On the road

We took to the roads of the Basque country to test-drive Captur. It was a natural choice, because Captur is the volume-produced version of the concept car of the same name designed by Laurens van den Acker (Head of Design, Renault) to illustrate the “exploration” dimension of Renault’s design strategy. With the scene set, Captur likes the city but has the spirit of an adventurer, almost a surfer or a camper, with an Arizona Orange tan.

Captur is a crossover, in other words, a cross between a hatchback, an MPV and an SUV. With a high driving position (10 cm higher than New Clio), if offers a clear view of the traffic, like an MPV, and more space and storage than a small city car: 455 liters (when the rear bench is pushed fully forward), with storage under the floor of the boot, and 27 liters of stowage space in the cabin (including 11 liters in the “Easy life” drawer!). It also borrows from MPVs a sliding, 60/40 split-folding rear bench that offers 215 mm of knee room for rear passengers (75 mm more than New Clio). In terms of length, it’s like a small city car, since at 4.12 meters long, Captur is only 6 cm longer than Clio.

The version we tested was a two-tone Starry Black/Arizona Orange Captur TCe 120 EDC. Captur is also available with an Energy TCe 90, an Energy dCi 90 or a dCi 90 EDC engine (the last kind will be available in the second half of 2013). The Energy engines offer Stop & Start and regenerative brakes, but cannot be mated with automatic EDC gearboxes for technical reasons.

With its EDC gearbox and feather weight, similar to Clio III despite its larger size and more comfort and safety equipment, Captur was an enjoyable travelling companion, sitting firmly on its large wheels with contained roll and little stiffness. The engine is flexible, fairly responsive even at low revs, and offers fuel consumption of 5.4 liters per 100 km and 125 g of CO₂ emission per km.

Devastating looks, practical innovations

Two unique innovations are presented on Captur:

- “Zip Collection” unzippable seat covers, which are easy to remove and replace and are machine washable. This is handy, especially when you have active children or a dog in the back.

- a large stowage drawer called “Easy Life”, the first glove box that the driver can use from his/her seat, which offers 11 liters of storage.

There’s also the R-Link multimedia tablet, with a touchscreen, already seen on ZOE and Clio. It gives access to an offering of around 50 apps via the R-Link Store, including R-Link Tweet to send tweets from the car, a fuel price app, and the Coyote Series®. The tablet includes voice command and Text to Speech, which reads out your emails or the news while you’re busy driving.

The signs of the new Renault Design developed by Laurens van den Acker are there. A proud, vertical front logo on a glossy black background, large wheels, muscular flanks create a racy, Latin look.

Made to explore…but especially to conquer !

Ultra-personalizable, practical and compact, Captur hopes to appeal to new types of customers. Crossovers are a very young market, accounting for 8% of the B segment in Europe. The share of crossovers is expected to almost double to 14% in 2013, which interests carmakers.

When it designed Captur, Renault was looking to appeal to families looking for something more exciting than a purely functional vehicle. This car will also be a “heart throb”, with a young, contemporary image, and will also attract singles and couples without children.

Last but not least, Captur is a product for conquering international markets, as Clio, Fluence, Logan and Duster were in their time. It has already been announced that Captur will be sold in South Korea under the Renault Samsung Motors badge. As well as in Renault’s historical markets, the compact crossover will also be sold in South Africa, Israel, Japan and Singapore.

So chic

As soon as you get close, the New Clio R.S. 200 EDC radiates personality and sensuous lines emphasized by the emblematic Sirius Yellow (also available in 4 other colors). The lines are both compact and racy, with the car front seeming to devour the road. The Renault Sport identity is reflected in a multitude of details such as the R.S. logo below the Renault diamond, daytime running light diodes integrated in the bumper, an F1 blade, special edition rims and rear diffusers.

Aficionados of the previous generation Clio R.S. were quick to note that the New Clio R.S. no longer features lateral air extractors and above all that it’s a 5-door! In all honesty there is no cause for panic. Removing the extractors has enhanced styling harmony, especially since the voluptuous curves of the new design endow added muscle to the vehicle. As for the rear doors, they provide increased everyday practicality and are perfectly integrated with recessed door handles. Alas, such is life for most of us and for the New Clio R.S. EDC 200. When that day comes and you need to leave the circuit and install a child seat or do the weekly shopping, those rear doors will prove mighty useful!

