Renault Austral Explained

Renault Austral
Manufacturer:Renault
Model Code:RHN
Aka:Renault Espace (LWB)
Production:July 2022 – present
Designer:Michael Han, Marco Brunori, Pierre Sabas, Alexis Martot, Andrey Basmanov, Alan Derosier
Assembly:Spain: Palencia (Renault España)
Class:Compact crossover SUV (C)
Body Style:5-door SUV
Layout:Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform:Renault–Nissan CMF-CD
Motor:67abbr=onNaNabbr=on (E-Tech Hybrid)
Powerout:NaNabbr=onNaNabbr=on
Wheelbase:26671NaN1
Length:45101NaN1
Width:18251NaN1
Height:16441NaN1
Weight:NaN0NaN0
Sp:uk

The Renault Austral is a compact crossover SUV (C-segment) manufactured and marketed by Renault. It was unveiled in March 2022 as a successor to the Kadjar, and built on the third-generation CMF-CD platform.[1] [2] [3] It was publicly exhibited for the first time at the 2022 Paris Motor Show.[3] [4] Production began in July 2022 in Spain at the Palencia plant.[5]

Its derivatives include the sixth-generation Renault Espace, a long-wheelbase family-oriented version of the Renault Austral with three-row seating, and the Renault Rafale, a coupé SUV.[6] The three vehicles are sharing 75 percent of their parts.[7]

Overview

The "Austral" name was derived from the Latin word "australis", and has been trademarked since 2005.[8]

The Austral carries the new retro-inspired logo, the LED lights are in Renault's C-Shape signature, while the cockpit is in the form of an entirely digital "L", in order to "surround the driver". A long LED strip joins the logo on either side of the tailgate. The Austral adopts Renault's new design, called Sensual Tech.

According to Agneta Dahlgren, Renault design project director, "the result is materialized by the combination of generous shapes, curved shoulders, projecting sides and the integration of subtle technical details such as high-tech headlamps. which reinforce its identity design”.[9]

The dashboard of the Austral, called OpenR, is largely inspired by that of the Megane E-Tech, but the layout is slightly revised.[10]

Powertrain

Model Code Type Displacement Power Torque Transmission Battery Top speed Fuel consumption CO2 emissions Notes
Petrol hybrid:
1.3 Mild Hybrid 12VH5Ht[11] I4 turbo1333 cc6-speed manual
X-Tronic CVT
12V Lithium-ion10.7 sEuro 6d compliant
at 1800 rpmX-Tronic CVT9.7 s
1.2 Mild Hybrid Advanced 48VHR12[12] I3 turbo1199 cc6-speed manual[13] 48V Lithium-ion8.4 s
1.2 E-Tech Full HybridICE engine


Electric motor: 205 N⋅m
Combined:

7-speed automatic400V Lithium-ion, 1.7 kWh

Related models

Renault Espace

See main article: article and Renault Espace. Unveiled on March 28, 2023, the sixth-generation Espace is heavily based on the Austral, sharing most of the body panels including the front end.[14]

It features an extended wheelbase and is available in five and seven-seater versions.[15] It is shorter in length and 215kg lighter than the previous generation.[16]

The Renault Espace will be available to order from spring 2023,[17] and will be produced at the Palencia plant in Spain alongside the mechanically related Austral.[18] However, it will not be available in the UK market.[19] [20]

Renault Rafale

See main article: Renault Rafale. The Rafale (codenamed DHN) is a coupe SUV unveiled on June 18, 2023 at the 54th Paris Air Show in Le Bourget.[21]

While sharing the CMF-CD underpinnings with its Austral and Espace counterparts, it features a distinctive design with unique body panels, being the brand's first production vehicle designed entirely according to the new visual language penned by Gilles Vidal.[22]

The Rafale is named after the C.460 Rafale monoplane introduced in 1934 by the Caudron-Renault aviation company, although the name was also used more recently on the Dassault Rafale fighter jet.[23] [24] The car received a new plug-in hybrid powertrain with and all-wheel drive by installing an electric motor at the rear.

