Renault boss Luca de Meo has a knack for populism R when it comes to new models.
He is clearly very happy for this once-alternative, innovative volume brand to simply keep on bringing the kind of cars that people are actually buying right now. I say this because Renault will have eight models on sale in the UK by the end of this year across the wellworn B (supermini), C (compact) and D (mid-size) segments, six of which could be described as SUVs.
The latest is the Symbioz, a hybrid-powered, smaller sibling of the Austral- and between the two, Renault hopes to overwhelm the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Tiguan.
This is a 4.4-metre-long crossover, then, based on the CMF-B platform (like the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke). It's only moderately high-rise in its profile, its roof height having been kept to around 1.6 metres so as to ensure a sensible frontal area and good aerodynamic efficiency.
While it will be sold elsewhere with cheaper mild-hybrid petrol powertrains as well, in the UK it will exclusively offer Renault's 1.6-litre E-Tech Full Hybrid powertrain. But, no doubt thanks to that cost-saving platform, it will cost a few grand less than key full-hybrid rivals from Kia, Nissan and Peugeot.
There is quite a sharply drawn, 'technical' flavour to the styling of the Symbioz. It could almost be a new Volkswagen Golf Plus from some angles. That rather seems to typify Renault's philosophical move towards the middle ground of the volume market in recent years; the emphasis it has put on quality, rationality, digital technology and neat but conventional design.
Quirky didn't sell nearly as well, so fair enough. And the Symbioz is certainly handsome, attractively detailed and well proportioned.
Bu hikaye Autocar UK dergisinin August 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Autocar UK dergisinin August 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
MG 4
An EV changes your driving style - but not to the detriment of pleasure
PEUGEOT E-208
Time with our French hatch is up. Is it good riddance or au revoir?
In the hot seat
Is the best automotive job in the world actually in miniature scale? Hot Wheels' design boss assures STEPHEN DOBIE it is
Correcting the record
Autocar invented the road test back in 1928 - or did we? KEITH JONES trawls the past to find the true starting point
Road test rebooted
As the Autocar road test forges into its second century, its brief is expanding and it's returning to a familiar place. MATT SAUNDERS explains
Cyber attack
MG is back on the international stage and now trying to return to its sports car roots. MATT SAUNDERS sees if the Cyberster EV can match up to a rival from the present and a relation from the past
KIA PICANTO
As rivals fall by the wayside, Kia's popular city car gets a makeover
MASERATI GRANTURISMO
Latest coupé in a long line of Maserati GT cars hits the UK with V6 power
PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS COUPE
New V8 model gets all the goodies
TOYOTA PRIUS
Back by popular demand with a cool new look and greater driver appeal