RENAULT RAFALE ESTATE E-Tech Full Hybrid Techno 5dr Auto

The Rafale is a larger, more styling kind of Renault. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at this Hybrid contender.

Ten Second Review

The Rafale reinterprets what a larger Renault model should be. This D-segment Coupe-SUV brings style and ingenuity to the business of tempting customers away from premium badged alternatives. It's a tough brief, but this Gallic contender has some genuinely interesting touches.

Background

In automotive terms, there's not much that's more French than a large Renault. And traditionally, France has been just about the only place where you're likely to see such a thing. In this new electrified era though, the Gallic brand has been emboldened to try its hand at a larger-segment model once again - and here it is, the Rafale. Unlike some other recent Renault model rivals, it's not a full-EV - in fact most sales will be of a volume hybrid version you can't plug in. And it's actually not that large, a D-segment model based on the Austral crossover but styled (like the smaller Arkana) as a Coupe-SUV. It's certainly a sweeping, quite aerodynamic thing, hence the name which in French references wind-driven natural energy and aeronautics: the Caudron-Renault Rafale of 1934 was a plane Renault made which flew a record-breaking 277mph. Nearly a century on, this automotive successor to that design won't set any sales records but it's a key component in Group boss Luca de Meo's comprehensive 'Renaultution' model plan. And the first offering from new ex-Peugeot design chief Gilles Vidal - which means it'll set the styling theme for a whole new generation of Renaults.

Engines and Tech Spec

Most Rafales will be sold with a 200hp E-Tech full hybrid petrol powertrain linked to a clutch-less multimode automatic. This powertrain pairs a 1.2-litre three cylinder engine with a couple of electric motors, one acting as a generator developing 33.5hp. The other acts as a main propulsion motor. This develops 67hp, sits between the engine and the main gearbox and incorporates its own integral 2-speed 'dog box' transmission. There's a 2kWh battery beneath the driver's seat that allows for very short range electric driving. With the engine chiming in, 62mph from rest takes 8.9s. If that's not quite enough for you, then your dealer can also offer the potential to order a higher performance E-Tech 4x4 300hp flagship plug-in hybrid variant. This pairs the same hybrid system at the front with an additional electric motor at the rear which creates the AWD system. There's also a larger 22kWh battery pack, so of course when fully charged, there's a much longer EV drive range - up to 62 miles. There's an 'EV Mode' available with three settings - 'Hybrid', 'Electric' and 'E-save'. With the engine chiming in, 62mph from rest takes 6.4s. With both variants, at the top of the range Renault is offering an improved version of its 4Control 4-wheel steering system. This adds 7kg to the kerb weight, but gives the Rafale a tight 10.4m turning circle at low speeds and is supposed to improve cornering stability at speeds of up to 30mph.

Design and Build

The Rafale, new Renault styling chief Gilles Vidal's first car, was a clean sheet design, eventually chosen to be a Coupe-SUV with some rather lovely detail touches. The first thing you'll probably notice is the unique front grille, fabricated from angled tiles shaped like the Renault badge, which usually seem to 'move' as you view them from differing angles. Almost equally eye-catching is the new headlamp signature, with its boomerang-shaped daytime running lights. Forget the really large Renault models you might have grown up with; this is a modestly proportioned segment contender based on a lengthier version of the brand's usual CMF-CD platform. The Rafale is 4,710mm long, 1,860mm wide and 1,610mm tall, though the curved roof line makes it look a little more compact than that and 17-degrees of windscreen rake adds a sporty touch. Inside, Renault still hasn't quite succeeded in creating a really premium-feeling cabin, but it's a step up from the Austral model interior it's based on, thanks to some extra soft-touch surfaces and the use of some quite surprising materials like slate and blackened cork. The enveloping seats are bespoke and quite unique with illuminated elements. And of course there's plenty of screen tech, with a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 12.0-inch central screen which runs Google-designed software. A cabin highlight on plusher models is the huge (1,470mm by 1,117mm) Solarbay panoramic glass roof. This actually increases cabin headroom (by 29mm in the front and 10mm in the rear) and uses 'AmpliSky' Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal tech to darken the glass through four settings. These can be voice-controlled and the glass darkens automatically when you step out of the car. Rear seat space is generous thanks to this model's quite lengthy 2.74m wheelbase; there's 302mm of rear seat knee radius and 890mm of headroom. Plus back seat occupants get an ingenious rear armrest with storage for tablets, USB outlets and fold-out screen stands. Boot space is rated at between 535 and 647-litres.

