The second-generation Renault Captur, due later this year, will be a much bigger step in design to its predecessor compared to the new and outgoing Clio, said design boss Laurens van den Acker.

The Captur, which when it launched was one of the first in a now-saturated small SUV segment, has remained at the top of the sales chart in Europe despite its age.

Van den Acker said the new model will be focused on everything: “technology, interior, exterior”.

He continued: “The Captur is in the most dynamic market segment in Europe. The car industry has become so competitive – if your product is not 100% perfect, you are going to have a very tough life.”

The Captur will launch with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid variants. It is the second, following the Clio, in an onslaught of new hybrids in the car maker’s range. It will use an 89bhp petrol engine mated to a 40bhp electric motor and 9,8kWh battery, which promises an electric-only range of 25 to 30 miles.

The Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008 rival is due to arrive in the middle of next year, a few months after its platform-sharing supermini sibling: the fifth-generation Clio.

The latest spy shots have given a glimpse of the upcoming crossover's design, which despite the extensive disguise of the test mule, shows how the Captur will evolve.

The familiar curvy front end with an oversized Renault badge is clearly visible, although the high bonnet line takes inspiration from the larger Kadjar SUV. A more steeply rising waistline with a broader shoulderline can be seen behind the camouflage, as can a pinched rear window and sloping roof.