Tour de Cork: Renault Captur E-Tech Plug-in Launch Edition (PHEV)

Summary

In this detailed range test of the Renault Captur Plug-in Hybrid, the presenter conducts multiple driving tests over a few days to assess the vehicle's electric and hybrid fuel consumption. The tests include city, mixed, and motorway driving conditions, with an emphasis on how the car performs in both eco mode and normal driving. Key findings include the car's close match to WLTP range estimates and efficient fuel consumption, especially under various driving conditions, highlighting the car's hybrid system complexity and performance. The presenter also compares results with similar vehicles, offering insightful observations on hybrid and electric driving efficiency.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Renault Captur plug-in hybrid range test involves a mixed driving route around Cork, totaling 46-47 kilometers, which approximates the vehicle's range.
• 😀 The first test is conducted using pure EV mode (battery only), with a focus on economical driving, no heater use, and battery preservation.
• 😀 The second test is planned for the following day and will assess the vehicle's performance in normal driving conditions and on petrol-only mode after the battery is depleted.
• 😀 The car's battery doesn't fast charge, taking around three hours to fully recharge, which influences the timing between the two tests.
• 😀 The first range test (echo run) achieved 48 kilometers, close to the official WLTP range of 50 kilometers, with a consumption of 14.7 kWh per 100 kilometers.
• 😀 Renault claims a city WLTP range of 65 kilometers, which the reviewer finds hard to achieve, given mixed driving conditions and a cold temperature of 8°C.
• 😀 When the battery is depleted, the petrol engine kicks in with about 20% charge remaining, transitioning the car into a self-charging hybrid mode.
• 😀 In petrol mode, the Captur averaged 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers, with an additional consumption of 0.8 kWh per 100 kilometers, resulting in a double consumption rate compared to an all-petrol car.
• 😀 The Captur uses a two-gear electric motor system, which behaves differently than traditional CVT systems in hybrids, leading to variable powertrain efficiency.
• 😀 On the second day of testing, the Captur performed a 100 km/h motorway test, revealing an average consumption of 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers, which the reviewer considers good under rainy conditions.
• 😀 The reviewer speculates that the Captur’s two-gear system for the electric motor contributes to the efficiency at higher speeds (100 km/h), despite a 20% worse performance compared to the Echo run's lower speeds.

Q & A

What was the goal of the range test conducted on the Renault Captur Plug-in Hybrid?

The goal of the range test was to evaluate the electric-only range, fuel efficiency in hybrid mode, and overall driving performance of the Renault Captur Plug-in Hybrid under various driving conditions, including eco mode, normal driving, and motorway driving.

How far did the Renault Captur Plug-in Hybrid manage to drive on electric power alone during the eco mode test?

During the eco mode test, the Renault Captur Plug-in Hybrid achieved a distance of 48 kilometers on electric power alone, which was very close to the official WLTP range of 50 kilometers.

What factors influenced the performance of the Renault Captur during the eco mode test?

The performance during the eco mode test was influenced by several factors including the cold weather (8°C), the absence of heating in the car, and the driver’s focus on driving economically and efficiently to maximize electric range.

How did the Captur perform in hybrid mode once the battery was depleted?

In hybrid mode, after the battery was depleted, the Renault Captur consumed 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers. This was achieved under difficult driving conditions, including rain, wind, and low temperatures (7°C). The performance was considered efficient, especially compared to other vehicles like the diesel version of the Captur.

What was the fuel consumption at motorway speeds (100 km/h) in hybrid mode?

At motorway speeds of 100 km/h, the Renault Captur Plug-in Hybrid consumed 5.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. The petrol engine ran most of the time during this phase.

How did the Renault Captur’s performance compare to other vehicles in similar conditions?

Compared to similar vehicles, the Renault Captur performed well. For example, the diesel version of the Captur would likely consume around 6 liters per 100 kilometers on the same route, and a petrol version would consume between 7 and 8 liters. The Captur hybrid's consumption of 5.2 liters was seen as impressive given the conditions.

What was the key difference observed in energy consumption between 70 km/h and 80 km/h in the Captur?

At 70 km/h, the Captur used first gear, while at 80 km/h, it switched to second gear. There was only a 0.1 kWh per 100 kilometers difference in energy consumption between the two speeds, indicating that the second gear may improve efficiency at higher speeds.

What effect did weather conditions have on the Renault Captur’s efficiency during the tests?

Weather conditions had a significant impact on the Captur’s efficiency. For example, during the eco mode test, cold temperatures (8°C) and no use of the heater helped keep the vehicle close to its WLTP range, but on subsequent days, warmer weather and rain influenced the consumption rates.

What was the energy consumption at 100 km/h under less ideal conditions?

At 100 km/h, the Renault Captur consumed 18.2 kWh per 100 kilometers under less ideal conditions, including rain and 10°C temperatures. This was about 20% worse than the more favorable eco mode results, but still relatively efficient considering the weather.

What did the tester find interesting about the powertrain configuration of the Renault Captur?

The tester found the powertrain of the Renault Captur to be complex and interesting due to its combination of a 1.6-liter petrol engine, two electric motors, and a four-speed gearbox for the petrol engine. The system offers 15 different configurations, which contribute to the hybrid's efficiency and performance in various driving conditions.