RENAULT has announced that its new Modus models will go on sale next month priced from £9,650.

The Modus and Grand Modus models, which are available to order now, are available in two trim levels, Expression and Dynamique with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines.

The Grand Modus, which is priced from £10,250 to £13,400, has an extra 16 centimetres in length (4,034mm), generous luggage space (up to 410 litres), and sliding 60:40 split or fold-flat rear bench. Renault says the new Modus combines compact dimensions and city car agility with an elegant new design and benchmark comfort. It says the car is aimed at multi-car households in search of a small, but practical, car.

Both the Grand Modus and New Modus are based on the B platform shared by the Renault-Nissan Alliance, with a range of engines that are high-performance and fuel-efficient. They include the much-acclaimed 1.2 TCE (Turbo Control Efficiency) 100 and the dCi 68, 86 and 106.

In addition to its outstanding CO2 emission performance, Renault says the new Modus range is 'eco-engineered', as demonstrated by its instrument panel that drew accolades in 2005 for using 4.5kg of recycled plastic.

The new Modus is available with three petrol engines, 1.2 16V 75, 1.2 TCE 100 and 1.6 VVT 111 Automatic, and two diesel engines, dCi 68 and 86.

Prices start from £9,650 for the Expression 1.2 16V 75, rising to £12,550 for the Dynamique dCi 86 Quickshift5. Grand Modus prices start from £10,250 for the Expression 1.2 16V 75, rising to £13,400 for the Dynamique dCi 106.