Captured is a good thing
LAUNCH NEWS/ Renault SA has taken the knife to its Captur crossover and given its flagship petrol more zest, writes Lerato Matebese
The Renault Captur has done wonders for the French marque. Since its international launch in 2013 it has sold 800,000 units globally. It is perhaps not surprising as we found it to be up to the task when we reviewed the Dynamique EDC petrol model after its launch locally in 2015.
Other than some plastic bits in the cabin that were too hard and a lacklustre automatic gearbox, it delivered handsomely everywhere else. Two years into its local life cycle, the Captur is receiving some key updates.
The front end has been spruced up with C-shaped LED daytime running lights and LED headlights, while the rear also gets C-shaped LED lights. New 17-inch alloy wheels have been decked out on the Dynamique models, while skid plates have been introduced to the front and rear valances.
In the cabin, contact areas are now offered with plusher, softtouch materials, which make a big difference imparting the look and feel of a vehicle in a higher class, such as the Kadjar. Centre stage now is a seven-inch touch-enabled infotainment screen, as in the updated Clio, replete with navigation.
The 1.2l engine in the flagship Dynamique has been given more teeth and chews out 88kW and 190Nm through a six-speed manual gearbox or the six-speed EDC automatic. It is essentially the same engine as that used in the Clio GT-Line. The fantastic 1.5dCi engine that was available in the limited Sunset edition models is now also available and makes 66kW and 220Nm through a five-speed manual transmission.
You can still get the 66kW and 135Nm petrol and that engine is available in the entrylevel