RENAULT's rather funky supermini Modus has been enjoying huge success since its launch last September, with more than 8,000 sold.

Now for those who want something chic and powerful, the Modus Initiale brings a touch of luxury to the supermini sector and a new more powerful Euro IV compliant engine for the range, a 1.5-litre dCi 106hp, which comes complete with an all-new six-speed manual gearbox.

The new model costs from £13,550 for the 1.4-litre 16V 98hp, rising to £15,055 for the 1.6-litre 16V 113hp automatic.

Modus Initiale follows in the Renault tradition of small luxury cars like the Renault 5 Monaco and Bacarra and Clio Initiale.

The word luxury and supermini do not often go hand in hand. However, Modus Initiale customers will find that they will actually get more standard equipment than a Jaguar XJ6 3.0-litre costing more than £39,000! Out of a list of 26 pieces of equipment, only three are not standard on Modus Initiale, compared to eight on the Jaguar.

Modus Initiale is based on the high-spec existing Privilgetrim, but is bolstered with a wide range of additional standard features.

Interior trim includes beige leather Initiale upholstery and door panel inserts. Another comfort feature is climate control fitted as standard.

Exterior features include metallic paint, 16-inch Initiale alloy wheels and exclusive Initiale doorsill kickplates and badging on the front door rubbing strips.

Also included are cruise control, speed limiter, carpet mats and Xenon double distance headlamps together with headlamp wash and carpet mats.

Modus is a car full of innovation with its Triptic multi-adaptable rear seating, which allows owners to switch from three to two seats simply and easily. Another of its features is the car's boot chute, which comes as standard on Modus Initiale, while it is an option on most other Modus models.

The boot chute is a split-opening tailgate which can be opened as a complete door as normal, or alternatively you can just open a section of the lower half - reminiscent of the original Mini -- which is hinged at the bottom to rest loads on if necessary and also allows easier access to the boot if you are stuck in a confined space.

Power comes from a smooth and quiet 1.5-litre dCi engine, with its six-speed manual gearbox developed jointly by Renault and Nissan. The 106hp version has a 0-62mph figure of 11.2 seconds, which is a full 1.8 seconds faster than the 1.5-litre dCi 86hp which sits just below it in the range.

Delivering an impressive 106hp at 4,000rpm, and torque up by 20 per cent compared to the 86hp engine from 200Nm to 240Nm at 2,000rpm, Modus 1.5 dCi 106 offers a maximum speed of 116 mph.

The addition of a sixth gear means improved urban fuel consumption of 50.4mpg, an extra urban figure of 67.3mpg and a combined figure of 60.1mpg.

The new 106hp engine will also be available in the Dynamique and Privilge trim levels.

The Modus 1.5 dCi 106 will be available to order from the middle of this month in three trim levels, Dynamique at £12,850 -- which includes air conditioning as standard -- as well as Privilge at £13,450 and the new Initiale trim at £15,150.

By the end of February, Renault had sold more than 92,000 Modus cars in Western Europe since its launch last September.

Dealers: Dixon Renault, Clifton Moorgate, Clifton Moor (01904 667300); Barker Smith, The Showroom, Welham Road, Norton (01653 693383).

Updated: 11:39 Friday, May 06, 2005