Renault Modus

Renault Modus: which version to buy

If the question is which Renault Modus to take, the numbers split the field cleanly. For the restyled Compact Van (April 2008–November 2012), the 1.2 MT at 101 hp is the strongest case on paper: 11.2 s to 100 km/h, 182 km/h, mixed 5.9 L/100 km, kerb 1090 kg (10.79 kg/hp), 87.9 hp per litre.

If the question is which Renault Modus to take, the numbers split the field cleanly. For the restyled Compact Van (April 2008–November 2012), the 1.2 MT at 101 hp is the strongest case on paper: 11.2 s to 100 km/h, 182 km/h, mixed 5.9 L/100 km, kerb 1090 kg (10.79 kg/hp), 87.9 hp per litre. The 1.6 MT at 110 hp is 0.9 s quicker (10.3 s) but 80 kg heavier and 0.9 L/100 km thirstier on the mixed cycle. Diesel buyers who want the lowest measured mixed figure in that restyling should take 1.5 MT5, 1.5 MT6, or 1.5 EDC at 85 hp: 4.5 L/100 km mixed, 200 Nm. The original 1 generation (August 2004–March 2008) is a different bargain: it is the only place to get 1.4 MT (98 hp), 1.5 AT (82 hp), and the 1.5 MT at 105 hp with 240 Nm and a 6-speed Manual. All 21 listed versions are FWD Compact Van; every tank is 49 L; every ground clearance is 120 mm. Wheel sizes are not measured.

Generations compared: what the restyling actually changed

Renault Modus is listed as two catalogue generations, both Compact Van.

1 generation ran 2004-08-01 to 2008-03-31: 9 versions. Unique to this generation: 1.4 MT (98 hp), 1.6 MT (88 hp), 1.5 MT (68 hp), 1.5 MT (82 hp), 1.5 AT (82 hp), 1.5 MT (105 hp). Gasoline range is 75–110 hp. Diesel range is 68–105 hp. The only Automatic Diesel in the whole model is here.

1 generation, restyling ran 2008-04-01 to 2012-11-30: 12 versions in the data (the generation field states 13). Unique to this generation: 1.2 MT (100 hp and 101 hp), 1.2 EDC (80 hp), 1.5 MT (70 hp and 88 hp), 1.5 MT5, 1.5 MT6, 1.5 EDC (85 hp and 88 hp). Gasoline range is 75–110 hp. Diesel range is 70–88 hp. Robotic gearboxes appear only here.

Same-name carry-overs and what the restyling did to them:

The restyling did not add a faster petrol than 110 hp. It dropped the 105 hp Diesel (240 Nm) and the 82 hp 1.5 AT. It added Robotic 1.2 EDC and 1.5 EDC, plus the 85 hp trio 1.5 MT5 / 1.5 MT6 / 1.5 EDC.

Engines and specs

Every engine in the data is 4 Inline, Front, transverse. Gasoline uses 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, Distributed injection (multi-point), fuel 92. Diesel uses 2 valves per cylinder, boost Turbo, fuel Diesel; fuel system is not measured.

1 generation, restyling

On the 1149 cc Gasoline, specific output runs 65.3 hp/L (1.2 MT 75 hp), 69.6 hp/L (1.2 EDC 80 hp), 87.0 hp/L (1.2 MT 100 hp), 87.9 hp/L (1.2 MT 101 hp). The 101 hp 1.2 MT makes 9 hp more than the 100 hp 1.2 MT from the same 1149 cc and the same 145 Nm @ 3000. The 1598 cc 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT sit at 68.8 hp/L — below the 100/101 hp 1.2s — with compression 10 and bore × stroke 79.5 × 80.5 (those two figures are not measured on the 100/101 hp 1.2 MT).

On the 1461 cc Diesel in restyling, specific output is 47.9 hp/L (70 hp), 58.2 hp/L (85 hp), 60.2 hp/L (88 hp). Compression is 17.9 on 70/85 hp and 18.8 on 88 hp. Bore × stroke is 76 × 80.5. The 85 hp engines peak 15 hp later in the torque curve than the 70 hp (1900 vs 1700 rpm) and add 40 Nm.

1 generation

1.4 MT is 70.5 hp/L (1390 cc, compression 10, 79.5 × 70). Original 1.6 MT 88 hp is the weakest 1598 cc Gasoline at 55.1 hp/L — 22 hp and 11 Nm below the 110 hp 1.6 MT from the same displacement, compression 10, and 79.5 × 80.5. Original Diesel 68/82 hp use 76 × 85.5; 1.5 AT 82 hp uses 76 × 80.5 and compression 18.8. Bore and stroke on 1.5 MT 105 hp are not measured.

Performance, mpg, and economy

Measured 0–100 km/h in restyling spans 10.3 s (1.6 MT 110 hp) to 15.7 s (1.5 MT 70 hp). In 1 generation it spans 10.3 s (1.6 MT 110 hp) to 15.9 s (1.5 MT 68 hp). The Automatic costs 2.0 s versus the matching Manual on restyling 1.6 AT vs 1.6 MT (12.3 vs 10.3) with the same 188 km/h; in 1 generation the same pair is also 12.3 vs 10.3 s, but top speed drops 4 km/h on 1.6 AT (184 vs 188).

