle, relative to our previous production in the segment. We knew we had to change the concept to attract new customers. Above all we wanted to inject more freshness and emotion into the Renault range. Many avenues were open to us, and Laurens van den Acker, Senior Vice President, Corporate Design, had the intuition to design an urban crossover.

5. That was a first for Renault. Were you able to do so without being afraid of shocking customers?

We were aware of the growing popularity of crossovers, and the Product Department knew that for this model we needed to combine the two ideas of family life and adventure with the urban side of this car's category, the B segment. We had to develop an SUV or a crossover, but without the aggressive aspect associated with 4WDs. On the contrary, we wanted to lend a touch of empathy and tailor the car to people not looking to express that aggressiveness. Our designers met that goal by designing a short model, easy to use in the city, and not overly imposing, even for a second car.

6. What were some of the obstacles to the Captur launch?

Initially, the main obstacles were difficulties in plant capacity, suppliers, engines and logistics.

7. Which technical components has Captur brought to a wider audience?

First of all, the R-Link multimedia system, disseminated widely with this model. A lot of people discovered R-Link thanks to Captur. Also, our EDC dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Customers were attracted to this gearbox with our petrol engines on the high trim levels. Last of all, what you could refer to as the "Renault touch": the keyless vehicle. We succeeded in moving this equipment down range, available from the second trim level. We brought Captur customers a real hands-free card.

8. Is Captur now one of Groupe Renault's leading models?

Yes, I think so. It is a pillar model in terms of sales volumes, popularity and the construction of the brand image, and all in what is a strong segment for Renault. We are the leader in this segment in Europe. And this success has been extended through international versions. This model has been developed for Russia, Brazil and India under the name of Kaptur, and it is now available in numerous other countries. We launched it recently in Malaysia and it is exported to Japan, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Chile. It is an image booster and many importer countries that didn't want it initially now do.

9. What are the expectations for New Captur?

New Captur was launched in June. It features a number of improvements, but there is no revolution in terms of body styling. It now sports the Groupe Renault light signature, the famous C shape. Above all, a great leap in quality has been made inside. We have given it the perceived quality of a C-segment model. It is really known for this now. And because it is an urban car, new driver assistance systems are now available. The multimedia offer is also extensive, with three new systems: R&Go, MediaNav and R-Link Evolution. Lastly, the appearance of the Initiale Paris signature is a major new development on New Captur.
If this article didn’t make you want to test drive the Captur - you’ll seriously miss out. Find your perfect Captur at a Group 1 Renault dealership today!

Article source:
https://devotedtorenaultautomobiles.weebly.com/blog/captur-the-success-story

Friday 21 September 2018

The Renault Clio is impressive in small hatchback class

The Renault Clio is a hot cake


The French brand is an exceptional one due to its simplicity, reliability and practicality. Though getting aged but its popularity graph is still high among small hatchback class. It’s comparatively good, is wide and has spacious interior with economical engines that offer a good driving experience too its users.


The interior of Renault Clio is simple but a reasonable one

The edge that Renault Clio has on its rivals is of its good, simple and reasonable interior that is not fussy at all and the manufacturer seems not in the try to impress the audience by pouring lot of equipment, systems and controls in its small interior.

The Clio offers a good driving experience with noise free interior. The material is of good standard and well knitted. The plastic material along with metal touches gives the interior a classy look. The steering is of good weight gives good handling and accurate driving experience.

The power train of Renault Clio is good enough to support this hatchback

There are good and efficient petrol and frugal diesel engines for Renault Clio. Though not with extra and gigantic power, but reasonable in response and offer smooth driving experience.

Renault Clio is not a big hatchback so its engine range is rightly compatible with its smaller body design and built. All engines produce fluent and smooth power rather than bombastic sprint with extra brisk and speed.

Renault Clio enjoys a good variety of diesel engine

The diesel engine range of this hatchback starts with 1.5 litre dCi unit. It is capable of 88bhp and 162lb/ft torque. It is a four-cylinder and eight-valve engine, perfect match with Renault Clio’s small built.


