The Modus isn't for those seeking punchy performace but it will motor along at a respectable pace, writes Andrew Hamilton
Renault clearly is out to make its mark with yet another MPV. The French manufacturer did pioneering work with the big Espace, following it up with the more compact Scenic. Now a rung down from the Scenic, there's a fascinating, even funky new arrival with MPV credentials. It's the Modus, presented earlier this year at the Madrid and Birmingham motor shows, and just now on sale in Irish Renault dealerships.
But maybe we shouldn't be gilding Renault's effort totally. Clever and all as it is, the Modus isn't a pioneer in the segment this time. Earlier initiatives from other manufacturers are already on sale here and they are spacious and innovative too. We are thinking of the Opel Meriva, the Honda Jazz, the Fiat Idea, the Ford Fusion and the Toyota Yaris Verso. This week at the Paris motor show, another French competitor will be presented. The Peugeot 1007 comes with the novelty of powered sliding doors and interior panels that are colour replaceable.
Even if there's a bit of catch-up to do, Renault seems destined for great success with Modus. The company is anticipating 300,000 European sales next year with production coming from its Spanish Valladolid plant which, until recently, was manufacturing only the Clio. However, the Modus is unmistakeably French in its shape and posture and even driving.
A few words about the looks. The French seem to have a way at making their small cars that bit different, a bit more chunky and (here's that word again) funky. The whole Modus demeanour looks friendly and attractive. From a stylistic point of view, not everyone will find the large, circular rear lights very appealing but otherwise it exudes the notion of being a willing family friend and runabout.
We have been driving the Modus in its 75bhp 1.2 litre Dynamique form with an Irish retail tag of €17,855 ex works and likely to account for at least 50 per cent of Irish sales. In all, six spec versions with 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines are offered. Unlike the UK, a diesel isn't being marketed. Renault Distributors here think that there are small pickings from a diesel in this sort of area. The entry-level 1.2 Authentique comes in at €16,855 while the most expensive model is €21,895.
Step inside and it's a bit of a revelation, light and colourful and giving the interior a very sunny disposition. It doesn't get much cheerier than this particular living room. Our car came with pastel blue and fawn combination and the airy cabin feel was enhanced by a full length electric sunroof, unfortunately an optional extra.
You can't read about a Renault car these days without getting a big dollop of safety information. Modus is the first vehicle in the small car category to secure the maximum five-star rating in crash tests carried out by the independent safety body, Euro NCAP. Renault claims to be the only auto maker to have seven vehicles all with this rating. Our test car with the Dynamique specification boasted six airbags as standard: the entry-level Authentique, however, is minus the two curtain airbags. The safety paraphernalia also includes seat-belt pretensioners.
As for the driving, the Modus isn't for those seeking punchy performace but it will motor along at a respectable pace with a useful reserve of power for passing out.
It is set in the middle of a small family constituency where the main attributes tend to be space and comfort and, of course, innovative MPV-style packaging in a supermini profile. We found the 1.2 litre pleasant to use, being quiet, torquey and very relaxing.
Certain French characteristics do makes themselves apparent. There's a soft chassis which creates a not-unpleasant slightly bouncy feel when out on the open road. The bonus from the softness is a comfortable big car impression over bumpy and irregular surfaces. The Modus comes with electric and variably assisted power steering which we found more than a trifle resistant to sharp and evasive manoeuvres.
The familiar 1,149cc unit that also does service in the Clio sibling, should have a top speed of 101 mph or 163 kph, according to Renault. More importantly , getting to 62 mph or 100 kph from start, should take 13.5 seconds. On a country run, in mostly flat country terrain, we managed 47 mpg or, to be more correctly metric, six litres for 100 kilometres. That result coincidentally was the same as the official combined mode of 47.1 mpg. For the urban and extra urban modes, the respective figures are 36.7 and 55.4 mpg.
Because it's a somewhat shrunken MPV, the real credentials of the Modus are all about flexibility and versatility and just what you can do with the furniture. Renault would seem to have done a remarkable job, given that the car is no longer than the Clio. The rear seats have two positions, pushing backwards and inwards between the rear suspension turrets for two people, or further forwards for three people. That latter position also maximises boot space. In the foremost setting, rear legroom is somewhat tight, but otherwise it surprisingly matches the larger Scenic. Boot space varies from 198 litres with all the seats in place to 621 litres with everything folded flat.
The seats are easy to move and slide. Our only quibble was that with the rear seats folded into the footwell, the front seats had to be so far forward as to compromise a comfortable driving position. The boot has a low loading lip. As an optional extra, you can have a "boot shute" which is a drop-down flap in the boot lid. It allows small items to go into the rear without opening the tailgate.
The Modus bristles with stowage space and one of the most commodious areas within the cabin (and sensibly out of view) is under the seat cushion of the front passenger seat. Rounded door pockets at the front and rear are large enough to hold CDs or a 1.5 litre bottle. We also counted three pockets including one for the mobile, on the back of the front seats.
The Renault Modus isn't for driving enthusiasts. It's for a far wider audience looking for that MPV practicality in a smaller frame with added Gallic style and appearance (or even chunky, funky looks).