Renault's new Modus, the baby of the range, gets the marque back on its target market, writes Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor
JUST WHAT is the point of Renault's involvement with Formula One? Ferrari we can understand, BMW and Mercedes perhaps. But Renault? Where is the crossover? It's not as if the French car firm even has a sports car. True, there's a few hot hatch sports versions, but they are more in keeping with rallying than the high-octane world of F1. As for identifying with team boss Flavio Briatore, it's hard to see how the family-oriented brand gels with Flavio's lothario characteristics.
Renault would be better sponsoring family day at the Phoenix Park than playboy racers. This is the firm that had its finger right on the pulse for the boom in people carriers, offering a wide range of options from a premium-challenging Espace to the frequently best-selling Scenic. It had the family market under control.
Yet, somehow, others quickly stole that family mantle, particularly Opel, while the French marque struggled with some quality issues that damaged the brand's reputation, something it has been trying to recover from of late. The good news is it now has a model line-up that puts it right back in contention as the French answer to European family needs.
What we have here is the baby of the range. It's actually the second time lucky for this model in Ireland. The first outing of Modus on to the Irish market was a bit of a flop. Sales failed to meet expectations. Buyers simply didn't know what to make of it. It wasn't quite a small people carrier, but it wasn't a supermini either. So what if it was actually quite a decent little car to drive? Irish car buyers didn't know what to make of it.
The good news is this second generation Modus hits the spot. This time two versions are being offered: a revamped regular Modus and a new Grand Modus version, adding a sizeable 240mm in length compared to the outgoing regular model.
This Grand Modus version is the only offering in Ireland, and yet again it's a praiseworthy decision for Renault operations here, for it needs that extra length to have any raison d'être. At last they have a real challenger. At 4,034mm long and with a wheelbase of 2,575mm, the Grand Modus is just a fraction shorter than the strong-selling Nissan Note with which it shares a platform, but has a generous boot capacity of between 305 litres and 410 litres, depending on the position of the rear bench seat, meaning the boot capacity is up 50 per cent on the first-generation Modus.
The bench seat (which splits 60:40 on the higher specification Monaco version) is mounted on a slide rail that travels through 150mm to increase either luggage space or rear passenger comfort.
A nice feature is the fact it can be moved not only using levers under the seats, but also via a lever in the boot, so you can push the bench up as you are loading up. The boot lip is also very low, making loading easy, while there's a nice system with the parcel shelf which folds up with the boot door when it opens but slips back into position when closed.
As you might expect, there is a multitude of stowage spaces provided, including under-floor lockers, aviation-style overhead central stowage and various other cubby holes. Even the cushion on the passenger seat can be lifted to reveal a small holding place if the driver is alone, and wants to have something to hand that won't rattle around in the collection of other storage bins. With all the paraphernalia of family life, there's no doubting parents will appreciate the sheer volume of storage inside.
Life inside is pretty reasonable. Up front the soft touch plastics could have been of better quality, while the clear open dash may mean better views, but it does mean a great big mound of plastic faces driver and passenger.
On a more positive note, the low-set window lines allow for very large windows on all sides and visibility is excellent, helped in the back by slightly raised seats compared to the front. Important for family motoring, visibility for smaller rear-seat passengers is very good - this can allay some car sickness problems on longer journeys.
As with most people carriers, there's not much in the way of exhilaration for the driver. The good news is that it's incredibly easy to drive and the Grand Modus offers decent handling characteristics and ride quality even on Irish back roads.
It soaks up the worst potholes without being too soft in the apex of a corner. Our greatest complaint would be that the steering is light and often numb, offering something akin to a computer game in terms of feedback from the road.
Likewise throttle response and controls are all rather bland, though we did like the short stubby switchgear and remote audio controls that feature on all small Renaults these days. It bears little relation to the F1 team, but it's very easygoing point-and-click motoring.
The engine range is limited to a 1.2-litre petrol or the 1.5-litre diesel engine it shares with several other models in the Nissan and Renault ranges. We tested the petrol engine and, for its price, it's a decent proposition. Outside town it's rather insipid and certainly lacking in pulling power. At motorway speeds you find yourself searching for that missing sixth gear, but as long as you don't need any immediate surge of power or don't overtake, then it does its job.
If you travel more often on national or rural roads, or you are going to wait until after July, when the new emissions-based taxes come in, then you should opt for the 1.5-litre diesel. With lower emissions, it should drop in price come July and that should make it by far the most attractive proposition.
In terms of challengers, the Grand Modus is up against some big-name players in this busy segment. The Honda Jazz is the first that comes to mind, and it's a wonderfully practical little car. However, the Grand Modus has its beating when it comes to cubbyholes and bootspace, and the Jazz is starting to show its age against these more innovative and recently launched small rivals. For our money the big rival would be the Opel Meriva, with plenty of interior space and a nice driving style. It's a good package, if a little more expensive.
One name that is regularly mentioned is the Nissan Note, which has more than a fleeting relationship with the Renault, given the joint ownership of both brands.
Both, for example, use the impressive 1.5-litre dci engine. This is the engine of choice for anyone buying a Grand Modus after July 1st. Prices are expected to fall and the benefits don't end there, with the diesel packing more punch and better fuel economy.
The Note is a lovely car to drive and certainly one of our favourites in this market.
However, it can't compete with the 1.2-litre entry price for the Renault. Nor is it as well priced as the Grand Modus in its direct diesel comparison. Throw in the extra cubbyholes and features of the Renault and it comes out the better buy, although we prefer the handling of the Nissan.
There are several other cars we would point potential buyers to as well. Less obvious choices would be the Peugeot 207 SW, with its spacious boot and a 1.4-litre version for €17,475. Also out there is the quirky Fiat Doblo. Offering seven-seats and an absolutely incredible 3,000 litres of loadspace with all the passenger seats folded down, it is more a van than a car and doesn't have as many of the safety options as the rest, but it's incredibly well priced at just €16,895 for the 1.4-litre petrol.
So those are the rivals: how does Grand Modus compare? On a like-for-like basis it does very well. It has all the features expected in this class and then a few added extras. It's roomy and the load space is among the best in class.
Renault Grand Modus 1.2 Monaco CC: 1149 0-100km/h: 13.7 secs Max speed: 163 km/h BHP: 75 Consumption: 5.9L/100km Price: €16,590
FACTFILE
Engine:1149cc four cylinder, 16V petrol engine putting out 75bhp @ 5,500rpm and 105Nm of torque @ 4,250rpm
Specification:dual front airbags (curtain airbags optional); ABS with EBD and Brake Assist; front disc with rear drum brakes; (ESP optional); digital speedometer and information panel; 15" steel wheels (alloys on Monaco versions); radio/CD with four speakers; electric front windows.
L/100km (mpg):urban: 4.9 (57.6); extra-urban: 7.6 (37.2); combined: 5.9 (47.9)
CO2 emissions:140 g/km
Tax:up to July 1st - VRT: 22.5 per cent, annual road tax: €275. From July 1st - VRT: 16 per cent, annual road tax: €150.
Price:€16,590 (€15,650 to €21,250)