Awards

The Renault Austral received the Autobest 2023 trophy,[25] awarded by a jury from 31 European countries.[26]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Renault Austral Debuts With 200 HP, Four-Wheel Steering, But No Diesel. March 8, 2022. March 8, 2022. Motor1.com.
  2. Web site: New Renault Austral SUV replaces Kadjar in brand's 2022 line-up. March 8, 2022. March 8, 2022. Auto Express.
  3. Web site: 2022 Renault Austral SUV Makes Paris Debut As Kadjar Replacement. Chris. Chilton. October 17, 2022. Carscoops.
  4. Web site: Renault Austral : tarifs, équipements... à partir de 33.400 €, vaut-il le coup ? . turbo.
  5. Web site: Renault Palencia comienza la producción en serie del Austral. July 15, 2022. July 17, 2022. El Correo. es.
  6. Web site: Renault annonce son nouveau SUV Coupé, le Rafale . planete renault.
  7. Web site: Ciferri . Luca . 2023-07-21 . How Renault made the Espace relevant in the EV era . 2023-08-19 . Automotive News Europe . en.
  8. Web site: December 6, 2021 . Renault unveils the name of its future SUV . March 8, 2022 . www.renaultgroup.com.
  9. Web site: Renault Austral : il sera officiellement dévoilé le 8 mars. Auto Moto. February 23, 2022. February 24, 2022. fr.
  10. News: Futur Peugeot 3008 face au Renault Austral. Auto Moto. April 24, 2022. April 25, 2022. fr.
  11. Web site: Présentation du 1,3 TCe (HR13 DDT) conçu avec Mercedes. March 24, 2021. March 14, 2022. Planète Renault. fr.
  12. Web site: De nouveaux moteurs hybrides 1.2 et 1.5 (2022 - 2025). March 14, 2022. Planète Renault. fr.
  13. Web site: Renault Austral E-Tech full hybrid. www.renault.fr.
  14. Web site: March 28, 2023 . Renault Espace 6 (2023). À bord du SUV familial, rival du Peugeot 5008 . www.largus.fr.
  15. Web site: March 28, 2023 . Renault Espace returns as extended, seven-seat Austral . Autocar.
  16. Web site: March 28, 2023 . Renault Espace (2023): Familienvan-Klassiker wird zum SUV . autobild.de.
  17. Web site: March 28, 2023 . 2024 Renault Espace Debuts As Seven-Seat SUV Replacement Of Iconic Minivan . Motor1.com.
  18. Web site: New Renault Espace Debuts As A Longer Austral SUV With Seven Seats. Thanos. Pappas. March 28, 2023. Carscoops.
  19. Web site: March 28, 2023 . New 2023 Renault Espace breaks cover as an SUV . Auto Express.
  20. Web site: March 28, 2023 . This is the new Renault Espace, and of course it's now an SUV . Top Gear.
  21. Web site: June 18, 2023 . Renault Rafale (2024). A bord du SUV coupé haut de gamme en vidéo . www.largus.fr . fr.
  22. Web site: 2024 Renault Rafale Is Brand's New Flagship Coupe-SUV With Up To 296 HP. Thanos. Pappas. June 18, 2023. Carscoops.
  23. Web site: Pappas . Thanos . 2023-05-16 . Renault Rafale Is An Austral-Based Hybrid Coupe-SUV, Debuts On June 18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230706212448/https://www.carscoops.com/2023/05/renault-rafale-is-an-austral-based-hybrid-coupe-suv-debuts-on-june-18/ . 2023-07-06 . Carscoops.
  24. Web site: June 18, 2023 . 2024 Renault Rafale Coupe-SUV Debuts With 300 Horsepower . Motor1.com.
  25. Web site: Autobest : Renault Austral remporte le prix « Best Buy Car Of Europe 2023 » . business news.
  26. Web site: Le SUV Renault Austral remporte le prix « Best Buy Car of Europe 2023 » Autobest . la tribune auto.