By: Jason Woosey
There's no need to read anything into the name of Renault's new Captur Sunset Limited Edition, apart from the fact that it has a rather striking black and bright orange colour scheme. Rather than signalling the end of the line for the current generation Captur, which has only been with us for a year in any case, it ushers in a new diesel engine option and some improvements to the infotainment system.
While the Sunset will be limited to just 100 units, the 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine that it's fitted with will be a permanent fixture in the Captur range, sold in Dynamique form and priced at R289 900. The Sunset edition, which is set apart by a Diamond Black and Sunset Orange exterior colour combo and numerous matching interior garnishes, is priced at R292 400.
The 1.5 dCi is a tried and trusted engine to say the least, being fitted to a wide range of Renault-Nissan Alliance vehicles, including the Qashqai and Juke. The Captur's version is in a lower state of tune, however, producing 66kW at 4000rpm and 220Nm from 1750rpm. Renault SA challenged us to an economy run of sorts on last week's launch in Gauteng and although we didn't match Renault's claimed figure of 3.6 litres per 100km, we averaged 4.2 l/100km at a semi-realistic pace of between 100 and 110km/h.
The lack of turbo-lag and abundance of low-end torque make it easy to drive this car economically as it doesn't feel bogged down when you up-shift at low rpm. Driven more liberally after the economy challenge, the 1.5 dCi felt more adequate than brisk, but it did cruise rather happily on the highway, even without a sixth gear - a five-speed manual is the only gearbox option.
The two turbopetrol engine options continue as before in the form of an 898cc three-cylinder unit rated at 66kW and 135Nm, and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, and a 1.2-litre four-cylinder motor that's good for 88kW and 190Nm and only available with Renaults six-speed EDC dual-clutch autobox.
Standard features are abundant across the range and include a revised MediaNav infotainment system, featuring an 18cm touch-screen and satellite navigation. The diesel Captur additionally comes with a reverse camera.
CAPTUR PRICES
0.9T Expression - 66kW/135Nm - R249 900
0.9T Dynamique - 66kW/135Nm - R264 900
1.2T Dynamique EDC - 88kW/190Nm - R304 900
1.5 dCi Dyamique - 66kW/220Nm - R289 900
1.5 dCi Sunset Edition - 66kW/220Nm - R292 400
ALTERNATIVES
Ford EcoSport 1.5 TDCi Trend - 74kW/205Nm - R275 900
Nissan Juke 1.5 dCi Acenta - 81kW/260Nm - R318 900
VW CrossPolo 1.4 TDI - 77kW/250Nm - R286 700