Renault Opens Order Book For The Modus
Published: 16th July 2004
Modus - the king of supermini innovation
When Modus hits the streets in September, it’s not just set to rival the competition with its superb driving dynamics and interior space, it will also set a new standard with its price and range of technological features unheard of on a car of this size.
With its vast glazed area of up to 3.56m², the most notable feature of Modus is its light and airy cabin. The sunroof comes in two guises - with the two-part panoramic sunroof, the front panel can slide or tilt through three positions at the touch of a button, or, alternatively the car comes with a unique, manual "pop-out" system, whereby two individual panels above the front passenger and driver can be tilted or removed entirely and then stored in a pouch behind the rear seats. To keep interior noise levels to a minimum, an automatic folding air deflector is available for the electric sunroof, whilst sunblinds are also available for the rear windows and windscreen to keep the cabin cool.
The second major innovation on Modus is its ground-breaking "Triptic" rear bench whose middle seat can be folded up to allow the seats to be be moved fore and aft through 170mm to create limo-like legroom in the rear, or else left in place to give three full seats with individual headrests. The rear bench is also 1/3 and 2/3 split and can be tipped forward up against the back of the front seats to leave a large, flat bootfloor for loading large items with a load volume of 621 litres.
Still on the seat theme, doesn’t it just drive you up the wall when you put your mobile phone or sunglasses on the passenger seat only to see them crash into the footwell when you brake? Well, Renault’s designers have come up with yet another solution to this everyday problem by creating a new stowage facility whereby the front passenger seat cushion folds up to leave a hollow underneath in which drivers can hold objects safely while on the move.
Aside from this novel storage idea, Modus also boasts impressive overall cabin storage – the volume of the luggage compartment ranges from 198 litres with the back seat in its rearmost position up to 274 litres with it fully forward. According to model, Modus also has under seat trays in the front, two-litre stowage compartments in the front floor, plus a large dashboard cubby.
Another touch of ingenuity on Modus comes in the form of a "boot chute". Penned after a Renault designer couldn’t load items into his hatchback in a tight parking space, this innovative feature is incorporated in the normal tailgate, but hinged at the bottom to rest loads on and also to allow items to be dropped securely into the boot in confined city spaces.
Completing the plethora of innovative features on Modus is ‘Vélofix’, a bike rack attachment system which can be slotted into the rear bumper. Capable of holding two adult bicycles (maximum weight 30kg) whilst still allowing access to the car’s "boot chute", the lifestyle accessory can be fitted in a matter of seconds and then simply stored in the boot when not in use.
Renault Modus
Our Renault Modus Guide lists the full specification of the current UK Modus range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £9,820 - £12,720
Body Style:
Fuel:
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Models in the range: 5
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 27th Oct 2008
