Photo: Guido ten Brink / SB-Medien
The Renault Captur is the most popular model of the small crossover segment, which grew last year by over a third. To ensure that the 2020 model continues to be the king of Europe, the French are planning to offer it with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
There was a time, not long ago, when Europeans only had one or two hybrid models they could afford. But now, cars that can run purely on electricity are all over the place. You could say that Renault has been beaten to the punch by the Koreans - the Kia Niro PHEV, soon to be joined by a Hyundai Kona sister car.
Both of those have a 1.6-liter engine, which is ironically also what the Renault Captur will boast. Automobile Magazine claims it has the specs of the Captur PHEV months before its actual release in early 2020. The fact that it boasts a 1.6-liter gasolineengine should come as no surprise since the Clio hybrid model (same platform) has one as well.
But the total output of 160 HP comes as a bit of a surprise, especially when it's mathematically divided between the 90 HP of the four-cylinder and the 70 HP provided by an electric motor. Also new is the battery, which at 9.8 kWh is relatively large for the segment (official number, not leaked).
Using no fuel whatsoever, the Captur PHEV is said to travel for up to 45 km (28 miles) and at speeds as high as 135 km/h (83 mph). For the record, the Kia Niro has an 8.9 kWh battery and an electric motor pushing 60 HP. Total output: 139 HP and 265 Nm of torque (195 lb-ft).
Another key difference is the gearbox, as Kia decided to use a DCT for a more normal driving experience. Meanwhile, Renault might have a CVT, which means the more powerful Captur could actually be slower to accelerate.
A lot is at play here, since the French are likely to install the same PHEV system on the Megane facelift as well as a few Nissan or Mitsubishi models.
Both of those have a 1.6-liter engine, which is ironically also what the Renault Captur will boast. Automobile Magazine claims it has the specs of the Captur PHEV months before its actual release in early 2020. The fact that it boasts a 1.6-liter gasolineengine should come as no surprise since the Clio hybrid model (same platform) has one as well.
But the total output of 160 HP comes as a bit of a surprise, especially when it's mathematically divided between the 90 HP of the four-cylinder and the 70 HP provided by an electric motor. Also new is the battery, which at 9.8 kWh is relatively large for the segment (official number, not leaked).
Using no fuel whatsoever, the Captur PHEV is said to travel for up to 45 km (28 miles) and at speeds as high as 135 km/h (83 mph). For the record, the Kia Niro has an 8.9 kWh battery and an electric motor pushing 60 HP. Total output: 139 HP and 265 Nm of torque (195 lb-ft).
Another key difference is the gearbox, as Kia decided to use a DCT for a more normal driving experience. Meanwhile, Renault might have a CVT, which means the more powerful Captur could actually be slower to accelerate.
A lot is at play here, since the French are likely to install the same PHEV system on the Megane facelift as well as a few Nissan or Mitsubishi models.
Google News