Captur defines the simple, sensuous and warm style that will be progressively
extended to future Renault car designs. "Captur is a fun and sporty crossover,
ideal for a young couple about to discover the world", explains Director of
Design, Laurens Van den Acker. "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," adds Axel Breun, Director of
concept cars.
At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault revealed its new
brand identity which puts people at the forefront of its concerns. The new,
ambition design strategy that resulted from this is founded on different stages
of the human life cycle with each phase taking the form of a specific concept
car. The first, the two-seater DeZir, expressed 'falling in love', the passion
present at the beginning of any new adventure. Now Renault Captur, which will
debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, addresses the second phase of this cycle,
that of two people exploring the world around them.
A Crossover That
is All Muscle in Motion
In its proportions and fluid curves, Captur
evokes movement and lightness, yet at the same time displaying powerful and
muscular all-terrain cues. Just as with DeZir, angles, corners and lines have
given way to sensuous and natural forms. For the exterior designer, Julio
Lozano, the main sources of inspiration were athletes and radical sports. "In
designing Captur, I began with the image of a sprinter on the starting blocks,
his muscles tensed, and the energy unleashed when the starting pistol is fired,"
he explains. The design also references equipment such as helmets, gloves and
other protective gear used in radical sports, combining high technology with
sophistication and lightness.
Captur adopts the new frontal identity
first presented by DeZir. As with this, the identity has as its centerpiece a
large Renault logo, set vertically against a dark surface so as to stand out as
clearly as possible. Substantial, matt-finished wings reinforce the design's
visual strength. LEDs relay the direction indicator signal in a wave effect
running the whole length of the vehicle.
Captur does more than simply
stir the emotions: it is also a practical and versatile vehicle. It is fitted
with a hard convertible top which, once removed, reveals a carbon fiber
framework. Captur can thus transform itself from a coupé to a convertible, from
an urban vehicle to an off-roader, while its overall sporty appeal is reinforced
by its butterfly doors and big tires fitted to 22-inch black and white rims.
With its bodywork finished in a spicy shade of orange, Captur takes its cue from
the red championed by DeZir. This color appears in a variety of different shades
on materials both inside and outside the vehicle.
The Interior
The orange theme has been carried over to the cabin which also 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 color and trim designer, Kana Watanabe. "I wanted Captur to radiate
warmth and dynamism."
The interior of Captur is designed to be both
welcoming and occupant-friendly. The impression of lightness expressed by the
exterior is dominant here, too, with the front seats attached to the centre
console as if suspended in mid air. The passenger compartment is restrained and
pure, with no superfluous equipment. Innovative and ingenious materials have
been employed, allowing the designers to play with light and optical effects.
The center console, door casings and dashboard are formed using a translucent
material rather like a second skin. At the front of the cabin, this includes a
glimpse of the high-tech fiber ropes, luminescent in places, which have been
used for most of the passenger compartment. "The whole of the interior is
designed around this network of stretched elastic ropes which bring to mind the
worlds of sailing or mountain climbing, They use graphics and light to bring
rhythm to the overall design and reinforce the dynamic feel of the vehicle while
also ensuring a lighter feel inside the cabin," explains the interior designer,
Magali Gouraud-Borgers.
The aluminum pedals, carbon bucket-style front
seats and steering wheel trimmed in grey textured leather reassert the sporting
side of the design, in keeping with the original brief.
The rear of the
car is a multi-purpose area, with the deck lined with three layers of rope:
- The stretched cords are laid out in a way that allows items to be
secured, thus providing a reconfigurable storage area;
- They also provide an opportunity for relaxation thanks to the supple
elasticity of the structure. This is an entirely new type of comfort, a new
form of seating akin to a hammock.
- Finally, it is possible to pull seatbacks from the side of the car to
provide two full-sized rear seats, complete with seat belts and head
restraints. This enables Captur to accommodate four passengers.
Strong on Performance and Light on Fuel
Captur makes use of the
Energy dCi 160 twin-turbo engine concept, developed from the new Energy dCi 130
that will eventually replace the 1.9 dCi. Downsizing is a key element in
Renault's strategy to meet its declared objective of being Europe's leading
automaker for low CO2 emissions. The range of electric vehicles will run
alongside internal-combustion engined models that combine performance with
reduced fuel consumption. The Energy dCi 160 twin-turbo fits perfectly within
this strategy. It produces 160 hp from a capacity of 1.6 liters - that's a
specific power output of 100 hp per liter. Peak torque of 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) is
available from as low as 1,750 rpm, giving powerful acceleration from low revs,
as well as refined performance under all driving conditions. Paired with a dual
clutch EDC gearbox, this driveline promises genuinely enjoyable driving with CO2
emissions of less than 99g per kilometer.
Captur's performance is further
enhanced by the RX2, a novel system that improves traction at low speeds. Should
one of the two driven wheels lose traction, this entirely new mechanical
self-locking differential transfers all or part of the engine's torque to the
wheel with the most grip. Driving on slippery roads and tracks thus remains
smooth and effortless.
Captur also marks the debut of the Visio-System,
an innovation that uses a forward-facing camera mounted at the top of the
windscreen to provide driver-assistance functions. This new technology is able
to embed synthesised images into real-time images of the road ahead displayed on
a central screen; this is the principle of augmented reality, aiming to enhance
the driver's perception of the external world by superimposing purpose-designed
elements. The system helps reduce driving stress, for a relaxed, reassuring
drive.
The new design strategy takes as its basis the bonds that build
between the brand and its customers as they go through the many experiences of
life: when they fall in love, begin to explore the world, start a family, work,
take time off to play, and gain wisdom. This goes hand in hand with the
definition of a new human design language inspired by the three keywords that
guide the brand's future vision: simple, sensuous and warm. In keeping with this
strategy, concept cars will be instrumental in putting shape to this vision,
paving the way for a product plan featuring a clear and consistent range of
models.