Update - Powerdrift reader Shivansh Bhatt has submitted a couple of spy shots of the Renault Captur (Renault Kaptur) test prototype filling up. The Duster-based SUV continues to be spotted around India.
May 19, 2017
Expected to go on sale during the festive season this year.
The Renault Captur was spied again testing in Chennai, courtesy Motor Vikatan. The Renault Kaptur, as it is called in Russia, is the next new Renault, and is arriving in India this year.
The Renault Kaptur rides on the Renault Duster (Dacia Duster)'s B0/Logan platform. In the Russian specification, the five-seat crossover measures 4,333 mm in length, 1,813 mm in width, 1,613 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,673 mm. It has a high ground clearance of 205 mm, which buyers looking for a Hyundai Creta alternative would appreciate.
The Renault Kaptur is offered with multiple petrol and flex-fuel (petrol-ethanol) engine options internationally, but in India, the Renault Duster's 1.5-litre H4K petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine options are expected. The 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit develops 106 PS at 5,600 rpm and 142 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, and it is offered with a 5-speed manual transmission and a continuously variable transmission.
The 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine is made in two specifications. In the less powerful specification, it produces 85 PS at 3,750 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm and sends power to the wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. In the higher specification, it is tuned to deliver 110 PS at 4,000 rpm and 245 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm and is paired to a 6-speed manual transmission.
Projector headlamps, C-shaped LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lights, rear spoiler, two-tone colour scheme, 7-inch MediaNAV touchscreen infotainment system, reverse parking camera, cruise control and automatic climate control will form the core marketable features of this car.
The Indian Renault Duster is the world's least safe specification, awarded zero stars by Global NCAP, while the version with the airbag was given just three stars. As the Renault Kaptur is a more premium product, Renault will have to take the safety issue more seriously. Besides appropriately sized airbags, Renault could make structural reinforcements to ensure a safer product and leave behind the reputation that it sells unsafe cars.
The Renault Duster is offered with only dual airbags reserved for higher variants. The Renault Kaptur should have dual-front airbags as standard and front side airbags (offered in the Russian spec) on the top-spec grade. We'd also like to see ABS, EBD and Brake Assist as standard.
Also Read: Renault India manufactures & sells the most unsafe Renault Duster specification
The Renault Kaptur is expected to go on sale in India during the festive season (October-December) this year. Its prices are expected to start at around INR 10 lakh (ex-showroom).
[Image Source: Motor Vikatan & Facebook]
