Renault is innovating and is now offering a rechargeable hybrid version of its emblematic SUV, the Renault Captur Hybrid. To launch this new E-Tech hybrid version, Renault and Publicis Groupe have launched a film directed by Katia Lewkowicz (Grand Bazar). The film focuses on the brand’s historical links with cycling between 1978 and 1985. It focuses on the emotions of a former athlete of the team who wants to relive the sensations of the race to commemorate his youth.
General information about the Renault Captur Hybrid
The big news for the 2020 Renault Captur Hybrid was the arrival of electrified versions. First a plug-in hybrid and soon after a conventional hybrid that came to fight with the Asian representatives of the category. We can notice that the Renault Capture Hybrid inherits the same configuration as the Clio E-Tech.
It is controlled by a multi-mode automatic gearbox. The non-rechargeable battery is smaller than the battery in the Captur Plug in Hybrid and is recharged during deceleration and braking. Renault Captur Hybrid uses a conventional hybrid system that does not need to be plugged in.
It has a clutchless gearbox that allows up to 15 combinations. But also three driving programs and two transmission operating modes.
The car doesn’t shine in terms of performance, but it’s very agile around town. There are few changes to the exterior or interior, with a comfortable interior and a sliding bench seat. Trunk space ranges from 305 to 1,335 liters, 44 liters more than the Renault Captur Plug In Hybrid.
During use, the driver can select several driving modes. One of them, “B” mode, allows the driver to enhance the use of a more powerful recovery system. The model range offers three trim levels, called Intens, Zen and R.S. Line, the latter with slightly sportier styling.
Presentation of the Renault Captur Hybrid
The Renault Captur Plug in Hybrid E-Tech has its own unique characteristics.
Features
The Renault Capture Hybrid uses a 1.6-liter engine combined with two electric motors. The first is capable of driving the wheels. And the second, which is actually an integrated starter-generator, is used to smooth out the gaps between gear changes.
This is the same configuration that already impressed us in the Clio. The engine produces 138 hp and 144 Nm on its own, but the electric motor delivers 250 Nm. Their combined efforts allow the car to go from 0 to 62 mph in 10.6 seconds, while emitting 114 g/km of CO2.
Its 160 hp E-TECH hybrid engine and high-capacity battery pack with a weight of only 105 kg give the vehicle a long range.
This allows it to travel up to 50 km in all-electric mode at a speed of 135 km/h in combined cycle (WLTP). It also allows up to 65 km in the urban cycle (WLTP City).
As a plug-in hybrid, the battery of the Renault Captur Hybrid is rechargeable. And the car can be driven in electric mode without consuming fuel.
Full recharging of the battery takes between 3 and 5 hours, depending on the type of plug used. However, running out of battery power will never be a problem, as the car works like any other hybrid model.
Engineering
Engineering plays an important role in this car, as it features a unique and revolutionary hybrid solution that is the subject of over 150 patents. This solution is based on a “parallel-series” hybrid architecture.
It offers a maximum of combinations of operation between several engines and minimizes CO2 emissions during operation. Part of the hybrid technology of Renault Captur hybrid is also used in Renault’s F1 car.
That’s why the Renault Capture Hybrid is equipped with a hybrid device reminiscent of Renault’s F1 cars. This means a new generation 1.6-liter gasoline engine specifically adapted to hybrid functions and two electric motors. One is purely electric and the other acts as a high voltage starter (HSG style).
Although these engines are not designed for dynamic and sporty driving, their 160 hp give the car a lot of power. It’s a very agile vehicle on the road, and its suspension provides a great sense of grip. You feel like you are in control of the car at all times.
As far as space is concerned, it’s true that there’s a lot of room inside. But not so much in the trunk. With the battery at hand, the cargo volume has been reduced from 536 liters to 379 liters.
Multi-Sense Pure
Driving the Renault Captur plug in Hybrid is very personal and depends on you. That’s why it is equipped with the Multi-Sense Pure system that allows you to switch to different modes.
One is electric (as long as the battery has enough energy and allows it), another is Sport (to use all the available electric power).
