Renault, the renowned French automaker, has introduced its latest flagship model, the all-new Renault Rafale. This striking coupe-SUV combines captivating design, advanced technology, and powerful hybrid engines to deliver an exceptional driving experience.
Exterior Design
The Renault Rafale showcases a visionary and daring design, reflecting the brand’s new visual language introduced by Gilles Vidal, Head of Design Renault. Its dynamic and captivating exterior embodies the essence of Renault’s commitment to driving pleasure. The front grille and LED Matrix headlights give the Rafale a fresh and distinctive appearance.
The Renault Rafale offers 18mm of ground clearance, allowing it to tackle various road conditions and maintain its SUV-like versatility.
Generous 20-inch wheels complete the dynamic look of the model.
There are five color options for the Rafale, including two that are brand-new to the Renault lineup. The highlight is the color Alpine Blue, which, in my opinion, is both the most intriguing and the one that best accentuates the design lines, as was also evident in the Paris debut.
Interior Design, Technology, and Interior Space
Despite being a coupe, the spacious wheelbase of 2.74 meters (107.8 inches) gives the passengers a comfortable 302 millimeters (11.88 inches) of knee room, and headroom is 880 millimeters (34.64 inches), only 12 millimeters (0.47 inches) less than in the case of the Espace.
The dedicated central armrest for rear passengers is also designed to be practical, as it is equipped with two USB-C ports, storage space for phones and tablets, and two stands for attaching a phone or tablet to comfortably watch a movie or YouTube clip during longer journeys. The feeling of spaciousness at the back is further accentuated by the Solarbay panoramic glass roof produced by Saint-Gobain, with dimensions of 1,470 mm by 1,117 mm (57.85 inches by 43.97 inches).
There are four different brightness settings available. There is a compromise for circumstances where rear passengers choose more or less natural light than the driver, in addition to the standard full lighting and complete darkness modes: either half-front illumination and half-back darkness, or vice versa. No matter what option is selected, the glass roof automatically darkens when all passengers leave the vehicle.
AmpliSky technology, which uses electric fields to displace molecules and is simply activated by voice command through Google Assistant or by touching a button on the roof, is used to modify the brightness of the roof.
The cabin is spacious and technologically advanced. The interior design of the Rafale exhibits a focus on driver-centric features and passenger comfort. A highlight of the cabin is the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, providing clear and customizable information to the driver. The center of attention is the 12-inch portrait-oriented infotainment display, offering seamless connectivity with wireless Android Auto (Android Automotive 12) and Apple CarPlay integration.
The interior space of the Rafale is designed to provide comfort and convenience for both the driver and passengers. The sloped roofline gives the Rafale its coupe-like profile, which may slightly impact the overall trunk space. However, with the rear seats up, the Rafale still offers a respectable 530 liters (18.7 cubic feet) of luggage space, providing ample room for everyday needs.
Hybrid Powertrains: 200hp and 300hp
The Renault Rafale is available with two hybrid powertrain options, offering a blend of performance and efficiency. The first option is a 200hp E-Tech full hybrid powertrain. This configuration combines a turbocharged three-cylinder engine with two electric motors, providing an efficient and frugal driving experience. The 200hp powertrain is already available and delivers a balance between power and fuel economy.
In the future, Renault plans to introduce a more powerful variant of the Rafale featuring a 300hp E-Tech 4×4 hybrid powertrain. This high-performance version will offer enhanced driving dynamics with its all-wheel-drive system. With the 300hp powertrain, the Renault Rafale aims to provide a thrilling driving experience for enthusiasts seeking exhilarating performance.
Dynamic capabilities
The rafael is equipped with a rear active suspension (5 degrees) that allows a rotation radius similar to the clio (10.4 meters /409.4 inches). The multi-link rear axle and 4CONTROL Advanced are standard on Austral and the All-New Espace, too, but the All-New Rafale also has Vehicle Motion Control 2 (VMC 2), an improved electronic system that controls the rear wheels. In order to maneuver bends more quickly and to ensure that all four wheels are in the ideal positions on uneven and damaged roads, it more effectively anticipates loss of hold. In addition, the All-New Rafale boasts wider wheels (245 mm/9.64 inches), a 4 cm (1.57 inch) wider track than the All-New Espace, and unique spring, shock-absorber, and roll-bar settings that maximize comfort alongside agility.
Pricing
The expected pricing of the Renault Rafale is estimated to start from £40,000 (approximately $53,800 USD or €46,866)
