Renault Unveils Its Flagship D-Segment SUV, the Rafale
Renault has unveiled its latest flagship SUV, the Rafale, which promises to be a vehicle born and bred for driving pleasure. The new model is part of Renault’s comprehensive Renaulution model-renewal plan, which aims to strengthen the firm’s C-segment range and focus on the D-segment, which accounts for 15% of car sales across Europe. The Rafale uses the CMF-CD platform, which is its own version of a component that already underpins 15 million Renault Group models from the Clio upwards.
Design and Features
The Rafale is a powerful hybrid coupé-SUV that fits into the heart of the D-segment with an overall length of 4.7m. It has a striking new grille, prominent haunches, and a long fastback roof, carefully configured both for generous rear passenger headroom and to have a 17deg rake angle, considered ideal for efficient aerodynamics. The car’s interior features sustainable materials, new instrument graphics, and superb new seats. It even uses slate as a trim material. The solar roof darkens progressively at the touch of a switch, and the special rear armrest offers new things such as device holders and power sources for rear passengers.
Powertrain
At launch, the Rafale gets the 197bhp clutchless hybrid powertrain already used by its siblings, the Austral and Espace. It derives its power from a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors. The 129bhp Atkinson-cycle engine drives the front wheels via a four-speed automatic gearbox in unit with the final drive. A 67bhp electric drive motor (with its own integral two-speed dog box) is sandwiched between the engine and main gearbox. The second electric motor is an integrated starter-generator that starts the petrol engine, collects energy when the car coasts or brakes and can assist with acceleration when needed. This powertrain, electronically governed, doesn’t need a clutch because the car always starts under electric power only, and the meshing of the two-speed dog box is managed by the electric motor. There’s a 2kWh battery under the driver’s seat that allows short-range electric driving.
Performance
No performance figures are offered, but they should broadly match those of the 197bhp Austral, given that Renault engineers estimate the similarly powered Rafale’s kerb weight to be “from 1600kg”. The 295bhp four-wheel-drive Rafale has the same front-mounted powertrain as the original, but accompanies that with an electrified rear axle that uses a separate electric motor in unit with a rear differential. This model has a much bigger battery and is understood to be a plug-in hybrid with an EV-only range of 30-40 miles.
Driving Dynamics
The Rafale shares its platform, including wheelbase, with the family-oriented Austral and Espace but advertises its greater focus as a driver’s car with 40mm-wider front and rear tracks plus unique spring, damper and anti-roll bar specifications. The car won’t appear in France until spring next year and is undergoing final chassis development now, some of which may be carried out in the UK.
Conclusion
The Renault Rafale is a powerful hybrid coupé-SUV that promises to be a vehicle born and bred for driving pleasure. It is part of Renault’s comprehensive Renaulution model-renewal plan, which aims to strengthen the firm’s C-segment range and focus on the D-segment. The car’s design features a striking new grille, prominent haunches, and a long fastback roof, carefully configured both for generous rear passenger headroom and to have an ideal aerodynamic angle. The car’s powertrain is a clutchless hybrid that derives its power from a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors. The car’s driving dynamics are focused on being a driver’s car with wider front and rear tracks plus unique spring, damper and anti-roll bar specifications. The Renault Rafale is set to be released in France next year.