RENAULT GET BIGGER AND BETTER

When Renault launched the Captur in 2012 it didn’t have to try too hard because until then, nobody had even thought of making a compact crossover.

Today its ‘B-SUV’ as the trade now calls this type of car, has more than 20 rivals including the T-cross from Volkswagen.

The new Captur had better be good then.

For now, it comes with a choice of petrol and diesel engines – but early next year a plug-in hybrid version will also be available. That powertrain features some very clever technology including a novel gearbox. The engine likely to be most popular with UK buyers is the 1.0-litre 99bhp threecylinder petrol.

The nearest to that at the international launch I attended was the 128bhp fourcylinder TCE 130.

In the UK there will be three trim levels rising from Play, to Iconic, then the S-edition as the poshest. Our car is the Iconic model.

Our next door neighbours have a Captur, so it’s a daily sight for me. This version looks fresher and up to date but although I think it’s

Jaguar has given its already stunning F-type coupe a mid-life refresh with slightly revised styling that includes a new bonnet and a redesigned rear.

The big news is that the V6 engine has been dropped so now Jaguar’s sports car comes only with a 5.0-litre V8, and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.

The V8 comes in two states of tune –

Renault Captur Iconic Compact SUV Engine:

0-62mph:

Fuel consumption: no stunner and will probably date itself in a couple of years, it wouldn’t have been such a big seller if people didn’t like the way it looked.

Also, when you compare it to most of its opposition, its design flair certainly sets it apart. But the one with 575bhp and four-wheel drive, or a more modest 450bhp which can be had with both four wheel and rear-wheel drive.

The 2.0-litre car has 296bhp as before and is only available with the power driving the rear wheels.

Presumably JLR is keeping its powder dry by revealing the coupe before the roadster version. real leap forward comes inside. The dash is essentially the same as the one in the new Clio, and that’s a good thing.

Those coming out of the old car into this one will delight in the palpable improvement in the quality of materials. Almost all