Renault has unveiled its long-awaited new D-segment flagship, the Rafale - a powerful hybrid-powered coupé-SUV "born and bred for driving pleasure".
It will appear initially, from summer next year, as a 197bhp front-wheel-drive hybrid, but a 295bhp four-wheel-drive version is also scheduled.
Its launch is the latest move in the comprehensive 'Renaulution' plan laid out by boss Luca de Meo when he arrived three years ago.
De Meo identified the French firm's first mission as being to strengthen its C-segment model range which it has done with the Arkana, Mégane and Austral-but believes the next priority is the D-segment, which accounts for 15% of car sales across Europe.
The Rafale will be built in Valencia, Spain, on a variant of the CMF-CD platform that has already underpinned some 15 million Renault Group cars from the Clio upwards.
It fits into the heart of the D-segment, being 4.7 metres long, quite tall, at 1.6m (as befits a sporty SUV), and having a relatively long wheelbase of 2.74m.
The Rafale's prominent features include a striking new-look front grille, prominent haunches and a long, fastbackstyle roof, carefully configured both for generous rear head room and a rake angle of 17deg, which is considered ideal for efficient aerodynamics.
At launch, it gets the 197bhp E-Tech powertrain already used by its siblings, deriving its power from a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors.
The 129bhp Atkinson-cycle ICE drives the front wheels via a four-speed automatic gearbox in a unit with the final drive.
A 67bhp drive motor (with its own integral two-speed dog 'box) is sandwiched between the ICE and the main gearbox.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 21, 2023 من Autocar UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 21, 2023 من Autocar UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Poster car that went from rusty to trusty
One evening, two years ago, George Pappas was being driven down his local high street by a mate and mulling over whether to replace his Mk4 Golf diesel, a recent purchase that was boring him to death, when his girlfriend, also in the car, spotted an old BMW 3 Series at the side of the road with a 'for sale' sign in the window.
THE SEVEN-SEATER THAT VOLVO DARE NOT KILL OFF
The current-gen XC90 has been on sale since 2015 for good reason
GENESIS ELECTRIFIED G80
Where the story begins, in the Hyundai premium marque’s luxury saloon
LEXUSLBX
Can you shrink premium quality to fit an SUV this small? We now know
Rolls boss ready to 'define the next chapter'
Nine months into the job, Rolls-Royce CEO and car guy Chris Brownridge tells STEVE CROPLEY what he's learned and where the firm's heading
Once more, with feeling
AC Cars' recreation of the classic MkII Cobra is at first glance a faithful facsimile of a 1960s performance benchmark. SIMON HUCKNALL drives it
MERCEDES-BENZ CLE
Does a PHEV set-up work in a coupé that exudes such old-school vibes?
ANALOGUE SUPERSPORT
Lotus Elise specialist uprates 1990s icon with an eye on track days
ALPINE A290
The hot hatch is alive and well, and living in France. On both road and track, there's much to savour`
UK HANGS ON TO OLD CARS
Average car age climbs as high prices dampen demand for new models