Renault Captur Concept (2011)

Renault Captur Concept

At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault revealed its new brand identity which puts people at the forefront of its concerns. The new and ambitious design strategy which resulted from this is founded on different stages of the human life cycle, with each phase taking the form of a specific concept car. The first, the two-seater DeZir coupé, expressed 'falling in love', the passion present at the beginning of any new adventure. Now Renault Captur Concept addresses the second phase of this cycle, that of two people exploring the world around them.

Just like its predecessor, Renault Captur defines the simple, sensuous and warm style that will be progressively extended to future Renault car designs. "Captur is a fun and sporty crossover, ideal for a young couple about to discover the world" explains director of design, Laurens Van den Acker. "It takes as its basis the fundamental design language introduced on the DeZir concept car but adds a more technical dimension - more functional but still highly sensuous," adds Axel Breun, director of concept cars.

A CROSSOVER THAT'S ALL MUSCLE IN MOTION

In its proportions and fluid curves, Renault Captur Concept evokes movement and lightness, yet at the same time displaying powerful and muscular all-terrain cues. Just as with DeZir, angles, corners and lines have given way to sensuous and natural forms. For the exterior designer, Julio Lozano, the main sources of inspiration were athletes and radical sports. "In designing Captur, I began with the image of a sprinter on the starting blocks, his muscles tensed, and 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.

Renault Captur adopts the new frontal identity first presented by DeZir. As with DeZir, this identity has as its centrepiece a large Renault logo, set vertically against a dark surface so as to stand out as clearly as possible. Substantial, matt-finished wings reinforce the design's visual strength. LEDs relay the direction indicator signal in a wave effect running the whole length of the vehicle.

Renault Captur does more than simply stir the emotions: it is also a practical and versatile vehicle. It is fitted with a hard convertible top which, once removed, reveals a carbon fibre framework. Captur Concept 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 big tyres fitted to 22-inch black and white rims. With its bodywork finished in a spicy shade of orange, Renault Captur takes its cue from the red championed by DeZir. This colour appears in a variety of different shades on materials both inside and outside the vehicle.

AN INTERIOR FULLY BATHED IN WARMTH AND LIGHTNESS

The orange theme has been carried over to the cabin which also features 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. "I wanted Captur to radiate warmth and dynamism."

The interior of Renault Captur is designed to be both welcoming and occupant-friendly. The impression of lightness expressed by the exterior is dominant here, too, with the front seats attached to the centre console as if suspended in mid air. The passenger compartment is restrained and pure, with no superfluous equipment. 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 used for most of the passenger compartment. "The whole of the interior is designed around this network of stretched elastic ropes which bring to mind the worlds of sailing or mountain climbing, 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 aluminium pedals, carbon bucket-style front seats and steering wheel trimmed in grey textured leather reassert the sporting side of the design, in keeping with the original brief.