The last is E-Save mode, which limits the use of the electric motor and favors the use of the internal combustion engine. This maintains the recharge reserve (minimum 40% of the battery) in order to switch to electric driving when you want.
Battery
One of the keys to getting the most out of the Renault Captur Hybrid is to make the most of its battery capacity. This will allow you to maintain very low fuel consumption. What is always 100% electric is starting.
It does this with remarkable acceleration in the city and on suburban roads (where you often have to stop and accelerate constantly). It also does it on fast roads thanks to the electricity you get when you press the gas pedal. The driving experience is very similar to that of a ZOE.
The price
Pricing for the Renault Captur Plug in Hybrid facelifted starts at €21,181, for a Renault Capture hybrid PHEV 160hp. This includes financing and MOVES III discounts. You will note the possibility of obtaining state aid and subsidies.
To opt for a well-equipped Renault Captur Hybrid, you should choose at least the Intens, which includes air conditioning, fog lights, 7-inch screen, etc. Navigation, 17″ wheels, automatic climate control, parking and rain sensors are standard on the Zen trim.
The Renault Captur Plug in Hybrid is based on the Renault Clio. Although its raised body gives it the appearance of an SUV, it has been designed solely and exclusively for the road. It will not have an all-wheel drive option.
Its price is higher than that of a Clio, but its best assets are more space in the cabin and trunk. The versions of the new range are equipped with LED headlights, lane departure warning, traffic sign reader, pre-collision warning, etc.
New Renault Captur plug in Hybrid 2021
As we have seen above, Renault has made an innovation in the Captur Hybrid. It is the more reinforced and sophisticated version: the new Renault Captur Hybrid 2021. Let’s find out together if the new Renault captur Hybrid technology is a winner in this SUV.
Verdict on the Renault Captur Hybrid 2021
The Captur E-Tech Hybrid is another impressive version of the SUV. It offers many possibilities for comfortable electric driving in the city, without the extra cost and complexity of a plug-in system. It is not as practical as the regular Renault Captur Hybrid.
Nevertheless, it remains one of the few small SUVs that can be used as a family car and in this version, it is effective.
It’s a benchmark SUV, thanks to its practicality, solid driving dynamics and nicely finished interior. It has been offered with a choice of gasoline or plug-in hybrid powertrains, but now there is a new hybrid model to fill the middle ground. Inside, the Captur is like any other Renault Captur automatic.
That is, it’s comfortable and well finished, with standard Renault instrumentation and a good infotainment system.
But put the E-Tech Hybrid in gear and you can drive away in complete silence. You would, if the car wasn’t programmed to emit a low “EV hum” when running solely on electricity.
Technical configuration of the Captur E-tech hybrid 2021
The battery at the heart of the system is only 1.2 kWh. So don’t think you’re going to make entire morning commutes without some combustion engine activity. Around town, the Renault Capture Hybrid behaves like a full EV (or at least a decent, fully charged PHEV).
You can try to force its hand by selecting the “Pure” mode. But it’s best to let the car read your driving style and take a smooth, unhurried approach.
Do this and you’ll probably be surprised at how much time the gas engine spends idling. As a result, you should get over 50mpg on city trips. This is definitely one of those cars that, unlike conventional models, will be closer to its official fuel consumption (56.5mpg) in the city than on the road.
The transmission, and its ability to handle switching between electric and gasoline power is not without its faults, but then again, the Renault Captur Hybrid is more likely to get nervous if you do.
Make a sudden and dramatic acceleration demand and you’ll notice a little hopping as the engine kicks in, though once it does, the engine itself is very smooth. If you learn the system, you’ll find the transition from pure electric power to internal combustion engine power difficult to detect.
Renault Captur Hybrid E-tech 2021 : the advantages of this option
Overall, the 2021 Captur Hybrid doesn’t really get out of balance on the faster roads. Indeed, the thrust of the engine itself is sufficient to maintain reasonably fast progress on roads and highways.
In addition, the comfortable setup of the Renault Capture Hybrid E-Tech has not been compromised by the more complex powertrain.
