Renault Rafale: Initially hybrid, then fully electric

The Renault Rafale, which was introduced at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget in June 2023, is entering the market, starting at 43,800 euros for the Techno trim and 48,300 euros for Esprit Alpine. First to arrive is the top model designed as a trendy SUV coupe with a hybrid drivetrain. It measures 4.71 meters in length, 1.86 meters in width, and 1.61 meters in height and is based on the CMF-CD platform, which is intended to provide a lot of comfort and generous space. Despite the coupe silhouette, the rear offers a knee room of 302 millimeters and a headroom of 880 millimeters. The trunk is also spacious with a 627-liter capacity. The highlight is the so-called Solarbay panoramic roof with liquid crystal-based PDLC technology (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal). Depending on the need, it can be switched to opaque or transparent in seconds via voice command through Google Assistant or at the push of a button.

The E-Tech Full Hybrid powertrain of the Renault Rafale delivers 147 kW/200 HP and, together with the Multi-Mode transmission, ensures a WLTP consumption of only 4.7 liters of super petrol per 100 kilometers, corresponding to CO2 emissions of 106 grams per kilometer. This is also said to ensure one of the best ranges in the segment, up to 1,100 kilometers. The French want to score points with their flagship with a precise chassis and dynamic handling, which is enhanced depending on the configuration by the Renault All-Wheel Steering 4CONTROL Advanced. The standard rear-wheel steering in the Esprit Alpine trim enables higher cornering speeds.