RENAULT intends to up the stakes in the supermini line-up, introducing what must be one of the roomiest small cars on the market.

It is called the Modus, not the most flattering of names, but this big-hearted little 'un is all space, providing the best in its class for headroom in both front and back, with plenty of knee and elbow room as well.

However, Modus will not be operandi until the autumn, closer to which more information, especially about engine performance and price, will be announced.

Meantime, what is known is that Modus will sit just above the Clio, and seen as complementary to it. It is similar in size on the outside but roomier inside, helped by the rather box-like architecture that has been used to build it. There is plenty of glass surround, and the car's flowing lines are emphasised by a design line that runs along the side of the car from the door mirrors to the door handles and as far as the tail lights.

Modus designers have paid a lot of attention to the choice of interior materials, fabrics, colours and mating surfaces. Softness is the key, from the leather-covered instrument panel to the soft-touch paint finish of the central faade. Contrast colours are another feature, the bottom of the instrument panel and the door interiors are, for example, in light grey leather, while the dashboard and gear lever knob have medium grey leather. Seats feature a landscape motif, which is said to help provide a range of colours in a number of subtle shades.

Designers are banking on the landscape motif sitting well with the panoramic sky views offered through the translucent roof - a sort of feet-on-the-ground head-in-the-clouds effect.

At 3792mm long, the Modus rivals most classic supermini hatchbacks, but beats them with its cabin space, such as 226mm of knee room in the back and rear elbowroom of 1345mm.

It is also 1589mm tall, and also has a thin centre door panel to provide plenty of door space for getting in or out.

Modus also gives occupants the chance to personalise their space. The main innovation is the Triptic split-fold sliding rear bench seat with a folding middle seat. The bench can slid up to 170mm backwards or forwards and can provide up to four different positions, and can be used by two or three passengers. The two-seater layout can be adapted to the four positions, but in three-seater mode, position layout is halved. The switch from two to three seats is quite novel, yet simple to achieve: the two seats can be easily separated, and the central cushion then folds down to form the third seat.

There are also side head restraints, wider than the central one, providing children and adults alike the chance to adjust their seat for height and weight.

Juggling around with the seats can also add to the boot room, and reaching this space from outside is made easier by the split-opening tailgate. In the case of the Modus it is the bottom half that opens.

The Modus also has its own specially-designed bike rack, called the Velofix, which can be folded away and carried in the boot, regardless of the back seat lay-out. Capable of carrying two bikes, the Velofix attachment system is built into the car's rear bumper and chassis.

Power is provided via an 115bhp 1.6-litre 16V engine, and equipment levels include cornering lamps and self-adjusting double distance xenon headlights.

Back inside, there is a satin-finish chrome finish to dials, steering wheel, door handles and handbrake knob as well as the ventilation controls. The instrument panel also carries automatic climate control dials and audio/CD player.

Updated: 16:40 Thursday, March 11, 2004