RENAULT captured the spirit of the small SUV market when it launched the Captur back in 2013 - so much so that it has become the best-selling model in its class across Europe with sales of 1.2 million units.

Now the Captur has been reinvented without losing the unique identity that made the original such a success.

Built on the same platform as the latest Clio hatchback it has been designed from the outset to accommodate an electric powertrain and the latest electronic architecture and offers the possibility to integrate new autonomous driving technologies. It is expected to go on sale later this year.

It's 11 centimetres longer than the outgoing model and with a higher waistline and while basic elements of the design have been retained, the new Captur comes with a wider grille, LED headlights as standard, tough-looking front and rear protection skid plates, chunky protective mouldings that run the entire length of the lower body and prominent wheel arch extensions.

Like the new Clio, the latest Captur gets a smart cockpit layout featuring digital instrumentation, a floating sonsole and an optional 9.3-inch infotainment screen - the biggest in the class - that's angled slightly towards the driver. The increased length of the new model provides a small increase in rear legroom and a significant 81 litre increase in boot space

Power will be provided by Renault's familiar range of 1.0 and 1.3 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel engines, while next year will see the addition of a plug-in hybrid version which Renault claims will deliver the longest driving range in electric mode and the best all-round performance in its class.

A host of the latest driver assistance and safety features will be available, dependent on trim level but new features include the option of a 360° camera and active emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, which are both firsts in the Renault range.