| Manufacturer | Renault |
|---|---|
| Production | 2004–present |
| Class | Mini MPV |
| Body style | 5-door MPV |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | Alliance B platform |
| Engine | 1.5 dCi 1.6 16V 1.2 16V 1.4 16V |
| Length | 3,790 mm (149.2 in) |
| Width | 1,695 mm (66.7 in) |
| Height | 1,590 mm (62.6 in) |
| Related | Nissan Micra Nissan Note Renault Clio Renault Twingo |
The Renault Modus is a mini MPV designed by the French automaker Renault and built in Valladolid, Spain since September 2004. 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 and, as such, shares its platform and much of its engine range with the Clio's latest incarnation. Originally marketed as "a higher-range alternative to the Twingo and Clio", it is targeted at people who want the practicality and versatility of the larger Renault Scénic but without the added size. The Clio platform that spawned the Modus also gave rise to the current Nissan Micra and its monospace relative, the Nissan Note.
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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 people, increasing cargo capacity. This is being referred to in Renault marketing as the "Triptic system". Another seat-based feature of Modus is the "Stay Put" system. The base of the front passenger seat flips up to reveal a compartment in which a handbag or other item can be held.
A particularly distinctive optional feature of the Modus is a boot chute, a drop-down opening in the centre of the tailgate below the rear window.
"Modus Phase 2" 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.
Soon after, in February 2008, a restyled Modus and new Grand Modus was launched. 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 significant 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 due to slow sales.
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. Also, the Modus has 'Dedicated Cornering Headlamps' which give the driver a wider field of vision when going round corners. However, they only operate at a speed of 38 mph (61 km/h) or less, which limits their practicality somewhat, and they are available on higher trim levels only. Another headlight-related option (again only available on higher trim levels, and included as standard on Privilège and Initiale) are the double distance Xenon headlights which increase the driver's field of vision, helping reduce the number of accidents of caused by poor night visibility.
The available engine range in Europe to date is as follows :
The 1.5 dCi 106 is available with a six-speed gearbox for greater economy. The petrol 1.6 16v 113 is available with a 4-speed auto gearbox. A 5-speed robotised sequential manual gearbox, named "Quickshift5" is available on the dCi86 engine as an option.
In terms of reliability, according to the 2006 breakdown survey from the German Automobile Club,[2] the Modus ranks 3rd in its class with an average 5.8 breakdowns per 1000 vehicles after 3 years. This is behind the Audi A2 (1st) and the BMW Mini (2nd) and ahead of the VWs Lupo (4th) & Polo (5th), Toyota Yaris (6th) and Honda Jazz (7th).
| Type | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | ||
| City car | 4 | Twingo | Twingo II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supermini | 5 / 7 | Super 5 | Symbol I | Symbol II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clio I | Clio II | Clio III | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Small family car |
14 | 9 / 11 | 19 | Fluence | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alliance / Encore | Mégane I | Mégane II | Mégane III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large family car |
18 | 21 / Medallion | Laguna I | Laguna II | Laguna III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Latitude | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive car | 20 / 30 | 25 | Safrane | Vel Satis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leisure activity vehicle | Express | Kangoo I | Kangoo II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUV | Koleos | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mini MPV | Modus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact MPV | Scénic I | Scénic II | Scénic III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large MPV | Espace I | Espace II | Espace III | Espace IV | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé | Fuego | Avantime | Laguna Coupé | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | Spider | Wind | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Van | Trafic I | Trafic II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Master I | Master II | Master III | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||