Renault Modus

Transmission5-speed manual
6-speed manual
4-speed automatic
5-speed automated manualDimensionsWheelbase2,482 mm (97.7 in) (Modus)^[1]
2,575 mm (101.4 in) (Grand Modus)^[2]Length3,792 mm (149.3 in) (Modus)
4,034 mm (158.8 in) (Grand Modus)Width1,695 mm (66.7 in)Height1,590 mm (62.6 in)

The Renault Modus is a mini MPV produced by the French manufacturer Renault from August 2004 to December 2012, in Valladolid, Spain. The production version is very similar to the concept car of the same name, which was presented at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. It is essentially a taller version of the Clio III and, as such, shared its platform and much of its engine range with the third generation of the Clio.

A larger wheelbase version was produced as the Renault Grand Modus. Originally marketed as "a higher-range alternative to the Twingo and Clio", it aimed to provide the practicality and versatility of the larger Renault Scénic in a smaller footprint. The Clio platform that spawned the Modus also gave rise to the current Nissan Micra and its monospace relative, the Nissan Note.

Design features

Marketed as the Triptic System, the Modus' rear seats are mounted on sliding rails with four preset positions. When in the rearmost two positions the seats are configured for two people with increased leg, hip, and shoulder room. When in the forward positions they are configured for three passengers, increasing cargo capacity.

Another seat-based feature of Modus is the "Stay Put" system. The base of the front passenger seat flips up to reveal a storage compartment. An optional feature of the Modus is a boot chute, a drop-down opening in the centre of the tailgate below the rear window.

The facelifted Modus was launched in Europe in 2007, featuring colour coded bumpers on all versions, clear Perspex 'glass' indicator bezels, revised side door mouldings and updated interior trim on all specification levels.

Restyle

Soon after, in February 2008, a restyled Modus and the new Grand Modus were launched. Also that year, the Grand Modus replaced the Modus in Spain. The Grand Modus has an extended length of 4,034 mm (158.8 in) and a boot volume of 410 litres (0.41 m³ (0.54 cu yd)) below the parcel shelf.

This restyle saw changes made to the front and rear of the standard model to match the styling of the newer Grand variant. The boot chute has been removed from the options list.

In February 2012, Renault discontinued the Modus, Espace, Kangoo, Laguna, and Wind lines in the United Kingdom.^[3]

Safety

The Modus was the first small car to receive the full 5 Euro NCAP stars for passenger safety due in part to its six airbag system, front and rear side impact bars and ISOFIX child seat fixing points. It was also one of the first cars in its class to have such features as automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers on its options list.

The Modus was offered with a cornering lamp function. Concealed in the main headlamp unit and operating at speeds less than 38 mph (61.2 km/h), the lights gave the driver a wider field of vision when going round bends. On Privilège and Initiale models, Renault offered the Modus with "double distance" Xenon headlamps.

Mechanicals

Phase I

model	engine type	max. power	rpm	max. torque	rpm	top speed	0–100 km/h (62 mph)	mpg	CO2 emissions[4]
petrol engines all fuel injected
1.2 16v	I4 SOHC	65 PS (48 kW; 64 hp)	5500	105 N⋅m (77 lbf⋅ft)	4250	163 km/h (101 mph)	15.0 sec	47.0	140 g/km
		75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)	5500	104 N⋅m (77 lbf⋅ft)		163 km/h (101 mph)	13.5 sec	47.0	145 g/km
1.4 16v	I4 DOHC	100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp)	5700	127 N⋅m (94 lbf⋅ft)		177 km/h (110 mph)	11.4 sec	42.3	161 g/km
1.6 16v	I4 DOHC	112 PS (82 kW; 110 hp)	6000	151 N⋅m (111 lbf⋅ft)		188 km/h (117 mph)	10.3 sec	41.6	163 g/km
1.6 16v Auto						184 km/h (114 mph)	12.3 sec	37.8	182 g/km
diesel engines all Direct Injection (dCi)
1.5 dCi	I4 SOHC Turbo	68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp)	4000	160 N⋅m (118 lbf⋅ft)	2000	158 km/h (98 mph)	15.3 sec	60.1	125 g/km
		86 PS (63 kW; 85 hp)	3750	200 N⋅m (148 lbf⋅ft)	1900	171 km/h (106 mph)	12.6 sec	62.8	119 g/km
		106 PS (78 kW; 105 hp)	4000	240 N⋅m (177 lbf⋅ft)	2000	186 km/h (116 mph)	11.2 sec	60.1	124 g/km

Phase II

model	engine type	max. power	rpm	max. torque	rpm	top speed	0–100 km/h (62 mph)	mpg	CO2 emissions[4]
petrol engines all fuel injected
1.2 16v	I4 SOHC	75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)	5500	104 N⋅m (77 lbf⋅ft)	4250	101 mph (162.5 km/h)	13.5 sec	47.9	138 g/km
1.2 16v QS5*						105 mph (169.0 km/h)	15.0 sec	50.4	134 g/km
1.2 TCe	I4 SOHC Turbo	100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp)	5500	145 N⋅m (107 lbf⋅ft)	3000	113 mph (181.9 km/h)	11.2 sec	47.1	139 g/km
1.6 16v Auto	I4 DOHC	113 PS (83 kW; 111 hp)	6000	151 N⋅m (111 lbf⋅ft)	4250	114 mph (183.5 km/h)	12.3 sec	36.7	179 g/km
diesel engines all Direct Injection (dCi)
1.5 dCi	I4 SOHC Turbo	88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp)	4000	200 N⋅m (148 lbf⋅ft)	1750	106 mph (170.6 km/h)	13.0 sec	62.8	107 g/km
1.5 dCi QS5*							14.8 sec		119 g/km

• QS5 = QuickShift5

In terms of reliability, according to the 2006 breakdown survey from the German Automobile Club,^[5] the Modus ranks 3rd in its class with an average 5.8 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles after three years. This is behind the Audi A2 (1st) and the BMW Mini (2nd) and ahead of the Lupo (4th) & Polo (5th), Toyota Yaris (6th) and Honda Jazz (7th).

See also

• Renault Scénic, the compact MPV of the manufacturer
• Renault Espace, the large MPV of the manufacturer

References

External links

• Renault Modus official worldwide website