When Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn unveiled the new Captur concept car, he said it was a demonstration of Renault's new design language. But we couldn't help but wonder, "Is this the new Nissan Juke?"
See, Ghosn is the CEO of both companies, and Renault holds a 44.3 percent stake in Nissan while Nissan holds 15 percent of Renault. The two companies have established collaborations on electric cars and crossovers, and that partnership couldn't be more apparent than with the design of the Captur: Swap out the Captur's diesel engine and diamond badge, drop the Lambo doors and put on some sensible wheels, and you'll have yourselves a Juke.
Like a romantic relationship, Renault's design has matured over time. The company said the DeZir coupe, which debuted in Frankfurt in 2009, symbolized two people falling in love, while the new Captur embodies those same two people exploring the world together -- presumably in a crossover -- as part of an evolution that design director Axel Breun calls "more functional but still highly sensuous."
Just as love grows and changes over time, so does the Captur, with a removable hardtop that allows a switch from coupe to convertible. The interior is spare, with front seats attached to the center console and networks of entwined ropes that make up the passenger compartment. Renault says the woven hammock in the back is meant to inspire thoughts of sailing, but all we can think of is an old Sammy Johns tune.
Regardless of whether the Captur becomes the next Juke, Renault has promised that a toned-down version of the Captur might make it to production. With Geneva coming up in less than a month, we wouldn't be surprised if we catch a glimpse of it there.
Photos: Renault