It takes 11.6 seconds to get from 0-62m/h with top speed of 112m/h. It offers massive fuel average of 85m/g with just 85g/km of CO2 emissions. It is fitted with five-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive unit as standard.

The 1.5 litre dCi unit with 110bhp version

The other diesel engine for Renault Clio is of 110bhp and 192lb/ft torque. It is available in six-speed manual gearbox rather than five-speed gearbox and front-wheel drive system as standard.

It is also a four-cylinder and eight-valve engine and takes 10.8 seconds to get from 0-62m/h with top speed of 121m/h. The fuel average is efficient one with 80m/g and CO2 emissions are 90g/km.

The petrol engine lineup has more option than the diesel engines

The petrol engine lineup starts with 1.2 litre unit that is of just 73bhp and 79lb/ft torque. The interesting thing of this engine is it’s built. It is four-cylinder and sixteen-valve engine rather than eight as we find in all diesels and takes 14.0 seconds to reach from 0-62m/h with top speed of 104m/h.

The fuel average is also not good as we have in diesels. It gives 51m/g of fuel average with 127g/km of CO2 emissions and is equipped with five-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive system.

The 1.2 litre with 118bhp version

The other petrol version in 1.2 litre TCE is of 118bhp and 140lb/ft torque. It is quite responsive in speed due to six-speed EDC automatic gearbox assembly and takes 9.6 seconds to get from 0-62m/h with top speed of 121m/h. The fuel average of this version is also impressive with 54m/g and emissions are 120g/km. It is fitted with front-wheel drive system as standard.

The 1.0-litre petrol engine with 88bhp version

This is a 1.0litre TCE petrol engine capable of 88bhp and 100lb/ft torque. It is three-cylinder and twelve valve engine and takes 11.8 seconds for 0-62m/h sprint with top speed of 113m/h. Renault Clio is quite feasible with this tiny unit. It offers excellent fuel average of 62m/g with 104g/km of CO2 emissions and the strange version is fitted with five-speed gearbox and front-wheel drive assembly.

The 1.6 litre TCE petrol engine with 197bhp

The Renault Clio is available with powerful petrol engines also as we have its 197bhp and 192lb/ft torque version which is fast enough to take this small hatchback from 0-62m/h in 6.5 seconds. The fuel average of this engine is 47m/g with 133g/km of CO2 emissions.
It is fitted with six-speed EDC automatic gear box and front-wheel drive system. The other version available in this 1.6-litre petrol engine is of 216bhp and 192 lb/ft torque. It is used in Renault Clio Sport Trophy model.

It takes 6.3 seconds to get from 0-62m/h. The fuel average of this engine is 47m/g and CO2 emissions are 135g/km. It is also fitted with six-speed EDC automatic transmission and front-wheel drive unit.

Safety and reliability

In my own opinion the Renault Clio is the safest car in small hatchback category. The French automaker has used standard safety features in its vehicle such as six airbags with extra head protection accessories.
The Renault Clio is smart enough with hill start assist system, traction control and emergency braking system. Some of its models are with day-running LED lights. There is no blind spot warning system and Clio is not equipped with latest safety features as lane departure warning system and driver alert system etc.

The Renault Clio has parking sensors and reverse camera along with LED headlights and tail lights. The Clio has secured five stars in stability control from Euro NCAP.  The design is enough solid and gives good road grip and stability in awkward situations.

Practicality and Boot Space

The Renault Clio is a small hatchback with good practical approach. It offer nice interior with reasonable space. Though it offers not a luxury standard of servings for its occupants, but within this size it is quite affordable.

The leg and head space at front is good but at rear the situation is just acceptable.  The seats are of good material. The dashboard is with standard equipments and practical with simple systems. The boot space is good enough anyhow Clio offers 300-litres of boot space as standard. The rear seats can be folded in 60:40 ratios and you can enjoy 1150-litres of storage capacity.

Test drive a new or used Renault Clio and experience for yourself why it is such a favourite. Simply visit Group 1 Renault online here to request a test drive.