Geneva show: Renault teases Captur crossover

RENAULT has released a solitary teaser pic of a mystery new addition to its global range – almost certainly a small crossover based on the new Clio.

Tipped to be called the Captur, Renault’s rival for the Nissan Juke will be previewed in full this Friday, January 11, before appearing for the first time in the metal at the Geneva motor show in March.

As well as competing against the Juke from global alliance partner Nissan, the ‘Captur’ will be aimed squarely at a range of forthcoming models such as the Peugeot 2008, Holden Trax and Ford EcoSport in what is shaping up to be the boom segment of 2013.

The reveal will come exactly two years after Renault signalled its intention to broaden its relatively meagre SUV stocks by revealing the wild Captur two-door crossover concept at the 2011 Geneva show.

While the production version won’t share a great deal with that two-door prototype (aside from the lurid orange paint scheme), the first teaser image hints at front-end styling similar to the smaller Clio, which is set for Australian release by the third quarter of 2013.

More details will come to light later this week, but expect the ‘Captur’ to use the same engine line-up as the new Clio, including a version of that car’s 68kW/135Nm turbocharged three-cylinder petrol, a 90kW/190Nm turbo 1.2 petrol and a 68kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbo-diesel.

As GoAuto reported from Europe last October, the B-segment crossover is expected to be front-wheel drive-only, to minimise weight, differentiating it from the upper-spec Juke which is available with all-wheel drive.

It is too early to confirm for certain whether the car will come to Australia, although Renault Australia corporate communications manager Emily Ambrosy told GoAuto that the company’s local arm was keen to bring it Down Under.

“We’re very excited by the prospect of it (Captur) and we believe it has potential,” she said. “Like many other international markets, downsizing is a popular trend here.”“At this stage it is unconfirmed for Australia but we certainly believe it has potential here.”