Debuting at the Paris Air Show, the all-new hybrid Renault Rafale is an ode to French aeronautical history and a preview of what the storied manufacturer has to offer in its most premium products. Here is what it is all about!
Renault has proudly introduced its latest flagship SUV; the Rafale, at the Paris Air Show. A fitting stage to unveil its latest offering, Rafale is a French word that evokes wind and was bestowed upon the Caudron-Renault Rafale aeroplane, which flew at a record-breaking 445 km/h in 1934. The latest model seeks to do just that too, rewrite the history book by incorporating Renault’s cutting-edge design philosophy and technological advancements.
The coupe-style SUV shares its mechanical foundation with the Austral model and will exclusively feature E-Tech hybrid powertrains. Although built upon the CMF-CD platform shared by its counterparts, the Austral and Espace, the Rafale possess a distinct and captivating appearance, characterized by unique body panels. While the Scenic Vision concept and the facelifted Clio preceded it, the Rafale represents Renault’s inaugural production vehicle that fully embodies their new visual language, masterfully guided by Gilles Vidal, the former design chief of Peugeot.
At the front, the Rafale showcases arrow-shaped LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and Peugeot-style LED headlights. Positioned below the sleek nose, the grille incorporates an aerodynamically optimized pattern, reminiscent of Renault’s iconic diamond emblem. This design element not only enhances the vehicle’s aesthetic appeal but also facilitates efficient airflow and directs cooling to the lower bumper intake.
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Moving to the rear, the coupe-styled SUV is adorned with Y-shaped LED tail lights that accentuate its visual appeal. Additionally, an integrated spoiler graces the tailgate, accompanied by a prominent roof spoiler and a sleek rear bumper cleverly concealing the exhaust pipes, resulting in a clean and sophisticated rear appearance.
Enhancing its overall presence are the stylish 20-inch alloy wheels on which the Rafale gracefully rides. Renault offers an array of captivating colour options, including the new White Pearl and Alpine Blue shades, alongside the classic Flame Red, Diamond Black, and gloss Ceramic Grey choices.
Stepping inside the Rafale, one is immediately greeted by a familiar dashboard and OpenR digital cockpit, carried over from its closely related Austral and Espace siblings. This means that the coupe-SUV boasts a 12,3-inch digital instrument cluster, accompanied by a 12-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, with an available 9,3-inch head-up display further enhancing the driver’s convenience.
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The sport seats in the Espirit Alpine trim are exquisitely upholstered in Alcantara, featuring tri-colour stitching and illuminated Alpine emblems on the seatbacks. Renault has thoughtfully incorporated dyed cork and slate for the dashboard inserts, and clever ambient lighting that automatically adjusts to the time of day, creating an inviting and luxurious interior atmosphere.
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The Rafale is exclusively available as a hybrid model, showcasing Renault’s commitment to efficiency and performance as its flagship offering. Equipped with the manufacturer’s most efficient and powerful E-Tech powertrains, the Rafale features a 1,2-litre hybrid-assisted petrol engine, generating an impressive 96 kW of power and 205 N.m of torque. The primary electric motor boasts a rating of 50 kW and 205 N.m of torque, while the secondary e-motor serves as a starter generator, delivering 25 kW of power and 50 N.m of torque. Collectively, these power sources result in a commendable total output of 149 kW, aligning with the capabilities of the esteemed Espace model.
Furthermore, Renault has announced plans to expand the Rafale lineup with a “high-performance E-Tech 4×4” plug-in hybrid variant, offering a combined power output of 221 kW. This increase in power is achieved through the addition of an extra electric motor on the rear axle, enabling all-wheel drive capability and further enhancing the vehicle’s performance characteristics.
At the moment, the recently unveiled model is not under consideration for local introduction just yet according to Renault South Africa. Should it arrive on the local market and serve as a flagship for the French brand?
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