Renault's new main bet is the Austral SUV, with which the French brand aims to revive the C-segment, strengthening the brand's offensive launched with the Arkana and the new Megane E-Tech Electric.
MeanwhileAfter first contact with the new Austral, it was easy to see that Renault is betting big on the successor to the Kadjar, and this is an extremely important topic for the French brand, which is not the first product of the so-called Renault. The Nouvelle Vague is the first car to feature a new comprehensive warranty of seven years or 150,000 kilometers for private and professional customers only, announcing the commitment Renault believes the new Austral will earn even more. For customers in both sectors, "this is proof of our confidence in this new model," Renault Portugal CEO Ricardo López said at the launch of the new SUV.
Against this background, the new Austral has a sporty, responsive and technologically advanced exterior design that embraces all the codes of an SUV. It also offers an exclusive version of the Esprit Alp with sporty looks and dynamic, eye-catching design elements, a first for the Renault range.
At 1.62m high, 1.83m wide and 4.51m long, with a 2.67m wheelbase, the new Austral's proportions immediately create a feeling of spaciousness, solidity and do not assert a sporty character.
Despite the attractive exterior, it was the interior that immediately caught our attention, thanks to the high-tech and all-around sophisticated vibe that permeated the new Austral.
Leading the way is the large OpenR display, an inverted "L" shape that brings together the best of Google's services and applications, combining dashboard information display with navigation and multimedia functions. Two large screens with a diagonal of 12 inches and a height of 9.3 inches have a total surface area of almost 1,000 cm2 for an intuitive, immersive and connected driving experience.
When you enter the cockpit, a large OpenR screen opens with a welcome message. Ambient lighting highlights the dashboard in front of the driver, while the interior speakers play the soothing sound of Renault Sound. A technological and sensory experience from the first second you are on board.
The OpenR display is one of the largest displays on the market, has automotive specifications and is covered with Gorilla-Glass, extremely resistant to scratches, daily impacts and repeated cleaning. In addition, it also has an anti-reflective and anti-glare coating, so touch performance and excellent visibility never deteriorate.
The toolbar section of the OpenR screen offers the driver four display options depending on their current selection and priority: Classic (speed, revs, etc.), Navigation (maps), Zen (minimalism), and Stradale (overview of roads and lanes). .
The highly customizable dashboard also has five widgets (fuel economy, tire pressure, range, eco monitor and music) and eight backlight colors.
In addition, the OpenR screen and steering wheel seamlessly merge into one kit thanks to finely tuned parts. The slightly square shape of the steering wheel makes it easier to get in and out of the car and offers an optimal view of the instrument cluster. The compact size is aesthetically harmonious with the exterior of the camera and the OpenR display, which we were very pleased with.
Part of the tradition of road vehicles, the high and wide center console, the so-called "high comfort" console, offers an elegant and modern design and creates a subtle separation between driver and passenger, the passenger front offers everyone an ultra-modern and protected cocoon, but still big and open enough to enjoy each other's company.
The console table has a beautiful surface. The padding is double stitched with Techno. The sleek design was now free of all buttons and switches around the steering wheel and OpenR display, as well as the automatic e-shifter control lever.
The aerodynamic design also highlights the very original armchair, whose ergonomic design is inspired by the worlds of aeronautics and haute horlogerie, as it facilitates the multimedia screen and piano-style buttons just below.
Despite its technological excellence and elegant interior, the Austral is also a useful family car with excellent livability, with a boot capacity of 555-575 liters depending on engine variant, up to 1,525 liters with the rear seats folded down. In addition, the new Austral also offers fore/aft adjustment of the rear seats along a 16cm rail and passengers can enjoy 274mm of legroom.
To showcase its state of the art, the Austral 32 is equipped with the third-generation 4Control Advanced system with the addition of Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Multi-Sense configurations and multi-directional reverse steering. , the maximum steering angle of the rear wheels turning in the opposite direction to the front wheels is now 5 degrees, allowing the Austral to have a diam. The turning point between curbs is shorter than conventional city cars at just 10.1 meters. .
Our tested system shows how easy it is to maneuver around town and lets you adjust your response to one of 13 levels. Of course, this 4 Control Advanced system costs about 2,000 euros, but it allows you to install an independent suspension on the rear axle, which is useful for those who value better handling on the road. performance.
