2021 Renault Captur: Australian launch delayed to April

Renault’s new small SUV will touch down later than expected, with a choice of three variants.

The 2021 Renault Captur’s Australian launch has been delayed, the French brand’s local arm has confirmed.

A Renault Australia spokesperson told CarAdvice this week the new-generation Captur won’t land Australian showrooms until early April – around three months after it was initially slated to touch down locally, in January.

That’s an additional six months beyond the mid-2020 arrival initially confirmed for the small SUV in October 2019 – delays likely attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When it does touch down, three variants will be offered, as confirmed in July 2020: Life, Zen and Intens.

While full pricing and specification details won’t be announced until later this month, the brand has previously confirmed the entry-level Life would start from less than $30,000 before on-road costs, with standard equipment to include a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, 17-inch alloy wheels, wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a selected array of active safety features.

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Above, top and below: European- and UK-spec Renault Captur models.

The mid-spec Zen will gain the full suite of active safety technologies, plus keyless entry, push-button start, and an available range of personalisation options including a black contrasting roof.

The flagship Intens picks up a larger 9.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, 18-inch alloy wheels, a Bose premium sound system, electrically-adjustable heated front seats, leather trim and a 360-degree camera.

All models will be powered by a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine shared with other Renault models, driving the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Outputs have yet to be confirmed, however power and torque claims of 113kW and 260Nm.

Under the skin, the Captur rides on Renault’s latest CMF-B modular architecture, and measures 4227mm long, 1797mm wide and 1576mm tall, with a 2639mm wheelbase.

Boot space is rated at 536 litres, with the split-folding rear seats able to be slid forwards and backwards for increased cargo space or rear passenger legroom.

The news of the Captur’s delayed Australian arrival comes just as a sport-themed, RS Line version of the Captur goes on sale in Europe (pictured at bottom), with sportier front and rear bumpers, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, RS Line badging, red interior accents and carbon-fibre-look trim.

However, the Captur RS Line won’t make it to Australia – at least at launch, with a spokesperson for the brand’s Australian operations telling CarAdvice the sporty model “could be considered for introduction at a later stage”.

Stay tuned to CarAdvice for full pricing and specification details of the new 2021 Renault Captur, expected to lob towards the end of February, ahead of first customer deliveries in early April.

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