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Coming soon: Renault Rafale
Renault is going upmarket with its new hybrid Rafale, a luxury coupe-crossover packed with cutting edge tech
Words by: Dan Trent
Published on 20 June 2023 | 0 min read
Big Renaults have a mixed history here in the UK, where the brand has had greater success with smaller hatchbacks like the Clio, freshly electrified Megane
and, more recently, crossovers like the Captur. But the brand has ambitions to go upmarket, the Austral we’ve just driven with its style and efficiency while this new Rafale goes further still and launches Renault into the luxury coupe-crossover market. The first Renault designed entirely using the brand’s new styling language, you can consider this a hint of what its future models are going to look like. And with its combination of the tall crossover stance with the sloping, coupe-style roof and bold slashes cut into the bodywork it’s bang on trend for launching into a competitive sector packed with stylish rivals. Renault hopes the E-Tech branded hybrid technology that impressed us so much in the Austral will do the same in the Rafale, which launches with what looks like the same 200 horsepower combination of petrol and electric power. If it is the same system it won’t be a plug-in, though the fuel consumption we scored in the Austral suggests it’s very efficient. Indeed, in cities Renault reckons you’ll be doing over three-quarters of your driving in electric mode, even without a plug-in battery. Down the line this version will be joined by a 300 horsepower, all-wheel drive version with a more performance-oriented vibe, though Renault promises a less ‘self centred’ twist on driving pleasure that all on board can enjoy.
and, more recently, crossovers like the Captur. But the brand has ambitions to go upmarket, the Austral we’ve just driven with its style and efficiency while this new Rafale goes further still and launches Renault into the luxury coupe-crossover market. The first Renault designed entirely using the brand’s new styling language, you can consider this a hint of what its future models are going to look like. And with its combination of the tall crossover stance with the sloping, coupe-style roof and bold slashes cut into the bodywork it’s bang on trend for launching into a competitive sector packed with stylish rivals. Renault hopes the E-Tech branded hybrid technology that impressed us so much in the Austral will do the same in the Rafale, which launches with what looks like the same 200 horsepower combination of petrol and electric power. If it is the same system it won’t be a plug-in, though the fuel consumption we scored in the Austral suggests it’s very efficient. Indeed, in cities Renault reckons you’ll be doing over three-quarters of your driving in electric mode, even without a plug-in battery. Down the line this version will be joined by a 300 horsepower, all-wheel drive version with a more performance-oriented vibe, though Renault promises a less ‘self centred’ twist on driving pleasure that all on board can enjoy.
Other signature features include a huge panoramic roof, which can turn from clear to opaque at the touch of a button if the sun is getting a bit too much. You can even customise it so different areas of the roof have their own lighting arrangement – for instance those in the back can keep a clear roof above them even if those in the front prefer the shade. The glass roof also means improved headroom, which is a consideration given the sloping, coupe-inspired roofline. Even with that it looks like the Rafale will have a huge boot, so there will be room for the family and all their stuff.
The so-called ‘OpenR’ digital cockpit design of a horizontal screen in front of the driver and a vertical one in the centre is carried over from the all-electric Megane we’re currently trying on long-term test and the Austral, the Google operating system powering it designed to be as user friendly as possible and further updated for the Rafale. There’s also a head-up display (or HUD) projecting information for the driver onto the windscreen, all with the aim of keeping the tech usable without taking eyes off the road. A total of 32 driver assistance systems offer additional support, and are grouped under driving, safety and parking according to their intended use. Could this finally be Renault’s breakthrough moment into the larger, more premium end of the market? We’ll find out when we get to drive it – watch this space for more!
The so-called ‘OpenR’ digital cockpit design of a horizontal screen in front of the driver and a vertical one in the centre is carried over from the all-electric Megane we’re currently trying on long-term test and the Austral, the Google operating system powering it designed to be as user friendly as possible and further updated for the Rafale. There’s also a head-up display (or HUD) projecting information for the driver onto the windscreen, all with the aim of keeping the tech usable without taking eyes off the road. A total of 32 driver assistance systems offer additional support, and are grouped under driving, safety and parking according to their intended use. Could this finally be Renault’s breakthrough moment into the larger, more premium end of the market? We’ll find out when we get to drive it – watch this space for more!
