New car on show: Captur, Scenic XMOD
Captur (main picture)
This is the production version of the Captur Concept that first appeared at Geneva in 2011 and it’s fair to say that it’s a stylish looking thing that could turn the heads of prospective Nissan Juke buyers.
It’s also important to point out that it also shares many of its mechanical bits with the Nissan Juke, so hopefully, it should be reliable
The Captur is based on the Clio – a very good start then – but it has a raised ride-height, a chunky off-road body and large wheels. Renault is also offering the Captur with a load of kit so base models get keyless entry, hill start assist and rear parking sensors.
Personalisation is the key selling point, which scares us because it could work out to be a very expensive option if buyers get tick-happy. Like the Vauxhall Adam – also personalisation hell – the Captur features a two-tone colour scheme with the roof and pillars finished in one hue and the rest of the car in another.
The Captur will be available to order from April. For more information click here.
Somewhat inevitably, the Renault Scenic has been reborn as a ‘crossover’ and so the small people carrier has been given faux off-roader styling along with a new name: XMOD.
Apart from big wheels, raised ground clearance and chunky bumpers, the new Scenic has been given a new digital instrument display, clever modular seats which are more adjustable than before and a new traction control system.
Called ‘Grip Xtend’, the system allows the driver to select different settings depending on the surface they’re driving on. This allows easier control on surfaces such as mud or snow, for example.
The engine range includes Renault’s new TCe 130 Stop & Start petrol engine, which is claimed to be 15 per cent more fuel efficient than the old version of the engine.
You can read more about the Scenic XMOD by clicking here.
Clio GT-Line
The GT-Line variant of the Clio is a stepping stone between an ordinary Clio and the upcoming high-performance Renaultsport Clio RS hot hatch, so it’s a sort of mildly warmed up Clio in essence
Available in both hatch and estate form, it’s powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a semi-automatic transmission. Like the next Clio RS, steering wheel-mounted paddleshifters take care of the gears. Average fuel consumption is 54mpg, while CO2 emissions are a decent 120g/km.
To make it look the part, GT-Line spec includes sportier-looking grille and bumper designs including a lip spoiler at the front along with 17-inch alloy wheels and twin chrome exhaust tailpipes. The interior’s been pepped up a bit too with deep-sided sports seats and aluminium pedals.
Standard kit includes a touch-screen sat-nav system with Bluetooth connectivity, while optional extras include a reversing camera. Order books open in April, with the car landing in the UK in July.
You can read our full Renault Clio review by clicking here.
