Lots of Americans have said nasty things about the French. During Hitler’s war, General George Patton declared that he’d rather have a German battalion in front of him than a French one behind him. PJ O’Rourke famously described the French as a “smallish, monkey-looking bunch and not dressed any better, on average, than the citizens of Baltimore”, and Jeff Greenfield spitefully called them “cheese eatin’ surrender monkeys” on CNN.
I think the Yanks are just jealous, though, because the French build small cars that seem to expand into big ‘uns once you’re inside them, get around corners without wallowing, and don’t guzzle gas.
Renault’s new Modus is just such an offering. Based on the joint Renault/Nissan “B” platform, upon which the Nissan Micra is also built, the Modus is the first of a Renault range that will include the new Clio and the next-generation Twingo minicar.
There are currently two Modus models available to South African buyers — the R125 000 1,4 Expression and the R135 000 1,4 Dynamique. In August these will be joined by a lower-spec 1,2 Authentique costing just R110 000, and next year we’ll see a 1,6-litre version in South African showrooms.
Despite the altitude at Sun City robbing the launch cars’ 1,4 engines of 17% of their claimed 72kW of power, the little cars proved remarkably perky. Based on this, I’d say that the 55kW 1,2-litre version will deliver similar performance at the coast to the 1,4-litre at altitude. The factory claims top speeds of 163kph and 177kph for the 1,2 and 1,4-litre engines respectably, presumably at sea level, with the 0 to 100kph sprint requiring just 13,5 and 11,4 seconds for the two versions of the car.
The most surprising feature of the Modus is the amount of interior space, and the way the French make the most of it. Stretch the length and width of a small car slightly and you end up with a big car. Leave those dimensions alone, however, while you give it a higher roof and you score in two ways: the larger windows give an impression of spaciousness, and passengers can be seated in a more upright position, thus needing less leg-room.
While my wife was enjoying a stint behind the wheel I attempted something that would have been impossible for a man of my bulk to achieve in most other small cars — I clambered between the two front seats into the back to take a photograph of the dashboard. Then I squeezed back through to the front again, with my wife thankfully resisting the huge temptation to stand on the brake pedal.
Renault specialises in loading its cars with useful features and the Modus is no exception. Dual front airbags, air conditioning, electric front windows and a radio/front loader CD with satellite controls on the steering wheel are standard for even the 1,2-litre base model.
There’s also a seven-function onboard computer, remote central locking, “see-me-home” headlights that remain on for a minute or two after you exit the car, electric power steering, a height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel and height-adjustable headlights.
All models also feature disc brakes front and rear. The 1,4 Expression adds a bigger engine, side airbags, three rear headrests, a height adjustable driver’s seat and a Triptic rear bench seat that can be made wider or narrower, and moved backwards and forwards to vary the ratio between rear passenger accommodation and boot space.
The top-of-the line 1,4 Dynamique boasts an arsenal of extras that would do an executive BMW or Mercedes-Benz saloon proud.
These include six airbags, electric mirrors and windows all round, alloy wheels, automatic light-sensing headlights, reading lights for front and rear passengers, rain sensors linked to automatic windscreen wipers, auxiliary cornering headlights that come on when the steering wheel is turned, sunglass holders, a storage drawer under the front seat and a safety luggage net. Further options include a cruise control, xenon headlights and an electric panoramic sunroof.
Small cars these days are way, way better than their predecessors were. They’re safe, they’re nippy and they’re loaded with luxury features. I believe that the South African market is turning, with the man in the street starting to realise that he doesn’t have to spend upwards of R180 000 to get a decent car. The Renault Modus is just one of the flood of excellent, but affordable small imported cars coming into the country. At the moment it’s also one of the very best.