Restyling Gasoline mixed consumption: 1.2 EDC 5.6 L/100 km is the lowest; 1.2 MT 75/100/101 hp all 5.9; 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT 6.8. City: 1.2 EDC 7.1; the three 1.2 MT 7.6; both 1.6s 9.0. Highway: 1.2 EDC 4.8; 1.2 MT 75 hp 4.9; 1.2 MT 100/101 hp 5.0; both 1.6s 5.6.

Restyling Diesel mixed: 1.5 MT5, 1.5 MT6, 1.5 EDC 85 hp at 4.5 L/100 km; 1.5 MT 70 hp at 4.7. City 5.2 vs 5.6; highway 4.1 vs 4.2. 1.5 MT 88 hp and 1.5 EDC 88 hp: city, highway, and mixed are not measured. Top speed on 1.5 EDC 88 hp is not measured; 0–100 is 14.8 s — 1.8 s slower than 1.5 MT 88 hp (13.0 s) at the same 88 hp and 200 Nm.

Original Diesel mixed: 1.5 MT 82 hp and 1.5 AT 82 hp 4.5 L/100 km; 1.5 MT 68 hp and 1.5 MT 105 hp both 4.7. The 105 hp Diesel matches restyling 1.2 MT 101 hp at 11.2 s to 100 km/h, with 240 Nm versus 145 Nm, and mixed 4.7 versus 5.9 (−1.2 L/100 km).

CO2 is not measured on any version. Eco class is not measured on any version.

With the 49 L tank and mixed figures that exist: restyling 1.5 MT5 / 1.5 MT6 / 1.5 EDC 85 hp imply 49 / 4.5 × 100 ≈ 1089 km mixed; 1.5 MT 70 hp ≈ 1043 km; 1.2 EDC ≈ 875 km; 1.2 MT 5.9 L mixed ≈ 831 km; 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT ≈ 721 km. Those distances are arithmetic on tank and mixed consumption, not a separate measurement.

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance is 120 mm on every version. Tank is 49 L on every version. Wheel sizes are not measured on any version.

Front suspension is Independent, spring on every version. Rear suspension English label in most rows is Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem; Independent, spring appears on restyling 1.5 MT 88 hp, restyling 1.5 EDC 88 hp, and original 1.5 AT 82 hp.

Front brakes English labels: Disc on restyling 1.6s, 101 hp 1.2 MT, and Diesels 70/85/88 hp; Ventilated disc on restyling 1.2 MT 75/100 hp, 1.2 EDC, and every 1 generation version. Rear: Drum on the light petrols and the weakest Diesels; Disc on restyling 1.5 MT / 1.5 EDC 88 hp and on original 1.4 MT, both 1.6s, 1.5 MT 82/105 hp, and 1.5 AT.

Kerb range, restyling: 1060 kg (1.2 MT 100 hp) to 1195 kg (1.5 MT5, 1.5 MT6, 1.5 EDC 85 hp). Gross: 1610–1675 kg. Kerb on 1.5 EDC 88 hp is not measured; gross is 1675 kg.

Kerb range, 1 generation: 1080 kg (1.2 MT 75 hp) to 1255 kg (1.5 MT 68 hp). Gross: 1610–1690 kg (1.5 MT 105 hp is the heaviest gross).

kg per hp, restyling (where kerb is measured): 1.2 MT 100 hp 10.60; 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT 10.64; 1.2 MT 101 hp 10.79; 1.2 EDC 13.62; 1.5 MT 88 hp 13.47; 1.5 MT5/MT6/EDC 85 hp 14.06; 1.2 MT 75 hp 14.40; 1.5 MT 70 hp 16.86.

kg per hp, 1 generation: 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT 110 hp 11.32; 1.5 MT 105 hp 11.43; 1.4 MT 11.84; 1.6 MT 88 hp 13.30; 1.2 MT 75 hp 14.40; 1.5 AT 82 hp 14.15; 1.5 MT 82 hp 14.45; 1.5 MT 68 hp 18.46 — the highest (worst) in the model.

The restyling 1.6 MT 110 hp is 75 kg lighter than the original 1.6 MT 110 hp at the same 10.3 s and 188 km/h, so kg/hp improves from 11.32 to 10.64. The restyling 70 hp Diesel is 75 kg lighter than the original 68 hp Diesel.

Which version to choose

Want the shortest 0–100 in either generation. Take 1.6 MT 110 hp. Restyling: 10.3 s, 188 km/h, 1170 kg, mixed 6.8. Original: same 10.3 s and 188 km/h, 1245 kg. The restyling car is 75 kg lighter for the same sprint; that is the only measured gain on this pair. You pay 0.9 L/100 km mixed versus restyling 1.2 MT 101 hp for 0.9 s and 6 km/h.

