This is the brand new Renault Rafale - and the eye-catching coupe-SUV crossover is available to order now.
Renault isn’t mucking about this month.
We’ve already seen the launch of the Symbioz, a family-sized crossover that arrives properly in July of this year.
And now the Rafale has stepped into the limelight as Renault officially opens the order books on it - with leasing prices to follow shortly.
It’s a key car for Renault, being described as the brand’s ‘new flagship’, sitting ahead of the Austral and the fully-electric Scenic E-Tech.
The Rafale is a full hybrid - aka, one that never needs to be plugged in and which recharges itself via regenerative braking - with very decent power of 200 hp and which can return up to 60 miles to the gallon. On a full tank of fuel, you’ll be able to travel up to 683 miles.
That’s courtesy of a 1.2-litre petrol engine and two electric motors - the main one powered by a 1.7 kWh battery, and the smaller motor being a High-voltage Starter Generator (HSG) that starts the engine and powers gear changes in the clutchless dog box, the latter of which is derived from F1 tech.
All of this means you’ll be able to accelerate from 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds, which is brisk.
What’s more, an even more powerful plug-in hybrid Rafale is also on the way. It gets all-wheel drive capabilities as well as power of 300 hp. To put that figure into perspective, it’s almost as potent as the latest, range-topping CUPRA Formentor and it’ll make the Rafale the most powerful car in Renault’s range when it arrives.
The regular Rafale also features ‘4CONTROL’ four-wheel-steering to boost handling and agility at high and low speeds.
When it comes to the design of the Rafale, Renault describes it as having a ‘raised fastback-style body’ that sits in the ‘D-segment’ class of vehicles - ie, large family cars. It’ll compete with the likes of the Citroen C5 X and the Peugeot 408, as well as the Audi Q5 Sportback.
And the great thing about the Rafale is that it will come absolutely loaded with kit as standard, even on entry-level models.
The base ‘Techno’ grade boasts 20-inch alloys, ambient lighting, dual-zone air con, wireless phone charging, a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen that comes with Google built in, a 12.3-inch digital cockpit behind the steering wheel, parking sensors front and rear and a reversing camera.
Standard safety tech also includes everything from adaptive cruise control and active emergency braking to blind spot warning and driver attention alert.
The mid-range ‘Techno Esprit Alpine’ grade adds extras like Matrix LED headlights, Alcantara upholstery, heated front seats and heated steering wheel, and a 9.3-inch head-up display.
Meanwhile the top-rung ‘Iconic Esprit Alpine’ model features an uprated Harman Kardon sound system, hands-free parking, a 360-degree camera, and Renault’s ‘Solarbay’ panoramic sunroof that goes from clear to cloudy at the touch of a button.
And where does the word ‘Rafale’ come from?
A Renault spokesperson explains: “Rafale is a French word that derives from natural energy – wind – and is also an aeronautical reference. Aviation has played an important part in Renault’s history: the Caudron-Renault Rafale, which flew at a record-breaking 277 mph in 1934, is only one example.”
The Renault Rafale is priced from £38,195 to buy outright.
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