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.

Renault Modus
Overview
ManufacturerRenault
Also calledRenault Grand Modus
ProductionAugust 2004–December 2012
AssemblySpain: Valladolid (Renault Spain)
Body and chassis
ClassMini MPV (M)
Body style5-door mini MPV
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
PlatformAlliance B platform
RelatedRenault Clio
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission5-speed manual
6-speed manual
4-speed automatic
5-speed automated manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,482 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)

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

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Rear (pre-facelift)
 
Front (minor facelift)
 
Rear (minor facelift)

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

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Renault Modus facelift (2007)
 
Renault Modus facelift (2007)
 
Renault Grand Modus, launched in 2008, has a larger wheelbase than the Modus (front)
 
(rear)

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

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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

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Phase I

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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

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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

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References

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  1. ^ "Renault Modus 1.2 16V 65 Acces - 5-doors, MPV". Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
  2. ^ "Renault Grand Modus 1.2 16V Authentique - 5-doors, MPV". Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
  3. ^ "Renault to cut five UK models". telegraph.co.uk. 19 December 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Renault Modus - technical". carinf.com. 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2012-10-11.
  5. ^ "ADAC Pannenstatistik 2006" (PDF). ADAC. 2011-09-21. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
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