Micro sizes, but a lot of space in the interior, plus plenty of storage spaces and… smiling face. The New Modus completes the Renault small car range.
Modus is the first Renault to use a new platform developed for sub-compact cars. The same, which we can already find in the Nissan Miera (alliance effect between brands), and in a year's time it will be used in the new Clio.
Maintaining the length and wheelbase typical of city cars, the new model is to provide more space inside – thanks to the increased height of the body. Typical of Renault's contemporaries is the silhouette of the Modus. There are similarities to other models
a lot, and the joyful style should attract buyers expecting individualism from the car.
The interior is also cheerful. The two-color instrument panel is made of good quality plastics. The center console was not overloaded with buttons, which greatly facilitated its operation. Pity, that it was decided to be centrally placed (electronic) instrument cluster – to read anything from it, one looks to the side, and not ahead.
This, what is supposed to give Modus an advantage over a "normal" Clio is space for passengers and functional, giving a wide possibility of interior arrangement. Really – after changing from the "non-minivan" the feeling of spaciousness is big. The width of the interior is also sufficient. There is not enough legroom for the rear seat passengers. Tall people hammer their knees into the backrests of the front seats.
The possibilities of arranging the cabin are wide. The rear bench can slide within the range 17 Cm, Its seat can be transformed from a three-seater into a two-seater with a few movements of the hand.
There are many ways to adjust the volume of the boot. Depending on the position of the rear seat, it fits from 198 into 274 liters of packages. However, it is always quite short. Of course, the backrests can be folded down if required. To facilitate access to the trunk, the back cover can be split. Its lower part can be folded back, Unfortunately, the gap that then arises is too small, to put anything conveniently in the trunk.
The minivan could not run out of places for small items. There are plenty of compartments in Modus, e.g. in the floor in front of the passenger seat, in the depression created by the lifting of part of the passenger seat cushion, under the passenger seat (drawer)… However, you will have to pay extra for some of them.
One of the five drive units will be used to drive the Modus. Cars with the basic engine were made available for the first trips 1.2, and two from the top of the table – gasoline 1.6 and a more powerful turbo diesel.
Of course – driving the latter is the most pleasant. Petrol, 115-The horsepower engine with the car copes with no problems, like an 80 hp diesel. In the case of an individual 1,2 1 even a slight elevation forces you to downshift, as well as any overtaking. One thing seems to be common to all three of them - it's quite noisy in the cabin, a monotonous hum is heard while driving. I think I could use better damping of the engine compartment.
About that, that Modus was made for a relaxed ride with the family, not for the serpentine madness, resembles a soft-tuned suspension. You cannot complain about the comfort of travel, holes in the pavement are gently absorbed. Worse, when the inequalities are e.g.. in the middle of a bend. This knocks the car off the track a bit. Electric power steering adds a further five cents, which takes the driver away from the "feeling" of it, what happens to the front wheels.
Small cars are popular in our country. Little, but packing cars – especially, it is enough to recall the example of Thalia. Little, voluminous, in addition, the non-ugly ones should therefore be snapped up.