Renault presents a new 160 hp 1.8-tech full-hybrid engine with a 1.4 kWh battery, which will power the Captur and Symbioz. The advantages include increased power, enhanced responsiveness, and improved fuel economy, with CO2 emissions of 98 g/km for Symbioz and 99 g/km for Captur.
In the same way as with the previous generation, the series-parallel hybrid architecture of this new powertrain combines two electric motors (a 36 kW e-motor and a 15 kW HSG – High-Voltage Starter Generator) with a 1.8 l 4-cylinder petrol engine of 80 kW or 109 hp (69 kW and 94 hp for the previous engine) mated to a new intelligent multi-mode clutchless dog box and a 1.4 kWh battery. “The dog box delivers fast, precise gear changes with minimum power loss. It is also simpler from a mechanical standpoint, making it more reliable,” says Renault.
New injection, bigger battery
A new direct-injection system has replaced the indirect injection of the previous generation. As a result, fuel injection is more precise, and fuel vaporization is optimized at a pressure of 350 bars, resulting in greater precision and efficiency in combustion. This improves engine performance, reduces emissions, and contributes to lower fuel consumption, promises Renault.
Acceleration is, therefore, more dynamic. Captur now takes 8.9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph, compared with 10.6 seconds previously. Symbioz also improves its 0 to 100 kph acceleration time, reducing it from 10.6 seconds to 9.1 seconds previously.
The new hybrid powertrain has a 1.4 kWh battery (230V), compared with 1.2 kWh for the previous version. The increased battery capacity increases vehicle range in electric mode, optimising fuel efficiency and providing greater flexibility for drivers over urban journeys or short distances.
Fuel consumption is also optimized by a regenerative braking function, combined with the high self-charging capacity of the 1.4 kWh (230V) battery and the efficiency of the E-Tech system. Under the bonnet of Captur and Symbioz, the new full hybrid E-Tech powertrain now consumes 4.3 l/100 km, compared with 4.7 litres for the previous version.
The dog box transmission has been maintained: the dog clutch system replaces both a sprocket and a synchronizer ring in a clutchless layout, featuring fewer friction parts for high efficiency. The gearbox was then fine-tuned for faster, smoother gear changes. The new powertrain also boosts towing capacity from 750 kg to 1,000 kg.
Hybrid specialist
Renault has sold over 750,000 vehicles equipped with this full-hybrid E-Tech powertrain since its launch in 2021. The brand currently ranks second for hybrid (HEV) sales in Europe, with hybrid cars increasing their share of the sales mix by 7.8% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
“This trend underlines growing customer interest in hybrid technology as a solution for the energy and economic transition,” states the car company. “For customers who are not yet ready to make the switch to an EV, full hybrid E-Tech powertrains deliver all the benefits of electric motors: silent start-up, all-electric driving at low speeds in and around cities, as well as battery regeneration through deceleration and braking, for even greater driveability.”
The Renault and Captur models are not the first to benefit from the new hybrid drivetrain. For once, this ‘privilege’ was reserved for Dacia, where the E-Tech full-hybrid version of the all-new Bigster SUV utilizes the same drivetrain.
The new versions of Captur and Symbioz are now ready for order in Belgium, with the first deliveries expected in September. The Captur Full Hybrid E-Tech starts at €29,100, the Symbioz with the same engine begins at €30,600.
