Since there are so many hatchback-based front-wheel drive crossovers cropping up in the market, why not also try to turn them into hot hatches? It’s not the worst marketing decision the automakers that offer them could make, so why not give it a shot? One of these vehicles that could get a performance version is the Renault Captur, but according to a report by GoAuto, such a model is not planned yet, but it’s not out of the books either.
The information comes courtesy of the Captur’s program manager Christophe Pejout who expressed his desire to see a “more driver-orientated” variant of the vehicle materialize into an actual, special RS-badged model. Besides, being based on the Clio, it could probably even share bits with the RS, namely the suspension, engine and gearbox, and then get more unique styling to make it stand out as its own model.
Of course, this is by no means indication that they are going to build it. Nevertheless, it could end up being a nice car, if they were to make it, sharing its running gear with the Clio RS, but having slightly taller and softer suspension, so that it could be driven moderately quickly over rougher ground than the city-oriented hatch. It would make more sense to be done that way, I think.
Mr. Pejout argues that, before they seriously consider it, the Captur must first prove itself a sales success in Europe, so that Renault can initiate viability studies for sales in other markets. Only then, if the appeal is strong enough, will they consider making a Captur RS, a car that already has a direct rival, in the form of the Nissan Juke Nismo.
By Andrei Nedelea
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