Startling performance

At last it’s time to get in the saddle. The Guadix circuit, well known to specialists, is 3 km long, with alternating slow and fast bends. The atmosphere is far removed from normal roads, even in the very best conditions. There is a short introduction to explain the operation of Launch Control that includes a reconnaissance lap before opening up the throttle. The level of equipment, unprecedented in a compact sports model, allows total control from a standing start. One foot on the brake, a simultaneous touch on the paddle shifters and finally foot down hard on the accelerator, the RPM dial shoots up to 2,500. Release the brake and the acceleration is phenomenal, with seamless gear changes. Bear in mind that the experience can vary according to the R.S. Drive option selected. Normal mode is used for everyday driving. Sport mode offers adapted dynamic corrections and faster gear changes. Finally, Race mode gives the driver total control as everything is manual, with both ESC and ASR deactivated. This is serious driving!
 

I opted for Sport mode. The dynamic abilities of the vehicle became apparent after just a few hundred meters. After negotiating several bends, my initial apprehension gave way to pleasure and growing audacity. The control is precise, the trajectories optimal. The sonority of the engine (turbo 1.6 l) is impressive, the tires screech. A few laps suffice to reveal the budding race-driver in me. Playful, flirtatious, at times frightening, I caught myself smiling at my own daring and need for speed. The Safety Car (a Mégane R.S. of course!) pulled me out of my racing reverie; it was time to return to the paddock and leave the circuit to other dreamers.

Video: test drive of the New Clio R.S. 200 EDC by Renault TV

Telemetry and other delights

The interior of the New Clio R.S. 200 EDC is elegant and underscored by dashes of red. The main controls are readily accessible and the distinctive Renault Sport insignia are displayed on for example the gear lever handle, the aluminum pedals and the comfortable bucket seats with lateral reinforcing.

Profiting from the tactile R-Link multimedia system (optional) installed in the central console, the R.S. Monitor 2.0 functions as a highly complete integrated telemetry tool. Customizable screens can display manometers, histograms and schemas of various measurements such as speed, turbo pressure, water temperature and engine rev. speed among others. The system is also able to display the tire slip rate (in %) or the internal readout of the EDC unit. A chronometer can also be activated (manually or via GPS) and a circuit can be downloaded via a USB key. This is a genuine electronic tool box that some will find hard to do without after a week-end on the circuit.
 

R-Sound, for even more fun

In short, the New Clio R.S. 200 EDC is a joy. One really novel and fun option is the R-Sound application that is coupled with the R-Link tablet. R-Sound simulates via speakers the realistic sound of a distinctive engine. 7 sounds are available, 3 of which are specific to this model, namely an A110, an R8 Gordini and even a Nissan GTR. The sound management algorithm integrates with the engine speed, the position of the accelerator pedal and the vehicle speed producing a startling realism. Not exactly useful in terms of racing performance but a really amusing addition to a regular commute.

Needless to say, the R.S. mode was quickly engaged. Here is Mark Webber in action:

New Clio R.S. 200 EDC near the Petronas towers in Kuala Lumpur and Pastor Maldonado being interviewed:

Let’s finish with ”The Iceman” near Fluence Phase 2 and the Alpine A110-50 concept car in China:

While keeping the roominess that characterise Dokker, the Stepway version features plastic body panels, roof bars, fog lamps, chromed ornaments and special rims.  

Dacia Dokker Stepway is a new exemple of Renault’s desire to offer cars that meet customer needs all over the world.

We could go on forever about Renault’s new supermini. But let’s start with its look. The interior is uncluttered, with a propeller blade-shaped trim on the dashboard, fluid lines, materials that are soft to the touch and soothing colors (like this white interior in the LIFE and ZEN versions) that are not usually found in a Renault. No efforts have been spared to make the atmosphere on board ZOE both calm and resolutely ecological, even before switching on the relaxing and purifying air ionizer or the fragrance dispenser. ZOE is a real little “spa car”!

The R-Link multimedia tablet, which we already saw in Clio, sits proudly in the middle of the dashboard, but now features applications dedicated to electric vehicles and blue back-lit surrounds on the heating control buttons, replacing the chrome used in Clio.

But we will come back to R-Link and its functions later on, because we have much more to say about ZOE!

In terms of comfort, ZOE feels just the same as an internal combustion vehicle. The cabin is roomy, the front seats, which are unique to ZOE (made in Flins!), are unusually shaped, but identify the ZOE family at first sight. The upholstery is decorated with the famous “Z.E.” logo and pattern, and is treated with Teflon, which is strong and easy to maintain.