The steering has a nice weight to it, and in general there is a solid balance between comfort and control. This car isn’t as nimble as a Ford Puma, but in some respects, the Renault Captur Hybrid E-Tech is a bit more accomplished overall.
The trunk of this car offers a decent volume of 326 liters. You can slide the second row forward to increase this volume to 440 liters. This can be possible if you are willing to sacrifice some legroom in the back.
The 2021 Renault Captur Plug In Hybrid is available in all three trim levels of the Renault Captur Hybrid. These are Iconic, S Edition and RS Line. We would choose the S Edition.
This edition has a seven-inch screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 18-inch wheels. It also has automatic lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and cruise control.
Renault Captur Hybrid: which version for which use ?
Launched last year in a plug-in hybrid version, the Renault Capture Hybrid is now available in a more conventional E-Tech hybrid version.
After the plug-in hybrid E-Tech in 2020, the compact SUV will appear in a more conventional hybrid version with a configuration directly derived from the Clio E-Tech. Not sure which version to choose? We’ll help you decide!
A choice that depends on the use and the charging possibilities
Your choice will depend on how you will use the car and, most importantly, on your ability to recharge. It’s not a good idea to choose a Captur Plug in Hybrid if you can’t recharge the battery regularly.
Ideally, you should have an outlet at home to charge the car overnight. Without installing a wall power bank, you can recharge the battery in a simple household outlet, which takes about five hours.
If that’s a possibility for you, the Renault Captur Plug In Hybrid is probably the best option. With regular recharging, you can use it for daily commuting. All while retaining the versatility of a hybrid car for longer trips.
Conversely, if you don’t have easy access to a recharging solution, a simple hybrid would be a better choice. If long-distance travel is part of your daily routine, there are also questions to ask.
Once its battery runs out, the Captur Plug in Hybrid loses much of its appeal. On the highway, it could even consume a little more than the classic hybrid version, given the extra weight of the batteries (+200 kg).
What is the difference between the Captur Plug-in Hybrid and the Captur Renault Hybrid E-Tech ?
Technically speaking, the architecture is the same in both versions. In both cases, it is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with 91 hp. The whole thing is connected to two electric motors. One acts as a starter – the alternative.
This combination develops up to 145 hp on the hybrid version and 160 hp on the plug-in version. In terms of acceleration, the performance is almost identical. The Renault Captur Plug in hybrid accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.1 seconds, while the hybrid version does the same in 10.6 seconds.
Ultimately, it is the battery that makes the biggest difference. While the conventional Renault Captur Hybrid uses a small 1.2 kWh battery pack. The plug-in hybrid version reaches 10.4 kWh. This allows an electric range of 50 km in mixed cycle and even 65 km in urban use.
As far as fuel consumption is concerned, the Captur Plug-in Hybrid is the big winner. At least on paper. Because the 1.3 l/100 km promised by the WLTP cycle is still conditional on regular recharging.
In terms of design, there are no major differences. The two hybrid versions of the Renault Captur Hybrid are distinguished from the classic combustion versions by some specific E-Tech markings.
Although the dimensions are the same as for the other engines in the range, the size of the trunk is reduced thanks to the battery. The space is limited to 340 liters for the hybrid version and 309 liters for the Renault Captur plug in hybrid version.
A difference of nearly 5,000 euros between the two versions
In terms of range structure, both versions offer a fairly extensive catalog with five trim levels. The entry-level Zen model of the Captur Hybrid is priced at €27,600. This is a difference of €4,650 compared to the plug-in version, which starts at €32,250.
Professionals will also be able to benefit from a total exemption from the TVS, which represents an annual saving of €181 on the current scale.
Conclusion
Whether you choose one version or another, you will have at your disposal a powerful means of locomotion. You can count on a quality product. The Renault group offers a set of options that improve the comfort but also the safety of the vehicle.
Thus, the Renault Captur Hybrid will provide all that the user can expect from it. If the price is an obstacle, you should know that aids and subsidies have been put in place. And this is to help households finance their clean vehicles.
| To help you make the right choice, OnMyBike regularly writes articles on hybrid and electric cars |