Renault Austral

PowertrainEngineElectric motor67 hp (68 PS; 50 kW) (E-Tech Hybrid)TransmissionHybrid drivetrainBatteryDimensionsWheelbase2,667 mm (105.0 in)Length4,510 mm (177.6 in)Width1,825 mm (71.9 in)Height1,644 mm (64.7 in)Kerb weight1,421–1,517 kg (3,133–3,344 lb)ChronologyPredecessor

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]

• 
  Rear view
• 
  Austral Esprit Alpine
• 
  Interior

Powertrain

Model	Code	Type	Displacement	Power	Torque	Transmission	Battery	Top speed	0–100 km/h (0–62 mph)	Fuel consumption	CO2 emissions	Notes
Petrol hybrid:
1.3 Mild Hybrid 12V	H5Ht[11]	I4 turbo	1333 cc	140 hp (142 PS; 104 kW)	260 N⋅m (26.5 kg⋅m; 192 lb⋅ft)	6-speed manual X-Tronic CVT	12V Lithium-ion	175 km/h (109 mph)	10.7 s	6.2 L/100 km (16.1 km/l; 45.6 mpg‑imp; 37.9 mpg‑US)	139–142 g/km (7.9–8.1 oz/mi)	Euro 6d compliant
				160 hp (162 PS; 119 kW)	270 N⋅m (27.5 kg⋅m; 199 lb⋅ft) at 1800 rpm	X-Tronic CVT			9.7 s	6.2–6.3 L/100 km (16.1–15.9 km/l; 45.6–44.8 mpg‑imp; 37.9–37.3 mpg‑US)	141–142 g/km (8.0–8.1 oz/mi)
1.2 Mild Hybrid Advanced 48V	HR12[12]	I3 turbo	1199 cc	130 hp (132 PS; 97 kW)	205 N⋅m (20.9 kg⋅m; 151 lb⋅ft)	6-speed manual[13]	48V Lithium-ion		8.4 s	5.3 L/100 km (18.9 km/l; 53.3 mpg‑imp; 44.4 mpg‑US)	123 g/km (7.0 oz/mi)
1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid				200 hp (203 PS; 149 kW)	ICE engine: 205 N⋅m (20.9 kg⋅m; 151 lb⋅ft) Electric motor: 205 N⋅m Combined: 410 N⋅m (41.8 kg⋅m; 302 lb⋅ft)	7-speed automatic	400V Lithium-ion, 1.7 kWh			4.7 L/100 km (21.3 km/l; 60.1 mpg‑imp; 50.0 mpg‑US)	105–106 g/km (6.0–6.0 oz/mi)

Safety

In autumn 2022, the Austral was tested for automotive safety by Euro NCAP, receiving five stars out of five.^[14]

Related models

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.^[15]

It features an extended wheelbase and is available in five and seven-seater versions.^[16] It is 140 mm (5.5 in) shorter in length and 215kg lighter than the previous generation.^[17]

The Renault Espace will be available to order from spring 2023,^[18] and will be produced at the Palencia plant in Spain alongside the mechanically related Austral.^[19] However, it will not be available in the UK market.^[20][21]

Renault Rafale

The Rafale (codenamed DHN) is a coupe SUV unveiled on June 18, 2023 at the 54th Paris Air Show in Le Bourget.^[22]

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.^[23]

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.^[24][25] The car received a new plug-in hybrid powertrain with 300 hp (304 PS; 224 kW) and all-wheel drive by installing an electric motor at the rear.^[25]

References

External links

• Official website (France)