The blue chrome finishing touches, which are specific to Renault’s Z.E. range, can be found in several places in the cab (dashboard, steering wheel and gear lever) and on the exterior of the car (logo, ZOE badge, headlights). The boot is spacious and even bigger than in New Clio, measuring 338 liters, mainly because ZOE’s battery is positioned under the floor of the car, rather than behind the rear seats where it would take up some of the boot space, like on other electric cars.

The TFT screen displaying the speed on the dashboard changes color depending on the speed of the vehicle, which is a very nice touch. If you drive too fast, the screen turns purple to show that ZOE is not happy because you’re consuming too much energy. If you drive ecologically, the screen stays green and is blue when your driving style is neutral.

As on Clio, the rear door handles are concealed in the door uprights. They are even marked with a fingerprint of ZOE’s designer, Jean Semeriva. The trick makes ZOE look more compact, with the exterior appearance of a 3-door model.

We also discovered ZOE’s new colors, which we had never seen before. ZOE is not available in only the good old White, Black and Energy Blue colors! We especially liked the opaque Azure Blue, which creates quite an effect.

But there’s more to ZOE than just a pretty face. While ZOE behaves like a real tourer on the open road, it prefers the city, where the regenerative braking system comes into play. With an 88 hp / 65 kW motor that outputs 220 Nm instantly, it leaves all the other sedans and sports cars way behind when the lights turn green, without emitting any polluting gases when the driver pushes the pedal to the floor.

ZOE a pleasure to drive, because it is so quiet and punchy, it is also a genuine concentrate of innovations. More than 60 patents were filed in ZOE’s design phase. The most significant is the Range OptimiZEr, which enables ZOE to offer the longest range of any volume-production electric vehicle (210 km in the NEDC cycle and 150 km in standardized urban and peri-urban driving). ZOE is also fitted with a regenerative braking system that recovers almost all of the energy that is lost when the brakes are applied. When the system is working, the little battery on the dashboard lights up brightly to show that the battery is being recharged. And the system also comes into play when the accelerator is released. The motor recovers the vehicle’s kinetic energy and converts it into electric current that recharges the battery. In our test drive, we drove 40 km on enough power to cover a range of 32 km in ECO mode. ZOE is also fitted with Michelin Energy E-V tires with low rolling resistance and a heat pump that consumes between two and three times less than a conventional system, which means that you can use the air conditioning and heating as often as you like.

ZOE accelerates sharply and smoothly, thanks to its silent automatic gearbox and a noise- and vibration-free motor. And you will soon get used to the quiet drive! It is quite surprising when you press the “Start/Stop” button and there is no noise. You will inevitably hesitate the first time. Surprisingly enough, we felt at one with nature and the environment, and had the impression that our drive was more enjoyable. But we are straying off the point…

So let’s talk about the ECO mode. We were advised to use this function, which is switched on using a button next to the gear lever, when driving in towns. In this mode, the speed is limited to 95 km/h and the air conditioning and heating systems are restricted in order to optimize ZOE’s range, if necessary. There is no need to press the button again to switch off the ECO mode. Simply accelerate sharply, a feature that is very useful when, for example, you want to overtake another car.

So what about R-Link? Every version of ZOE is equipped with this tablet with a touch-sensitive screen. R-Link features all the usual functionality of a conventional Carminat TomTom®: radio, navigation, telephone, music and connections with MP3 players by Bluetooth® or USB cables. In addition to the usual functions, a selection of applications specific to electric vehicles is also available. The TomTom® Z.E. LIVE navigation function permanently displays a circle representing the range of the vehicle. It is also possible to view a list of the nearest charging stations. R-Link’s Z.E. functions gave us advice on how to drive economically, plus an analysis of our driving style, with the “Driving eco2″ application, which analyses the distance covered and energy consumption.

In ECO mode, we achieved an encouraging 92/100 (OK on speed, not so good in terms of anticipation) by applying a few eco-driving principles. In this mode, the range can be increased by up to 10%. Other applications that we tested include R-Tweet, which can be used to tweet when parked (some of the applications are disabled when in motion for safety reasons), and Elle Astro, which reads today’s horoscope! We did not test the “Text to Speech” function, which we will look at in a more comprehensive test of R-Link.

