IAB reader spots 4 test prototypes of the Renault Captur [Update]

Update - IAB reader Ashok Kumar has spotted the new Renault Captur on test in Chennai. The Hyundai Creta rival is bracing for an arrival in the festival season.

Aug 7 -

An IAB reader has spotted four test protos of the Renault Captur dressed in camouflage, on the Bengaluru highway. Ahead of its festive season roll out, Renault is testing the Renault Captur (Renault Kaptur) in mixed terrains, from the high-altitude mountains of Ladakh to the urban roads of Chennai in the South.

The Renault Captur is the second entrant in the compact SUV segment for the French. It is 4,333 mm long, 1,813 mm wide and 1,613 mm tall, and has a 2,673 mm wheelbase. In the overseas specification, the ground clearance stands at 205 mm, with the 387 litre boot expandable to 1,200 litres with the rear seats folded.

The Captur is localized to the extent where its platform is changed. Unlike the EU spec Captur that uses the sophisticated Renault Clio platform (Renault-Nissan B-Platform) and will shift to the more advanced CMF-B in the second generation, the Indian spec Captur rides on the B0 platform which was first used on the Logan (later Mahindra Verito) and later by the Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano. The proven platform gives the company a high economy of scale and has the techno-commercial viability to give the SUV a very aggressive price point. It also promises the well-documented comfort, handling and spaciousness this widely acclaimed vehicle architecture has come to be known for.

It is likely that the Renault Captur will employ the 1.5-litre H4K petrol and 1.5-litre dCi diesel engines from the Renault Duster. The petrol engine produces 106 PS and 142 Nm of torque. The diesel engine will likely come only in the 110 PS/245 Nm specification. Renault could offer the petrol Captur with the optional CVT choice and the diesel Captur with the available 6-speed AMT options. A 4WD system could be optional. The company could chalk out a phase-wise approach to the rollout of the variants, as it did with Duster. Following the Duster's poor showing in the GNCAP, Renault will look to set things right by offering up as much safety kit as possible.

Also See: Interior of the top-end Renault Captur variant (Renault Kaptur) spotted

Renault will launch the Renault Captur in India in Q3 FY2017-18 (October-December 2017). Prices are expected to start at around INR 10 lakh (ex-showroom), taking direct aim at the 1.4L diesel variants of the Hyundai Creta.