The Austral is Renault's new C-segment SUV, replacing the Kadjar and arriving in British showrooms imminently.
Renault learned from the Mégane that its customers like simplicity, and this is a market overflowing with rivals, including the big-selling (and related) Nissan Qashqai, so there are only three variants, all with the same powertrain, priced from £34,695 to £39,495. Our test car is the top-end Iconic Esprit Alpine.
The powertrain is pretty complex and, unlike the platform, is bespoke to Renault in general and, at the moment, this Renault in particular.
It's a hybrid comprising a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine and two electric motors, with a combined maximum of 197bhp.
The way it operates isn't unlike the latest Hondas, in that most of the time the main motor is doing the driving. With 67bhp and two gear ratios, it sits between the engine's transmission and the wheels.
The engine makes 129bhp and has an integrated starter-generator attached to it that makes 20bhp. Its transmission has five forward ratios via a dog clutch.
この記事は Autocar UK の June 14, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は Autocar UK の June 14, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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