How is ZOE recharged? Mainly on a Wall-Box (minimum 3 kW), between 6 to 9 hours. The charging cable that comes with ZOE (in a bag in the boot), can be plugged on the said Wall-Box, or public charging stations (standard and accelerated charge). The recharging socket on the car is concealed under ZOE front logo. Public quick-charge stations (43 kW) have their own built-in cable that can be connected to the car and charge its battery to 80% of its capacity in 30 minutes. If you’re scared you won’t be able to recharge anywhere around you, relax! Renault has partnerships all over Europe. In France for instance, ZOE can be charged at Autolib’ stations, in supermarkets, and at Renault dealerships. You can find a list on your R-Link while driving ZOE. We had the chance to experience an accelerated charge during our lunch time, where ZOE, at 22 kW, recovered 80% of battery autonomy in 1 hour. Very convenient when you’ve got miles to cover.

We came to a very positive conclusion after our test drive. Renault ZOE is a car with a strong personality and its own specific functionality, a point well worth mentioning. It is attractive, easy to recognize at a glance and ecologically friendly, because it does not emit any polluting gases at all. We know that ZOE is still not suited to all types of usage, but it offers a good comprise as a first car (and not as a second car, which you may have read elsewhere), for your everyday commute to work, with a second family car at home for holidays and other long trips. With a low price tag, thanks to government subsidies, it’s definitely the first mass-production electric car that is affordable. And all we can recommend is for you to test drive it and see for yourself! You’ll love it too!

Scénic XMOD winningly combines the outdoor cues of a crossover with the refined world of an MPV. With a raised ground clearance and special alloy wheels, the car features an expressive crossover-inspired design: special front and rear bumpers, sill guards and chrome-finish roof bars. The new front end is also more expressive, incorporating Renault’s new design identity and signature LED daytime running lights.

Technology on the inside

Inside Scénic XMOD, the driver enjoys a cockpit-like environment with an exclusive fixed centre console and an array of controls. The rotary control for the all-new Extended Grip traction control system and the multi-directional joystick control for the multimedia system are both easy to reach. Meanwhile, the dashboard is dominated by the fully connected Renault R-Link touchscreen multimedia system (optional).

Extended grip underneath

Scénic XMOD is the first vehicle in the Renault range to feature the all-new Extended Grip system. This advanced traction control system enables the vehicle to grip the roadconfidently under difficult driving conditions (snow, mud, sand, etc.). Manually activating the rotary control positioned on the centre console, the driver can choose from three types of assistance.

In ‘Expert’ mode, Extended Grip manages the braking system, while leaving the driver in full control of the engine torque. The ‘Road’ mode offers conventional traction control settings. It automatically reconnects at speeds of over 40kph. The ‘Loose Ground’ mode optimises braking control and engine torque control as a function of available grip.

Plus all the DNA of Renault Scénic

Scénic XMOD retains the key features which have made Scénic the benchmark in the compact MPV segment. Its boot capacity is up to 555 litres, one of the biggest in its class. No less than 71 litres of additional stowage space are cleverly spread around the cabin. Scénic XMOD offers simple, effective and fast modularity: the seats are independent, folding and removable to provide a host of seating configurations for the occupants.

We shall have a closer look at this new vehicle during the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

I picked up my Twizy from the Renault press fleet, where a handful of Twizys were charging in an underground lot, readying to hit the road. To our surprise, our Twizy was fitted with windows in the upper sections of the doors. Made out of two parts, a metal frame and a flexi-glass panel, the windows can be assembled in just a few minutes. The new accessory retails in France at €349. To open the gullwing door, you have to unzip the window to access the handle while holding the frame to one side using a tab. You get the hang of the system fast.

Coming up to 6 pm, it was time to head home. The range display read 50 km, more than enough for the journey to my place, 20 km outside Paris. My only protection against the cold was a thin coat, so I was quick to appreciate the new windows. It was cold but the windows protected me from wind chill – except for a breeze or two on the back of my neck.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

The traffic was heavy but Twizy made steady progress. Obviously you can’t weave through the traffic as you would on a motorbike, but the quadricycle is a treat to drive. The basic qualities of the vehicle remain. It pulls away energetically from lights, the quiet of the powertrain is still a marvel, and its appealing looks make people instantly warm to it. On the other hand, one of Twizy’s (relative) limits is that it isn’t authorized for highway use.

As I continued on my journey, snow began to fall. The windscreen wipers did their job, the lights provided excellent visibility and the windows kept the snowflakes and the cross winds out. The only place I felt cold was in my fingers. Range stabilized at around 32 km. It’s true that the first part of the ride made major demands on the battery, with a long uphill stretch, while the rest of the journey was relatively flat. Which goes to show that range depends more on driving style – relaxed or jittery – than on battery charge (which has its own indicator).