Market and Model

From launch, Renault is pricing this Rafale from just over £38,000 in its base E-Tech full hybrid form. That's for base 'techno' trim. Another £4,000 gets you the much sportier-looking mid-range 'techno esprit Alpine' version, while you'll need a £45,000 budget for top 'iconic esprit Alpine'-spec. Think in terms of needing nearly £50,000 for the top E-Tech 4x4 300 PHEV variant. At least you get plenty of kit across the range. Even base 'techno' trim gives you 'Sonic' 20-inch black diamond-cut alloy wheels, a shark fin antenna, automatic headlights with automatic high/low beam, LED front signature lighting, 'moire'-effect rear LED lights and automatic windscreen wipers. The interior is marked out by a 12.3-inch driver information display and a 12-inch 'OpenR' link screen with an Arkamys 6-speaker audio system and Google services built-in, plus a wireless phone charger. The base equipment list continues with a frameless auto-dimming rear view mirror, automatic dual-zone air conditioning, front and rear one-touch electric windows, a sliding centre console armrest, heated electric folding wing mirrors, paddle shift levers for regenerative braking, front & rear park assist and a rear-view camera. Plus, as you'd expect, there's a wide portfolio of advanced driver assistance systems. The 'techno esprit Alpine' brings Castellet 20-inch black diamond-cut alloy wheels with smoked varnish, alloy boot kick plate, esprit Alpine exterior styling, matrix LED vision headlights, and 4Control Advanced four-wheel steering. Its interior gains esprit Alpine interior styling with Alcantara TEP upholstery, quilted and perforated with blue background and illuminated Alpine logo. You'll need the top 'iconic esprit Alpine' version if you want the desirable huge Solarbay panoramic sunroof, plus this variant also adds a 12-speaker premium Harman Kardon audio system, hands-free parking and a 360-degree around view 3D camera.

Cost of Ownership

Obviously, not being able to plug the mainstream E-Tech full hybrid version of this Rafale in means it's not going to go very far on battery power. The 2kWh pack in question is, like most full-Hybrids, there to cut in and out at low-to-medium speeds and obviously does a pretty good job because the combined fuel cycle figure - as with the Austral, up to 60.1mpg - is pretty noteworthy, allowing for up to 683 miles of driving range. The CO2 reading - up to 105g/km - is even better, class-leading in fact. We should probably have expected this. Renault were good at this technology when it was based around the ancient 1.6-litre four cylinder engine used in Hybrid versions of the Clio, the Captur and the Arkana. Using the same tech with a more modern 1.2-litre unit, as the Rafale does, was only ever going to yield a good result. Of course, official figures are one thing; actual day-to-day returns are another and mindful of this, Renault has provided a variety of e-driving tools to enable Rafale E-Tech full hybrid drivers to get as close as possible to the stated readings. As you drive, you'll need to keep a close eye on the central dial, keeping its needle as often as possible in the 'Charge' rather than the 'Power' section. You'll also want to make use of the provided EV drive mode. This is for slow town traffic and when activated, it prioritises battery-electric drive up to about 27mph, providing there's sufficient charge. Renault reckons that it should be possible for a Rafale E-Tech full hybrid owner to drive around town at low speeds in all-electric mode for 80% of the time. On the open road, remember to switch the auto gear lever to its 'B' position so that you can maximise regenerative brake energy harvesting and so preserve battery charge. If you're looking at the E-Tech 4x4 300hp PHEV version, then up to 62 miles of EV range is possible after charging the 22kWh battery, which from a typical 7.4kW garage wallbox takes 2 hours 55 minutes for a full charge. CO2 returns are rated at up to 15g/km when the full battery range is used (but it's 132g/km with an empty battery).

Summary

You can't imagine that too many premium brand segment customers are going to throw away their enamel-badged key fob to own a Rafale. The few though, that take a look at what this bigger Renault has to offer might find lots to like here. It'll get the neighbours talking, the cabin materials are lovely and the rear seat ambiance is far nicer (and more spacious) than the premium brand norm. There are also things here you can't get on competitors, like 4-wheel steering and the vast Solarbay panoramic roof. Previously, none of this would have been enough to overcome customer badge snobbery, but in this more enlightened electrified era, things might be different. Renault is hoping so.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Heated rear window

Privacy glass

Front and rear electric windows with one touch

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Emergency brake assist

Multi-Collision braking

Electronic parking brake with auto hold function

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)

Electronic brake distribution

Active emergency braking system - Urban, pedestrian/cyclist with junction function

