Renault just released the Captur at the Sao Paulo Auto Show. But it's not the model you know from the French automaker.
In fact, this looks exactly like the Kaptur with a K that was launched in Russia earlier this year. What's the difference? Well, the Captur is based on the Clio 4, while the other one is derived from the Dacia Duster and is a little bit older in terms of tech.
Stylistically, it's got the same thing going on as the regular European model. But the front grille is a lot different, featuring a C-shaped feature that combines daytime running lights and chrome.
Didn't they already have a Renault Duster in South America? What's the point of making another Renault version just to charge extra or look fancy? The engines seem pretty similar as well.
The base Captur will have a 1.6 SCe with 120 horsepower. That sound a lot like the Nissan 1.6-liter engine, the new one that just went into the Duster, but capable or running on ethanol.
The base engine can be connected to either a manual gearbox or a CVT. Just like the Russian Kaptur model, they're also giving this a 2.0-liter as well. It's available with all-wheel drive, something that you cannot have on France's little crossover.
If the specs are the same, the Brazilian Captur measures 4,333mm, making it 210mm longer. But the reason why the offered it in Brazil instead of the French car is the impressive ground clearance of 204mm. Not every road in South America is paved to perfection.
The interior is nothing like the Duster. It's got the funky double-gate cluster of the Clio and an R-Link system. It's not that colorful, but the exterior compensates.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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