I got home as the snow started to stick. I parked Twizy in an underground parking space and plugged it in using a regular socket, easy as pie. The generator activated, showing a battery charge of 47%. After three hours, the battery was fully charged and I took Twizy up to the street to see how it would handle the night.

Spritely start

The first thing I noticed as I walked up to my Twizy at 8 am was that the windows had done their job. There was no snow on the front seat and practically none in the back. I wiped the snow off the windscreen and – this time wearing a winter jacket and gloves – started the car no problem. Twizy obviously doesn’t have all the comfort of a regular car. There’s no heating or radio, although you can use a removable music player. The road was fairly slick, but Twizy handled the conditions well. The direct braking encourages you to take all the necessary precautions. As I drove towards my regular highway entrance ramp, I saw that a big jam had built up. I happily made a detour through Versailles to get to work. But the traffic was still fairly dense, and pointed to two problems. First, at a standstill, exhaust fumes can be bothersome. Second, if you haven’t got the right cloth, it can be hard to get rid of the condensation on the window. After a photo op at the statue of Louis XIV, I continued on my way. Twenty minutes later Twizy arrived at its destination. After driving 30 or so kilometers that morning, the battery showed a charge of 52%.

Conclusion: still a thrill

To sum up, driving Twizy in the middle of winter is not just possible but a lot of fun, as long as you can put up with one or two minor inconveniences, chief of which being the cold. Some Twizy aficionados have wasted no time in making their vehicles more comfortable. Renault-origin accessories include covers for drivers and passengers and a hands-free kit. It’s true that the half doors and new upper windows keep raindrops and drafts out of the vehicle in bad weather. But most of all Twizy is still a thrill to drive, unlike any other vehicle. And as we all know, the sun always follows the rain!

To read another account of how Twizy drives in winter conditions, check out what Yoann Nussbaumer had to say on his blog, Automobile Propre (in French though).

Coming in the wake of Clio’s renewal, Captur marks the next step in Renault’s design offensive under the leadership of Laurens Van den Acker.

Renault Captur is a compact, unaggressive crossover which is particularly user-friendly. It benefits from Renault genes through and through… – Benoît Bochard, Director, A/B-Segment Product Range

The name Captur reflects the spirit of Renault’s new urban crossover. In line with the “Explore” petal of Renault’s design strategy, Captur invites customers to take part in an adventure, to discover the world together. The production model maintains this propensity for escapism. The over-sized wheels, the comfortable road clearance and the soft, inviting forms are conducive to dreaming. And to all forms of exploration, whether extraordinary or more ordinary.

Renault Captur will be unveiled at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show in March.

From March 5, internet users will be able to:

- Discover Renault’s new urban crossover in detail on their computer, tablet or smartphone.

- Discover the book which looks back at the origins of the vehicle’s design.

- Take part in the new ‘Captur the Day’ competition.

So how’s Dacia’s lineup doing in Europe ? Our bloggers tell it like it is, when it comes to our affordable city cars:

“I liked the Media Nav system, it’s really cheap and actually works like the more expensive navigation systems” - Groenlicht

“Impressed with Dacia Sandero, because the quality has improved, all at a Dacia price” - El Semanal Digital

“It holds the road well [...] It was a nice surprise” - Les Enjoliveuses

“It’s the ideal engine for a modern run-about with extra-urban capabilities” - Blog Automobile

Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a hold of our Italian and British drivers, so next time, promise!

Read more about Dacia Sandero, Sandero Stepway and Logan, on our featured blogs:

Autofans http://www.autofans.be/rijtesten/hatchback/24599-rijtest-dacia-logan-sandero-en-sandero-stepway

DRIVR http://drivr.be/2012/12/04/test-dacia-logan-sandero-stepway/

GroenLicht.be http://www.groenlicht.be/2012/12/15/rijtest-dacia-sandero-stepway-logan-201/

Blog Automobile http://blogautomobile.fr/nouvelle-sandero-dacia-plus-fort-dacia-169453#axzz2EeTI53Fp

Les Enjoliveuses http://www.lesenjoliveuses.fr/tous/dacia-sandero-ou-sandero-stepway/

Blog-Moteur.com http://www.blog-moteur.com/essais/977-notre-essai-des-nouvelles-dacia-sandero-et-stepway.html

El Semanal Digital http://www.elsemanaldigital.com/dacia-sandero-y-logan-2013-menos-es-mas-125871.htm