Renault Captur: Juke-Sized Crossover Convertible Concept Demonstrates New Design Language

Remember the Renault DeZir sports coupe concept from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show? If you don't, you can refresh your memory here, but in short, the two-seater study herald the French firm's new and more curvalicious design strategy on a sports car. Fast forward to today, and Renault has unveiled a new concept model called the Captur, which applies the DeZir's design philosophy on a three-door small crossover with a removable hardtop.The Captur will receive its world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Salon.


“It takes as its basis the fundamental design language introduced on the DeZir concept car but adds a more technical dimension – more functional but still highly sensuous," said Renault's director of concept cars, Axel Breun,
The French firm said that for the exterior designer, the main sources of inspiration were athletes and radical sports with styling references to equipment such as helmets, gloves and other protective gear.
The Captur, which is close in size to alliance partner Nissan’s Juke, is crafted from carbon fiber and features a removable hardtop that allows it to transform from a coupe to a convertible crossover. Other highlights include the butterfly doors and extra-large tires fitted to 22-inch black and white rims.
The colorful and futuristic-looking interior that can seat four passengers features fluorescent highlights picked out by a constant stream of light. "My main sources of inspiration were the human body, outdoor sports and urban styling," explains the colour and trim designer, Kana Watanabe. "I wanted Captur to radiate warmth and dynamism."
Power for the Captur comes from a 1.6-liter twin-turbocharged diesel engine concept with 160HP, developed from the new Energy dCi 130HP that will eventually replace the firm's current 1.9 dCi unit. The oil-burner is paired to a dual clutch EDC gearbox, and according to Renault, it emits less than 99g of CO2 per kilometer.
The Captur also comes with numerous technological advancements including a new RX2 mechanical self-locking differential and the Visio-System with a forward-facing camera mounted at the top of the windscreen providing driver-assistance functions.

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Spy Video: Renault R-Space Concept for a Compact MPV Filmed Undisguised!

Evidently, the new Captur small crossover with the removable hardtop we told you about last week won't be the only concept model from Renault to hit the showroom floors of the Geneva Salon in less than two weeks time. A Youtube user managed to scoop a completely undisguised Renault study for a rather sporty looking compact MPV in Lisbon, Portugal. Judging by the black SUV with the camera hooked above the car, it was probably there for a photo shoot.

Earlier today, German car magazine Autobild posted a handful of spy photos of the same MPV model shot again in Lisbon, claiming that the Geneva-bound model is named the Renault R-Space.
The R-Space (if that's its name) sports an eye-catching design that captures the French firm's new styling language as seen on the 2010 Dezir as well more recently on the Captur. There are no other details known about the concept at this time, but it looks like the R-Space is roughly in the same size category as the Scenic meaning it could be based on the underpinnings of the new Megane family.

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Dacia Reportedly Preparing New Seven Seater MPV for 2012

It appears that Renault's low cost brand Dacia is getting ready to expand its reach into yet another segment. After the top of the line Duster soft roader, the Romanian manufacturer is planning a seven seater MPV for next year, at least according to a report from French car journal, L'Automobile.

The magazine said the MPV will carry the Popster nameplate and will ride on a modified version of the Logan's platform. The engine lineup is said to include a 1.5 dci engine with various power outputs and 1.2-, 1.4- and 1.6 liter petrol engines. Measuring around 4.5 meters in length, the Popster is said to slot in between Dacia's own Logan MCV and Renault's larger Grand Scenic and come in at under €15,000.
And the MPV won't be the last new model for Dacia as it is reported the Romanian company is also planning its own version of the Kangoo, currently codenamed Project K97. It will feature sliding doors and a spilt tailgate, just like the Logan MCV and though we don't have a name for this light van-like vehicle yet, L`Automobile Magazine reports an estimated price of around 13.000 euros.

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