Want petrol punch without the 1.6’s 6.8 mixed. Restyling 1.2 MT 101 hp: 87.9 hp/L, 11.2 s, 182 km/h, mixed 5.9, 1090 kg. Restyling 1.2 MT 100 hp: 1 hp less, same 145 Nm, 11.4 s (+0.2 s), same 182 km/h, same 5.9 mixed, 30 kg lighter (1060 vs 1090). If the two 1.2s are on the table, 100 hp is the lightest Modus in the data; 101 hp is 0.2 s quicker.

Must have Automatic on petrol. Only 1.6 AT 110 hp exists. Restyling: 12.3 s, 188 km/h, 1170 kg. Original: 12.3 s, 184 km/h, 1245 kg. Versus 1.6 MT, Automatic 4-speed costs 2.0 s; mixed consumption is the same 6.8. There is no Automatic 1.2.

Must have Robotic. Restyling only. Petrol: 1.2 EDC 80 hp, 15.2 s, 167 km/h, mixed 5.6 — the lowest Gasoline mixed figure, 0.3 L/100 km under 1.2 MT. Versus 75 hp 1.2 MT you gain 5 hp and 3 Nm, lose 1.5 s (15.2 vs 13.7). Diesel: 1.5 EDC 85 hp matches 1.5 MT5 on 14.8 s, 171 km/h, mixed 4.5; 1.5 EDC 88 hp matches 14.8 s but top speed, consumption, and kerb are not measured, while 1.5 MT 88 hp is 13.0 s. If you want the 88 hp Diesel and a two-pedal car, 1.5 EDC 88 hp is the only row — with those holes in the sheet.

Lowest Diesel mixed in restyling, and every figure filled in. 1.5 MT5 (Manual 5) or 1.5 MT6 (Manual 6): both 85 hp, 200 Nm, 14.8 s, 171 km/h, city 5.2, highway 4.1, mixed 4.5, 1195 kg. The 6-speed does not change the measured performance or economy versus the 5-speed in this data; the extra ratio is the only listed difference. 1.5 EDC 85 hp is the same numbers with Robotic 5.

Need more Diesel torque than 200 Nm. Only original 1.5 MT 105 hp: 240 Nm (+40 Nm vs any restyling Diesel), Manual 6, 11.2 s, 186 km/h, mixed 4.7, 1200 kg. That is 4.5 s faster than restyling 1.5 MT 70 hp and 3.6 s faster than the 85 hp Diesels, at +0.2 L/100 km mixed versus those 4.5 figures. It is also the only Diesel that matches the 101 hp petrol’s 11.2 s.

City Diesel Automatic. Only original 1.5 AT 82 hp: Automatic 4, 13.0 s, 171 km/h, mixed 4.5, 1160 kg — 25 kg lighter than original 1.5 MT 82 hp, and 0.4 s quicker (13.0 vs 13.4), with +3 km/h. Compression 18.8 versus 17.9 on the 82 hp Manual.

Avoid if the metric is kg/hp or 0–100. Original 1.5 MT 68 hp: 18.46 kg/hp, 15.9 s, 156 km/h. Restyling 1.5 MT 70 hp is the same job with +2 hp, −75 kg, 15.7 s, 158 km/h, still 16.86 kg/hp. Original 1.6 MT 88 hp (12.5 s, 175 km/h, 55.1 hp/L) sits 22 hp below the 110 hp 1.6 MT at identical mixed 6.8; take the 110 hp unless you specifically need that 88 hp row.

1.4 MT (98 hp, 11.4 s, 177 km/h, mixed 6.7, 1160 kg) exists only in 1 generation. Versus original 1.2 MT 75 hp it is 2.1 s quicker and 14 km/h faster at +0.7 L/100 km mixed. Versus original 1.6 MT 110 hp it is 1.1 s slower, 11 km/h slower, 85 kg lighter, and 0.1 L/100 km lower mixed. It is the middle petrol of that generation, not a restyling option.

Problems and reliability. The data do not list faults, service intervals, or reliability scores. What can be said without leaving the sheet: every version is FWD; Gasoline is 92 with multi-point injection; Diesel boost is Turbo; eco class and CO2 are not measured; wheel sizes are not measured. Duplicate names must be split by power: two restyling 1.2 MT (75 / 100 / 101 hp — three rows), two restyling 1.5 MT (70 and 88 hp), two restyling 1.5 EDC (85 and 88 hp), two original 1.6 MT (88 and 110 hp), three original 1.5 MT (68 / 82 / 105 hp).

Short map. Restyling 1.2 MT 101 hp — best petrol balance. Restyling 1.2 MT 100 hp — lightest. Restyling 1.6 MT 110 hp — fastest 0–100. Restyling 1.6 AT — only petrol Automatic, 2.0 s slower. Restyling 1.5 MT5 or 1.5 MT6 — lowest filled-in Diesel mixed. Original 1.5 MT 105 hp — most Diesel torque and the only Diesel that runs with the quick petrols. Original 1.5 AT — only Diesel Automatic. Original 1.4 MT — the 1390 cc row that the restyling deleted.