Rear active emergency braking system

Rear traffic alert and rear pedestrian alert with rear automatic braking

Hill start assist and trailer stability assist

Carpets/Rugs

Black carpets

Communication

Apple car play and Android auto

Bluetooth

Driver Aids

Power assisted steering

Adaptive cruise control

Rear view camera

Speed limiter

Traffic sign recognition

Blind spot warning

Driver attention alert system

Lane change warning

Lane departure warning

Lane keeping assistance

Emergency lane keep assist including solid line, oncoming traffic and road edge detection

Safe stopping distance warning

Front and rear park assist with front, rear and side parking sensors

MULTI-SENSE driving modes (eco, comfort, sport and personal)

Navigation system with build in google maps

Qrescue

Driver Convenience

Wireless phone charger

Voice control for navigation system with built in google assistant

My safety switch: shortcut to personalise configuration of driving aids

Driver Information

Trip computer

Service interval indicator

Internet access

Exterior temperature display

Renault automatic emergency assist

Speed alert

12.3" driver information display cluster

Miles per hour configuration

Driving Mirrors

Black door mirrors

Electric heated folding door mirrors

Frameless auto-dimming rear view mirror with brightness adapt and rain sensor

Entertainment

Wi-Fi hot spot

DAB radio

Arkamys audio system with 6 speakers

2 front and 2 rear USB-C ports

12" open R link screen with built-in Google

Exterior Body Features

Body colour spoiler

Shark fin antenna

Rear side wing doors

Bumper grill background appears grey

Exterior Lights

Automatic headlights + automatic windscreen wipers

LED daytime running lights

Automatic high / low beam

3rd brake light

LED front signature lighting

LED rear lights with mirage effect

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Air purifier

Automatic dual zone climate control

Interior Features

Fabric upholstery

Multifunction steering wheel

Synthetic leather steering wheel

12v socket in front

Paddle shift levers for regenerative braking

Manual height and depth adjustable steering wheel

Sliding centre console armrest with storage

Interior Lights

Interior ambient lighting

2 front and 2 rear touch LED interior lighting

Safety

Seatbelt pretensioners

Manual rear child locks

Side airbags

Seatbelt load limiter

Passenger airbag deactivation system

3 point seatbelts on all rear seats

Passenger knee airbag

Front thorax airbags

Approaching vehicle sound for pedestrians

Tyre pressure warning light

Driver knee airbag

Driver and front passenger airbags

Row 1 and 2 curtain airbags

Seatbelt reminder

Adjustable driver and passenger safety seat belts

Occupant safe exit

Seats

Front headrests

3 rear headrests

6 way manually adjustable passenger seat

3 seat bench in 2nd row

6 way manually adjustable drivers seat

ISOFIX child seat fixing points on rear outermost seats

Single front passenger seat

Front seats with dark shell backing and storage net

60:40 Split folding rear seats

Security

Alarm

Immobiliser

Locking wheel nuts

Remote central locking

Hands free key card with Keyless access and start

Super locking system

Wheels - Alloy

20" Sonic black diamond-cut out alloy wheels

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Battery Capacity in kWh: 1.7

Emissions - ICE

Particles: N

HC+NOx: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 105

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 106

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 105

Engine and Drive Train

Catalytic Convertor: No

Gears: 6 SPEED

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Cylinders: 3

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 12

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

CC: 1199

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 60.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 60.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 57.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 4.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 4.7

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 4.9

General

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 69

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 29E

Service Interval Mileage: 18000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 87

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 83

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

NCAP Safety Assist %: 87

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 200

Badge Engine CC: 1.2

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Coin Series: Techno

Coin Description: E-Tech full hybrid

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Performance

Top Speed: 111

Engine Power - BHP: 200

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 8.9

Engine Power - KW: 147

Engine Power - RPM: 4500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 151

Engine Torque - NM: 205

Engine Torque - RPM: 1750

Engine Torque - MKG: 20.9

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Rear: 245/45 R20

Wheel Style: N

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Tyre Size Front: 245/45 R20

Alloys?: No

Vehicle Dimensions

Width: 1866

Wheelbase: 2738

Length: 4710

Width (including mirrors): 2085

Height: 1613

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2175

Minimum Kerbweight: 1653

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 58

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1500

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 522

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 530

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.6

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1826

Max. Roof Load: 80

Exterior Body Features

Additional metallic paint

Matte satin paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Flame red

Additional metallic - Diamond black

Additional metallic - Shadow grey

Paint - Special

Matte satin - Pearl white

Trim - Cloth

Fabric - Black glazed, quilted with diamond derived embroidery

Wheels - Spare

Space saver spare wheel