Renault Captur 1.3 TCe 2019: Small SUV, Large engine

Renault Captur 2019

When you are first in the class there is an unwritten rule: forbidden to be content. At Renault Captur it is not enough to constantly be the best-selling foreign B-SUV isince 2015 , with just under 30,000 units delivered in 2018: despite being almost at the end of the career, the French crossover wants to show that it still has a lot to offer.

This is why we came to Sicily to try out the big news of the Captur range . A petrol engine, perfect if we consider the climate of constant uncertainty that prevails on Diesel cars. Not just any petrol, but a brand new engine developed by the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi alliance in collaboration with Daimler . The same engine we find, with slight differences, on cars like the new Mercedes A-Class.

Renault Capture 1.3

In fact, this 1.3 TCe 4 cylinder is interesting for other reasons: first because it offers a respectable power for a B-SUV (we are talking about 130 or 150 hp ), second because it is made with some technologies worthy of cars much more exclusive . We are talking about the coating technology of the Bore Spray Coating cylinders - that is the internal coating of the cylinders through a spray applied with plasma technology - used for the first time on the sporty Nissan GT-R . A solution that reduces friction (while leaving a microporosity to "intercept" the oils), optimizing thermal conductivity and improving efficiency.

Opening the bonnet we are faced with an ordered engine compartment, which hides some technical choices such as the direct injection of petrol with a pressure of 250 bar, the new combustion chamber with optimization of the air / fuel mixture, and Dual Variable technology Timing Camshaft , which opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves according to the load applied to the accelerator.

And again, there is the particulate filter for petrol engines, an element with a volume of 1.3 liters integrated with a 0.5-liter catalyst , made of cordierite (aluminum, iron and magnesium cyclosilicate), able to eliminate around 90% of the polluting emissions produced by combustion. In terms of reliability, this filter in Renault ensures a life equal to the life cycle of the engine. Do not miss the turbo with electronically controlled wastegate to reduce the time of entry into temperature of the catalyst, while from the design point of view a Delta-shaped head can integrate exhaust manifolds, reducing the overall size of the powertrain.

Renault Capture 2019

Solutions that are appreciated for the excellent response of the engine at any runtime : we have a torque of 220 Nm at 2,250 rpm for the 130 hp and 250 Nm for the 150 hp version (same rpm). Ready and elastic at low revs (most of the torque is already delivered from 1,600 rpm ) and linear at highs, this 1.3 likes because it offers a nice brio in relation to the low mass of Captur (1,304 kg, 1,321 kg with EDC) . The engine is really very quiet and goes well with the 6-speed manual transmission, equipped with precise grafts, well-spaced ratios, a soft clutch and a long-running lever the right (we're not talking about a sport). In terms of performance, the TCe gives the best of itself over 3,000 rpm, with a good extension that runs out at around 5,000 rpm.

Not bad overall trim: the proven version (TCe 130 hp manual, the only combination available for this step of power) mounted the 16-inch alloy wheels with raised shoulder and the absorption of disconnections between the streets of the center of Catania was very good . Even the suspension, despite the simplicity (McPherson front and twisting rear) offer a satisfactory calibration, even when trying to force a little 'hand. In that case, the frame responds well ensuring a good support (moreover, the starting point Clio is a guarantee), and the only limit is represented by the excessive shoulder of the circles, which fail in this way to "attack" the asphalt. The steering load is also good

On the 150 hp TCe version, it is possible to request the 6-speed EDC double clutch transmission , which we have briefly tested: if the 130 hp version is the most "rational" choice, with excellent performance, the 150p powerstep CV offers that little bit more to take some satisfactions. The supply, however, is always fluid and regular: there is no "kick on the back", so to speak. The real added value, needless to say, is the change, which is able to intervene by going to "partially cover" those "holes" in the delivery of the couple present before 1,600 laps. The changes are fluid and the control unit has a good intelligence in understanding the intentions of the driver. 

There was talk of efficiency, an important issue since we are talking about a rather performance engine: Renault declares a consumption of 5.9 liters of petrol for 130 hp and 6 liters for 150 hp (in our test, going "happy", we found a consumption of between 7.5 and 8 liters / 100 km), with CO2 emissions of 134 or 137 g / km, the car is therefore free from the ecotax | Ecotax, Ecobonus and incentives for electric cars, scooters and hybrids .

Renault Captur Interior

Along with the new engines comes the Sport Edition MY19 , the heart of the range with a range that includes full LED headlamps, two-tone color, alloy wheels of 16, TEP leather steering wheel, easy Life drawer, camera with rear parking sensors , Smart Nav Evolution with 7 '' touch screen and Radio DAB. If you want more features (including Android Auto) you can choose the SportEdition2, which adds R-LINK Evolution infotainment, Easy Access System II (keyless), front parking sensors, automatic climate control, fabric upholstery and TEP leather, front and rear SKI and 17 "black diamond alloy wheels. Together, Sport Edition and Sport Edition2 cover 90% of the Renault Captur range.

For the rest, we are faced with the usual Captur, with the defects that we know - namely the lack of the most recent ADAS (there is only the blind spot control on the Initiale Paris) - and the many advantages, starting from the versatile interior ( removable seats, Easy Life drawer in the dashboard and sliding rear bench) and an up-to-date design , thanks also to the wide customization. Details such as the two-tone Be-Style hue and the full LED headlights, which previously cost 1,000 euros, are now standard on the MY19 Sport Edition with a customer benefit of 700 euros.

In short, the years go by but Captur continues to improve, today with an engine that surprises for performance and fluidity. The competition is however very fierce, starting with the latest Seat Arona with the 1.5 TSI of 150 hp. The starting price of 21,300 euros (TCe 130 manual Sport Edition MY19), and even more the list of the TCe 150 EDC SportEdition MY19 (24.800 euros) after all, is very close to that of the Spanish. If you were to buy a compact SUV with 130/150 hp, which one would you prefer? Seat Arona vs Renault Captur, which to choose?