In fact, we prefer the fabric/leatherette combo on this RXT variant, considering how much more suited it is for a climate like ours. We’re sure you wouldn’t really miss the all-LED headlamps, or the leather upholstery. Since the petrol engine isn’t available in the top-spec ‘Platine’ variant, there’s some equipment missing. It’s properly equipped too - automatic climate control, cruise control, automatic headlamps, a touchscreen infotainment system - it’s all there. It turns quite a few heads, and has all the big car elements in place, including projector headlamps, daytime running lamps, 17-inch alloy wheels as well as a dual-tone paint scheme. remains pretty much identical to the Captur we’ve known for a little over a year. It’s more suited to relaxed drives in and around the city. Clearly then, the Captur isn’t for anyone looking at a fast SUV for highway mile munching. But what raises an eyebrow are the in-gear acceleration figures - 30-80kmph in third gear takes an additional 3.61 seconds, whereas 40-100kmph in fourth is a yawn-inducing 8.6 seconds slower. There’s just a second separating it from the diesel-powered Captur in a 0-100kmph sprint. We’re sure the two-pedal setup would’ve made the Captur a better city-slicker, as well as a conscious sipper on the highway.īefore we sign this section off, let’s take a quick look at performance figures. For something that’s billed as a premium product, the absolute lack of an automatic option doesn’t seem right. Where’s the automatic transmission, Renault? The more affordable Duster sports a CVT even. Bear in mind, there’s no Eco Mode here, so keeping a light right foot is the only way to keep your wallet fat.Īlso, since we’re on the subject. On test, we managed to eke out 15.79kmpl from the four-pot on the highway. The engine is ticking over at 3100rpm, which does take a toll on fuel efficiency. At triple-digit speeds, you desperately feel the need for a sixth gear. Most of this is down to the 5-speed gearbox. Speaking of which, we expected the Captur petrol to be in its element out on the highway. If you’re stuck in a jam often, expect the figures to drop down to single digits.Įven in fifth gear, you can drop down to as low as under 30kmph - really handy on our unpredictable highways. That is slightly better than what we expected it to do. There’s a hint of protest from the engine, sure, but it quickly gets past that. You can drop down to single-digit speeds in third gear (say when you’re slowing down for a speedbreaker), and simply step on it to make progress. That said, it does manage to take the edge off city driving very well. If you enjoy driving in a calm manner, and aren’t really bothered with how quickly you can overtake the car in front of you, the Captur will suit your style. Sure, progress isn’t snap-your-finger quick, but it definitely feels a lot more relaxing compared to the annoying turbo lag and the sudden surge of torque of the diesel engine. Second, the petrol motor doesn’t feel bogged down at any point in time. And while the travel is still longish, the clutch bites in early, which ensures you don’t fiddle with the pedal too often inside the city. It’s noticeably lighter to use compared to the diesel’s. Start driving and it’s immediately apparent that this is going to be a lot easier to drive compared to its diesel counterpart. It reminds us of Honda petrol engines of yore. It’s only when you really push it towards the redline do you hear the raspy exhaust (which we must admit sounds quite sweet). Couple that with the well-insulated cabin, and you barely ever hear the engine. It’s as refined as petrol motors get, making nothing more than a mellow purr at idle. First impressions of this motor are super positive. The Captur petrol gets a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine that makes a healthy 106PS of power, and 142Nm of torque. Question is - is it just that? Is it just a variant on paper that’s meant to lure you into the showroom? Or does it give you enough reasons to have it parked in your garage? We spend some time with the petrol-powered Captur to find answers. This was the one that gave the SUV a mouthwatering entry price tag. That said, we’ve all but sampled the petrol cousin. One tends to gloss over the flaws in the product over time, because it is a mechanically sound, rugged and a proven, reliable package. Does it do enough to warrant attention among strong petrol-powered rivals?Īfter driving Renault’s Captur diesel for countless kilometres, if there was one key takeaway, it was that it grows on you. The Captur’s petrol avatar has ducked under the radar for nearly a year.
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