The Renault Modus is a mini MPV produced from August 2004 to December 2012 in Valladolid, Spain. It is essentially a taller version of the Clio III and shares that car’s platform and much of its engine range.
Renault Modus at a glance
| Maker | Renault, Valladolid, Spain |
|---|---|
| Production | August 2004–December 2012 |
| Class | mini MPV |
| Based on | Renault Clio III |
| Long version | Renault Grand Modus |
| Rear seats | sliding rails with four preset positions |
| Front seat | flip-up base with a storage compartment |
| Facelift | 2007 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Renault Modus.
History of the Renault Modus
A taller Clio
The production Modus is very similar to the concept car of the same name shown at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. It is a taller version of the Clio III, sharing its platform and much of its engine range, and it was marketed as a higher-range alternative to the Twingo and Clio, offering the practicality of the larger Scénic in a smaller footprint. A longer-wheelbase version was sold as the Renault Grand Modus. The Clio platform also underpinned the Nissan Micra and its monospace relative, the Nissan Note.
Seats and storage
The car’s main selling point was its rear seating, marketed as the Triptic System: the rear seats sit on sliding rails with four preset positions. In the two rearmost positions they are configured for two people with more leg, hip and shoulder room, while in the forward positions they take three passengers and increase the boot. The base of the front passenger seat flips up to reveal a storage compartment in the Stay Put system, and an optional boot chute is a drop-down opening in the centre of the tailgate below the rear window.
Facelift and end
The facelifted Modus was launched in Europe in 2007, and production ended in December 2012.
Design and features
- Triptic rear seats: four sliding positions to favour passengers or luggage.
- Stay Put storage: the front passenger seat base flips up for a hidden compartment.
- Boot chute: an optional opening in the tailgate for long, narrow items.
- Grand Modus: a long-wheelbase version with more space.
Renault Modus versions
- Modus (2004): the original mini MPV.
- Grand Modus: long-wheelbase version.
- Facelifted Modus (2007): revised range.
The Modus was based on the Renault Clio and offered Scénic-style space below the Renault Scénic. More Renaults are in the Renault collection.
Video: Renault Modus crash test against a Volvo 940
Video by 0cnpgs0 on YouTube.
Sources
- Renault Modus, English Wikipedia: platform, seats, storage, facelift, production
