Test, Renault Captur E-Tech Hybrid: the 20 km / l hybrid crossover

Test, Renault Captur E-Tech Hybrid

The French manufacturer Renault introduced in 2021 the Full Hybrid variant of the famous Renault Captur, already listed in the Plug-in version; the recent introduction is known as the Renault Captur E-Tech 145 and is powered by a 1.6 l 145 hp engine combined with two electric motors; the range in fact offered a 1.3 TCe Mild Hybrid version and a 1.6 E-Tech plug-in, therefore a Full Hybrid version was missing which has finally arrived and shares many aspects with the smaller sister Clio and the larger Arkana, already tested by us recently.

The engine is really noteworthy and under the hood there is a 1.6 petrol 94 hp combined with the two electric motors; the main one is 49 hp and generates traction on the wheels while the second, 20 hp, serves as a starter motor and to synchronize the transmission in the various modes. The gearbox is very particular, in fact it has only four ratios and only comes into operation when moving at high speeds; with limited journeys, in fact, only the electric mode and the 1.2 kWh battery, which can be recharged automatically during regenerative braking, are used. Single pedal mode is also available, with some compromises.

Federicovecchio.com Federicovecchio.com Driving the Renault Captur Full Hybrid gearbox can catch you unprepared because at times it seems to keep the revs quite high even if consumption is always contained. When driving, the fluidity and general quietness of the vehicle is definitely appreciated, the steering is also sincere and well calibrated. In city driving we appreciated the automatic alternation between the heat engine and the electric motors which allowed us to have low consumption in every situation, even reaching 20km / l as a general average; There is also a driving mode selector that allows you to enter different profiles including the sport one which, however, you will hardly find yourself using in everyday life since there are no measurable differences in delivery, but only the hardening of the steering.

The car we tested was finished in a beautiful color called Blu Iron which manages to enhance the shapes of this city crossover; as soon as you enter the passenger compartment you notice the presence of bright red stitching, details and finishes, this together with a sportier steering wheel are characteristics of the R.S Line version that manages to give more grit to the whole. The assemblies are well done and creaks are not heard even on uneven ground, the presence of physical controls for the air conditioning is always welcome, especially if they are as well integrated as on Renault. The infotainment is managed through a 9 "screen in vertical orientation (optional from € 300.00) as an alternative to the standard 7" in horizontal orientation.

Federicovecchio.com Federicovecchio.com The entertainment system it is intuitive even if it lacks speed at times, especially with Apple CarPlay which, although it can be used safely, could be slightly more reactive; through the central screen it is also possible to use the various cameras on the car, Captur is equipped with numerous cameras to help the driver in maneuvers, in fact there is also a front camera which is very useful in parking maneuvers even if the resolution is decidedly low . The machine is also equipped with the automatic parking assistance system, so it will be sufficient to choose the type of parking to be carried out using the on-screen selector and the car will proceed to execute the command.

The internal habitability is of all respects, managing to comfortably accommodate four adults, even 5 in an emergency at the expense, of course, of the comfort of the rear seat occupants; the trunk has a flat load threshold and can hold up to 305 liters, 115 less than the light hybrid versions due to the battery placed in the rear of the car even if, it must be said, the spare wheel is still present under the floor of the trunk.

Federicovecchio.com The price of this car is € 25,750 in the basic version called Zen, whose equipment includes manual air conditioning, full LED headlights, emergency braking, Cruise control , pedestrian recognition, lane maintainer, keyless entry and electronically foldable mirrors; the car we tested is the R.S Line which at the base price of € 28,950 includes automatic climate control, rear view camera, front parking sensors and aesthetic improvements such as sports bumpers. The specimen tested also featured the € 950.00 Tech Pack which includes 360 ° cameras and "Easy Park Assist" automatic parking assistance.