Although I have heard from a couple of sources that the all-new Nissan Juke is a hoot to drive, its looks are on the severe end of polarizing. In other words you either love it or hate it.
We have no problem with that since it is an ongoing design trend in today's automobiles. Car designs have become more extreme than ever and have begun mixing and matching certain themes. It must be a great time to be on an auto design team because it seems like they have a ton of freedom with today's executives.
Now, fast forward to the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, which featured a blitzkrieg of vehicles from Renault. One concept, the Captur, was a jaw-droppingly interesting vehicle that shows exactly what a show car should be: attention grabbing, have innovative design cues and be painted an obnoxious color.
Which brings us to our question. The Juke, although immensely interesting, seems to turn away most buyers. The Captur, on the other hand, seems to "wow" more than "ew." Am I mistaken?
I just want to lay in the Captur's pseudo hammock...
Renault's press release follows:
CAPTUR: ON THE ADVENTURE TRAIL
Unveiled on 10th February, Captur is the second concept car to demonstrate Renault's new design strategy, a cornerstone of its "Renault 2016 - Drive the Change" plan.
A sporty crossover with a flowing and athletic body language, it expresses the idea of two people exploring the world.
Its small, twin-turbo engine combines driving fun, enjoyable performance and low CO2 emissions.
A CROSSOVER THAT'S ALL MUSCLE IN MOTION
Through its proportions and fluid curves, Captur evokes movement and lightness, yet at the same time displays powerful and muscular all-terrain cues. As was the case with DeZir, angles, corners and lines have given way to sensuous, natural forms. For the exterior designer, Julio Lozano, the chief sources of inspiration were athletes and radical sports. "In designing Captur, I began with the image of a sprinter on the starting blocks, muscles tensed, and of the energy unleashed when the starting pistol is fired," he explains. The design also references equipment such as helmets, gloves and other protective gear used in radical sports, combining high technology with sophistication and lightness.
Captur does more than simply stir the emotions: it is also a practical and versatile vehicle. It is fitted with a hard convertible roof which, once removed, reveals a carbon fibre framework. Captur can thus transform itself from a coupé to a convertible, from an urban vehicle to an off-roader, while its overall sporty appeal is reinforced by its butterfly doors and large tyres fitted to 22-inch black and white rims, the design of which is echoed along the body sides.
AN INTERIOR BATHED IN WARMTH AND LIGHTNESS
The cabin features an orange theme, plus fluorescent highlights picked out by a constant stream of light. "My main sources of inspiration were the human body, outdoor sports and urban styling," explains the colour and trim designer, Kana Watanabe.
The interior of Renault Captur is designed to be both welcoming and occupant-friendly. Innovative and ingenious materials have been employed, allowing the designers to play with light and optical effects. The centre console, door casings and dashboard are formed using a translucent material rather like a second skin. At the front of the cabin, this includes a glimpse of the high-tech fibre ropes – luminescent in places – that have been employed for most of the passenger compartment. "The whole of the interior is designed around this network of stretched elastic ropes. They use graphics and light to bring rhythm to the overall design and reinforce the dynamic feel of the vehicle while also ensuring a lighter feel inside the cabin," explains the interior designer, Magali Gouraud-Borgers.
The rear of the vehicle is a multipurpose area where the deck is lined with three layers of rope:
- The stretched cords are laid out in a way that allows items to be secured safely, thus providing a reconfigurable storage area;
- They also provide an opportunity for relaxation thanks to the supple elasticity of the structure. This is an entirely new type of comfort, a new form of seating akin to a hammock.
INNOVATIVE, STRONG ON PERFORMANCE AND LIGHT ON FUEL
Captur makes use of a twin-turbo engine-concept, developed from the new 1.6 dCi, Energy dCi 130. Downsizing is a key element in Renault's strategy to meet its declared objective of being Europe's leading automaker with regard to CO2 emissions. The range of electric vehicles will run alongside internal-combustion engined models that combine performance with contained fuel consumption. This Energy dCi Concept engine fits perfectly within this strategy. It produces 118kW (160hp) from a capacity of 1.6 litres – that's a specific power output of 100hp per litre, which is comparable with that of engines such as the one under the bonnet of Clio Renaultsport. Peak torque (380Nm) is available from as low as 1,750rpm, giving powerful acceleration from low revs, as well as refined performance under all driving conditions. Paired with a dual clutch EDC gearbox, this driveline promises genuinely enjoyable driving with CO2 emissions of 99g/km.
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