Published: 19 June 2023
► New Renault Rafale revealed
► It’s the flagship coupe SUV
► Spring 2024 launch
These are the first official pictures of the Renault Rafale, a new D-segment car that follows the launch of the Arkana and Austral nameplates. The new car, which will slot in as La Regie’s range-topper, will be a heavy-hitter in the increasingly congested hybrid SUV sector.
As you’d expect from a flagship SUV, the Rafale isn’t a traditional SUV at all. As hinted at in the teaser images shown earlier this year, the Rafale very much subscribes to the crossover/SUV/fastback look.
‘The all-new Renault Rafale is central in the Renaulution, symbolises our move upmarket and shows that we belong in every customer segment,’ said Fabrice Cambolive, Renault CEO. ‘With its captivating coupe SUV design crafted for intense experiences, it provides unprecedented driving pleasure with its hybrid powertrains and a standard-setting chassis brimming with passion and know-how from Renault engineers.’
Because Renault used to make aero engines and actually manufactured the Caudron-Renault Rafale (below) in 1934.
The Rafale is the first car to bear the full weight of Renault’s new design language. 4710mm long, 1860mm wide and 1610mm tall, the Rafale hides its considerable size with some sporty features; the roofline curves down at the rear for a more ‘swoopy’ look, while a wide track and windscreen with seventeen degrees of rake make it feel somewhat more dynamic.
The front of the Rafale also features the brand’s new headlight signature – originally debuted on the revised Clio shown earlier this year.
‘The all-new Renault Rafale is sized to give it a status-symbol aura, its design is vibrant, and it has a powerful personality,’ said Alexis Martot, Renault’s head of exterior design. ‘So, it naturally stands out as the Renault brand’s new flagship.’
Underpinning the new range-topper is the Renault group’s CMF-CD architecture, which will bring E-Tech hybrid powertrains and front-wheel drive. It’ll be offered in two models; a 197bhp E-tech which focuses on efficiency, and a more powerful 296bhp all-wheel-drive powertrain – also an E-tech hybrid. The former will be here in Spring 2024.
CAR's Digital Editor, F1 and sim-racing enthusiast. Partial to clever tech and sports bikes.
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