Indeed, when cornering (from 50 km/h and depending on Miulti-Sense configurations selected), the rear wheels can even steer in the same direction as the front wheels, providing the driver with greater stability and a truly relaxed driving experience. .
In terms of engines, the first Renault built on the third-generation CMF-CD platform, jointly developed by the Alliance, offers a new "Full Hybrid" version of the E-Tech system, which is more powerful and powerful. In addition to two "mild hybrid" gasoline engines, 48 V and 12 V, it is more efficient.
The new Austral is available with 140 and 160 hp mild hybrid powertrains. Both are based on a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine backed by a 12V electrical system that acts as a starter/alternator and can be mated to a six-speed manual transmission or alternatively a Type CVT. X. The automatic transmission Tronic promises fuel consumption of 6.1 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 138 g/km.
The best engine is the new generation 200 hp E-Tech Full Hybrid unit. This powertrain is packed with technology, including a new 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder gasoline engine mated to two electric motors (an "e-motor" traction motor and a used HSG high-voltage alternator/starter to power the motor. ) combustion engine. , switch and battery charging), 400V architecture central battery and 7-speed transmission (two for electric mode and five for hybrid mode). Gear ratios are optimized for maximum torque (350 Nm to 410 Nm), power, performance and responsiveness.
The result guarantees a more powerful and linear start, as well as smoother accelerations through clean transitions without gear changes and torque reduction, the internal combustion engine always works in the optimal range of use.
The new Austral E-Tech Hybrid therefore offers maximum driving performance with the best response on the market, which is demonstrated by acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in just 5.9 seconds. The high charging capacity of the lithium-ion batteries and the efficiency of the E-Tech system, as well as the regenerative braking, which is automatically activated during deceleration and braking, ensure optimal fuel consumption. This means that 80% of the time can be spent in fully electric mode on city roads, which equates to 40% fuel savings in the city cycle compared to a conventional petrol engine. average consumption is 4.6 l/100 km, and CO2 emissions are 105 g/km.
Behind the wheel, it's easy to see the potential of this new 200 horsepower engine. even on winding roads, where the Austral can always fully adapt to the most precise dynamics, displaying excellent agility and never compromising interior comfort. ideal for those looking for strong emotions.
The new Austral range includes three trim levels: Equilibre, Techno and Iconic, the latter two also available in Esprit Alpine design.
Offered for the first time in the range, these variants feature the unmistakable styling of Alpine's sporty DNA; gray front bumpers with sports wings, 20-inch Daytona alloy wheels, black front and rear logos and blue carbon/alcantara upholstery material. stitching and custom blue leather steering wheel, white and red stitching from the Esprito range.
However, the range-topping version is the Equilibre version, which features a large checkered grille and gloss black wheel arches and side skirts. Inside, the driver is treated to a 9-inch center display and a large 12.3-inch instrument cluster display. This version also gets a rear parking system and Pure Vision LED headlights.
The Techno variant, on the other hand, comes with 19-inch 'komah' alloy wheels, gradient gray synthetic leather and textile blend upholstery and special ambient lighting. In addition, this version is equipped with a number of advanced features, including the OpenR Link system with a 12.3-inch screen, as well as integrated services and Google connectivity. The Techno version also has sliding rear seats with a center armrest.
In turn, the Iconic version is equipped with 20-inch "effie" alloy wheels, two-tone body color (star black roof), chrome roof rails and 3D effect LED taillights.
Inside, we note a power driver's seat with massage function, heated front seats and a power trunk as standard. This iconic version also features a 360º 3D camera and adaptive cruise control.
Renault has already announced that the Renault Austral is available in seven body colours: Glacier White, Flame Red, Brilliant Pearl White, Star Black, Iron Blue, Dark Gray and an exclusive Satin Slate Gray for the Esprit Alpine variant.
As for the price, Renault has already revealed that the price of the new Austral starts at €34,200 for the 140 hp Balance Mild Hybrid variant.
All prices for new Renault Austral
Engine - Version - Price
Mild Hybrid 140 - Balance - 34,200 EUR
Light hybrid 140 - Techno - 36,700 euros
Light hybrid 140 - Techno - 37,700 euros
E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 – Techno – €41,700
Auto Mild Hybrid 160 - Techno Esprit Alpine - 39,700
E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 - Techno Esprit Alpine - 43,200 euros
Auto Mild Hybrid 160 - Iconic - €41,700
E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 – Iconic – €45,200
E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 - Iconic Esprit Alpine - €46,200
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