Oui! Renault is readying to unleash a new performance model in the form of the incoming 300 hp Rafale E-Tech 4x4.
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It’s been a while since we could enjoy a hot Renault, with the 300 hp Megane R.S having departed the French firm’s line-up in 2021.
But all that is about to change when the all-wheel drive, ‘E-Tech’ plug-in hybrid version of the recently-launched Rafale SUV-coupe arrives in the autumn of this year.
The PHEV Rafale 4x4 will be capable of sprinting from 0-62 mph in 6.4 seconds. That’s impressive, and not a million miles away from the 5.7-second acceleration time posted by the last Megane R.S.
It’s also quicker than the most potent version of the hybrid-engined Cupra Formentor, a car that’ll be a close competitor.
Renault also handed the 300 hp Rafale to its track-focused Alpine team to hone the chassis, which means it should handle as well as it goes.
And, unlike the Megane R.S, the Rafale 4x4 is also capable of travelling up to 62 miles courtesy of a 22 kWh rechargeable battery.
The powertrain itself combines a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with three electric motors. There’s one electric motor on the front axle, another on the rear axle, and a secondary one acts as a High-voltage Starter Generator (HSG) of the sort you typically see in a mild-hybrid car.
All of that creates power of 300 hp while all-wheel drive is standard-fit. Using a typical 7.4 kW home charger, you’ll be able to replenish the energy in the battery back to 100% in around 2 hours 55 mins.
And remember that the regular, non-hot Rafale is a self-charging full-hybrid - as opposed to this plug-in hybrid - with lesser power of 200 hp.
The Renault Rafale E-Tech 4x4 300 hp will be available in two trims - Esprit Alpine and Atelier Alpine.
It’s the range-topping Atelier Alpine model that gets the Alpine-tweaked sports chassis set-up. Renault talks about a unique ‘pooling of talents’ that makes it possible for Rafale drivers to enjoy the real ‘Alpine experience’.
You can expect uprated dampers, springs, jounce bumpers, front and rear anti-roll bars and 21-inch wheels. There’s self-adjusting active suspension with specific Agility Control modes.
Torque distribution can vary instantaneously from 100% for the front wheels to 100% at the rear wheels.
And the Atelier Alpine Rafale also gets superior styling, with Satin Summit Blue bodywork, a Starry Black floating spoiler, special 'Chicane' rims, and a swankier interior.
All in all, then, the Renault Rafale E-Tech 4x4 300 hp should offer the best of all worlds - providing relaxed, silent EV running on the one hand, and adrenaline-inducing bursts of pace on the other.
Grégory Launay, Revenue Leader, Renault Rafale, said: “Rafale embraces two key aspects of Renault’s heritage. First, sporting prowess, with high-performance saloons such as the R21 Turbo and Safrane Baccara Biturbo, and second, a capacity for innovation, with our people-carriers, turbochargers and E-Tech hybrid powertrains.”
UK prices are announced in June. And we can’t wait!
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