WITH Renault Rafaleis represented by a French manufacturer brand new SUV coupe with D-segment unpublished. The second model with a “fastback” rear part.Arcana launched in 2010, the Rafale wants to be more upscale and even a luxurious brown! Rest on the platform CMF-CD Alliance Rafale will play a role the flagship of the model range in the Renault catalog and will be available from spring 2024.

As for the appearance, Gilles Vidal works and marks a clear transition to the past. Protruding edges, fancy lights echoing the boomerang design seen on the latter Clio V restyling, the honeycomb grille… The gap is clear and the Rafale is a great opportunity to confirm Losange’s new contemporary visual identity. The icing on the cake, it’s real destroyer will receive a galvanized version of motorization Hybrid E-Techalready present under the hood Australian orspace. The coupe will first get an SUV basic hybrid gasoline unit with a capacity of 200 hpthen we will get an improved version plug-in hybridstrong with 300 hp ! To achieve this power, there will be a third electric motor on the rear axle, which will simultaneously offer all-wheel drive on Renault Rafale.

Renault Rafale (2024): SUV coupe based on the Espace

Faced with this large SUV coupe, it is difficult to remain indifferent. Its body contrasts with the models already presented in the Renault catalog. To better understand this Rafale, you must see it in profile. If the roof is 3 cm less than the last one Renault Space (Height 1.61 meters on the new Rafale), this is his “fast” back line which immediately pleases the eye. The stern ends with a pointed spoiler, which further confirms the dynamic style of the silhouette. The body lines are sculpted, with 28-degree angles repeated throughout the vehicle. This well-proportioned SUV is sure to make you forget its XXL size, in particular The length is 4.71 meters for The width is 1.86 meters. With a 4cm wider track compared to the new Espace, the Rafale’s wide hips allow the SUV to sit even more on the road. In addition, the tires are also slightly wider, says Renault. Finally, at the end Alpine spiritthis Rafale is equipped with large Wheels 20 inches and shade Alpine blue slightly deeper than the A110.

Renault Rafale (2024): design by Vidal

The front panel marks a further break from the old world. With a fairly short front overhang, the bow design is thoughtful enough to elongate this hood and give it added appeal. A concave grille takes over the design cellular networks and contrasts with the rest of the obverse. This mesh is made up of a set of small slanted diamonds that allow the blue color to appear on the surface of the Esprit Alpine depending on the angle at which you are standing. Such an arrangement even creates an amazing impression that the grid “moves”! The effect works and instantly flatters the retina.

The light signature is also new. The lights are narrowed, and the look is sharp. It is impossible, however, not to see Mr. Vidal’s touch and see a certain family resemblance to the competitor. Under the headlights, a strip of LEDs in the shape of a boomerang repeats the signature that is already visible on Clio V restyling. At the rear, we obviously also notice new lights, largely different from those of the Espace or Austral. Very well done, they consist of 3 separate shapes that seem to ‘float’ in this rear view.

Renault Rafale (2024): familiar, but improved interior

Inside, we’re a little less out of place. The Rafale takes advantage of the excellent furnishings already in the Austral and Space and makes some welcome improvements. The steering wheel, for example, with a slightly square design, has Alcantara accents with a soft touch. Dual screen system Hypersensitive OpenR Link from Renault, powered by Google, benefits from a new graphic design and D’Android 12. Plenty of storage space is still present and new materials are incorporated into the furniture.

We find in particular natural shale on high trim or painted cork black for basic versions, present on the movable lever or on the upper panel of the instrument panel. The seats, on the other hand, are specific to the Rafale. They offer great seats, very comfortable and sporty lateral reinforcements important and Artificial leather top of the range (the best available TEP according to Renault) mixed with blue white red stitching on the Esprit Alpine trim. A little style, a Illuminated arrow begins to flash, imitating the rhythm of the heartbeat when the car is unlocked.

Renault Rafale (2024): Solarbay self-opaque glass roof

Great new on board this Rafalea huge self-opaque glass roof named sunny bay. Developed in collaboration with Saint Gobain, it consists of 8 different layers and offers on-demand and even zonal opacity! Developed according to a unique technology in liquid crystals (PDLC for Polymer dispersed liquid crystals) it can become cloudy either in front or behind and, finally, completely. In addition, it also filters UV rays and reflects 80% of infrared rays to the outside. Prevents overheating of the interior in the summer and keeps the interior warm in the winter.

In the back seats, two passengers will be able to enjoy a real relaxation area, comfortably located on seats made of synthetic leather and Alcantara. AND specific high-tech central armrest will also be there. Equipped with 2 USB ports, places to store tablets and smartphones, and two sliding supports for comfortable viewing of these screens, it offers a real advantage. Renault has clearly decided to offer very good space for two passengers, offering maximum comfort for 4 passengers in the Rafale, unfortunately forgoing the center seat passenger. Finally, despite the sloping roof, the SUV coupe can boast of trunk volume 530 liters. That’s less than the Espace, which has between 677 and 777 litres, but the same as the Austral.

Renault Rafale (2024): 300 hp and plug-in hybrid

The last new item on this Rafale: motorization. If the base versions, which will be presented in the spring of 2024, will benefit from the already well-known E-Tech hybrid gasoline unit with a capacity of 200 hp, then it is the PHEV version that challenges us. Renault claims to offer a improved version allowing to achieve With a total power of 300 hp. If the small 3 cyl. The 1.2L developing 130bhp remains the same, it’s the game changer of adding a third electric motor on the rear axle. Renault isn’t divulging any numbers yet, but we can expect performance to be well above the Espace’s 8.8 second 0-100! In addition, this rear location of the additional engine offers all-wheel drive for Rafale, this is an additional novelty compared to Austral or Space.

Moreover, the transition to plug-in hybrid will allow the new SUV-coupe to make almost all daily trips in 100% electric mode thanks to a larger on-board battery, without limiting the pleasure of driving with the maintenance of the thermoblock. coast frame, the Rafale benefits from the excellent chassis presented by its two brothers. As with the 6th generation Espace, the new SUV coupe will benefit from this system 4 Advanced control with 4 steering wheels, offering better turning radius (as beautiful as Clio!) and a very good stability at high speed and in curves. Finally, in terms of driver assistance, the Rafale will be equipped 32 ADAS one new automatic speed warning function detected using alarm panels (ISA, Intelligent Speed ​​Assist).

Renault Rafale (2024): presentation at the Paris Air Show

To introduce its new Rafale, Renault I didn’t do it by accident. No, it’s not a mirage, this real fighter jet with the Diamond logo will be prominently displayed all week at the 54 International aerospace exhibition in Le Bourget, which will last until June 25. A unique opportunity to make sure of this flagship made by Renault, and to admire this divergent new pencil stroke!

Produced at the Palencia plant in Spain on the same assembly line as its two siblings, the Austral and the Espace, it will for sale from spring 2024.

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