It comes in three high-specification trim levels: S Edition, Launch Edition and R.S Line, offering customers strong performance and low running costs with a premium interior cabin to suit.
Technology that’s found in an E-TECH powertrain can be broken down into two categories; the first is the way in which energy use and recovery can be optimised, while the other is the application of an innovative multi-mode dog gearbox for the first time in a production vehicle.
Renault’s new E-TECH powertrains are designed to use the optimal energy output to recharge the battery whenever the energy created is more than the required power. Then, kinetic energy recovered during deceleration can be converted into electrical energy to recharge the battery.
The unit is paired with a multi-mode dog gearbox, which allows the vehicle to start in electric mode, significantly reducing the gap in acceleration during gear changes and thus aiding performance and ride comfort.
The Captur’s plug-in hybrid powertrain offers three levels of energy regeneration and regenerative braking:
Battery regeneration during deceleration: When the driver lifts their foot off the accelerator and the gear selector is in D (Drive), the main electric motor works as a generator by recovering kinetic energy produced by the deceleration, turning it into electrical energy that is sent back to the battery.
B Mode: To recover more energy, the gear selector can be put into B (Brake) mode by nudging the gear selector backwards, allowing one pedal driving when driving in full electric mode, increasing the level of regeneration allowed by the battery, up to an idling speed of around 4mph.
Regenerative braking: When the brake pedal is depressed, braking is triggered electrically, with mechanical braking support from the brake pads if necessary. The electric motor provides additional braking here, recovering excess energy and returning it to the battery that can be deployed again later on.
The Captur also offers decent performance, with 160hp driving the car from 0-62mph in 10.1 seconds. The engine offers 144Nm of torque, whilst the electric motors pump out 205Nm.
31 miles can be achieved on electric power alone, helping to lower the emissions to 34 g/km and achieve an MPG figure of 188.3. Helping you manage this blend of performance and economy are the Captur's three driving modes:
Pure: Pure engages all-electric mode via the screen selection or a dedicated EV button on the centre console. This is the default mode when the vehicle is first switched on, and can offer up to 31 miles of pure electric range.
MySense: The standard driving mode, MySense automatically adapts the hybrid powertrain to the driver’s inputs and driving conditions, operating in the most efficient and suitable way necessary for the situation by intelligently switching between electric power and the engine.
Sport: Sport makes use of the powertrain’s full potential, engaging the petrol engine and both electric motors for the most responsive drive when the accelerator pedal is fully depressed.
If you’re looking to save your electric miles for more urban journeys, a dedicated E-Save function is available too. By selecting this mode, the system limits the use of the electric motor and uses the petrol engine to power the vehicle. This saves at least 40% of battery charge that can be used at another time.
The Captur is also well equipped with features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, 360 degree camera, Lane Departure Warining and Traffic Sign Recognition. On The Road pricing will start from a little under £31,000 for the entry-level S Edition trim, rising to £31,345 with the BOSE sound pack and finally £31,495 for the Launch Edition trim.
