Renault's Juke rival marches in

Rugged crossover makes a splash withGeneva Motor Show debut.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Luke Madden

February 2011

Take a look at the concept that Renault hopes will Captur your imagination! The French firm has revealed this Juke-sized crossover at the Geneva Motor Show.

It’s the second concept in a line-up of six which will help to define Renault’s future design language. The styling has evolved since the all-electric Dezir concept, with the full width grille now more seamlessly integrating the headlights. A large Renault badge remains centre-stage though.   Elsewhere, the Captur’s bulging wheelarches and underbody guards help to maintain a rugged off-road look.

Some of the more outlandish design touches include the 22-inch alloy wheels, the butterfly doors and a removable hard-top which reveals a carbon fibre framework.

Inside, the seats are connected to the centre console to make them appear as though they’re floating. The dashboard is made of translucent plastic, which Renault sees as a kind of second skin.

In the boot, stretched cords – which represent the worlds of sailing and mountain climbing – allow for items to be secured, but can also be arranged into a hammock. Rear seats fold out from the side of the car to provide seating for four.

Power comes from a twin-turbocharged version of the Energy 1.6-litre dCi engine which will be rolled out among Renault and Nissan models later this year. Producing 158bhp, it’s capable of launching the Captur from 0-62mph in 8.0 seconds whilst emitting just 99g/km of CO2.

Two new technologies also debut in the newcomer, including RX2 – a new mechanical self-locking differential that can transfer all or part of the engine’s torque to the whichever of the two driven wheels has the most grip.

Visio-System also finds it’s way on to the Captur and uses a forward-facing camera to embed virtual images into real-time pictures of the road ahead. Renault hasn’t mentioned what exactly it will be used for but it has implications for more accurate satellite navigation.

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous Next >

8 Comments

Rival????

I would have thought colleague would have been more appropiate, since it is based on the nisan juke and Nissan is within the Renault group.

By hotredman on 10 February, 2011, 2:29pm

Really like!!

Read my blog: http://superneauvou.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/six/

By SuperNeauvou on 10 February, 2011, 4:19pm

Am I getting old.....

.....or are most new cars either bland or looking like they were designed for some low budget nineties sci-fi movie?
Granted this is a concept, but the Nissan Juke shows that car designers still can't get it right when trying to be different - different doesn't have to mean silly looking!

By gavsmit on 11 February, 2011, 12:22am

Strictly speaking not a division but an alliance ... Renault holds 43.4% of Nissan whilst Nissan hold 15% of Renault

By hugo_b on 12 February, 2011, 9:49pm

Re: Rival????

Rival????
I would have thought colleague would have been more appropiate, since it is based on the nisan juke and Nissan is within the Renault group.
By hotredman on 10 February, 2011, 2:29pm

So agree. Sometimes you wonder. But hugo_b, the chassis is the same on both cars and they both use the same engine. Regardless of percentages owned, they use more shared parts than anybody, apart from the VW group.
The only difference is that this will be hugely unreliable in the long run as opposed to the Nissan

By lucasworld on 15 February, 2011, 8:48am

The point I was making is that they are an alliance, and because of this alliance I agree this car is basically the same car as the juke except with exterior differences.
Totally agree that vw shares components across all its brands.

By hugo_b on 15 February, 2011, 10:32am

Must be dark in there.

Given the size of the windows the interior must be darker than a dark cave on a dark day! Maybe they'll have interior as well as exterior running lights?!

By lairdfp on 15 February, 2011, 11:06am