Renault teases new coupe SUV flagship

There’s a brand new wind blowing by way of the Renault vary, and it’s bringing a downpour of crossovers.

Renault’s new flagship might be a crossover coupe to be generally known as Rafale, which is French for gust, in addition to the identify of a Nineteen Thirties fighter jet made by Caudron Renault.

From the reduce traces of the bonnet, and the form of the facet home windows, the Rafale appears to be like to be the car snapped by our spy pictures company again in April this 12 months.

The brand new Rafale rides on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s CMF-CD that already serves as the idea of the Austral five-seat crossover, and the lengthy wheelbase Espace crossover, which is out there with both 5 or seven seats.

Like its lesser siblings, the Rafale appears to function the corporate’s signature C-shaped headlights, albeit with completely different graphics. The Rafale additionally appears to be like as if it can have utterly distinctive sheet steel, and extra expressive tail-lights.

In keeping with the Renault, the Rafale will use a range E-Tech hybrid drivetrains.

At launch the Espace will accessible with  146kW E-Tech Hybrid setup that includes a 96kW/205Nm 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired with a 50kW/205Nm electrical drive motor and a secondary 25kW/50Nm motor to begin the engine and assist shift gears. The electrical motors are linked as much as 2kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Within the Austral there’s additionally a much less highly effective 118kW model of the E-Tech Hybrid drivetrain accessible.

For these unwilling to make the leap right into a full hybrid mannequin, the Austral can be outfitted with a range gentle hybrid petrol engines: a 96kW 1.2-litre, and a 1.3-litre with both 103kW or 116kW.

Given the flagship nature of the Rafale, these gentle hybrid drivetrains most likely gained’t be accessible on the brand new crossover, at the very least initially.

In keeping with Autocar, the Rafale might be made in right-hand drive in contrast to the extra sensible Espace, which is a left-hand drive-only proposition for now.

The British journal additionally understands there might be a Espirit Alpine model with bigger wheels, sportier styling elements, and extra luxurious inside trim.

It’s unclear what relationship, if any, the Rafale has with automobiles being collectively developed by Renault Korea — previously Renault Samsung — and Geely.

Geely purchased a 34 per cent stake in Renault Korea in mid-2022 as a part of wide-ranging partnership between the 2 companies in China and South Korea.

In China, Geely will engineer and produce automobiles for Renault to promote on this planet’s largest auto market. Whereas in South Korea, Renault Korea will construct automobiles primarily based on the Compact Modular Structure developed by Geely subsidiary Volvo.

Rumours point out these Korean-built fashions might be extensively primarily based on the Lynk & Co vary bought in China and elements of Europe.