Renault announced an aviation-inspired name for its upcoming coupe-SUV set to debut on June 18. The Renault Rafale will be the sexier sibling of the Austral and the Espace, featuring distinct styling and being powered by E-Tech hybrid powertrains.
The French automaker chose a new name for the SUV instead of going for the rumored Austral Coupe or reviving the Avantime moniker. Most people recognize the Rafale as Dassault’s multirole fighter jet, but Renault had used it a long time ago. In fact, the C460 single-seater racing plane that was introduced back in 1934 by the aviation company Caudron-Renault was named Rafale, explaining the connection with the automaker. Renault says that its involvement with the aviation industry influenced the design of production models, making them more aerodynamic – as is the case with the upcoming model.
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The new model is set to become Renault’s flagship coupe-SUV, positioned in the D-Segment (midsize) and helping it move upmarket. The official teaser of a lightly camouflaged model combined with earlier spy shots and our exclusive renderings give us a good idea of the exterior design.
The aggressive face of the Rafale will adopt the new style of LED headlights similar to the facelifted Clio. Those, together with the sculpted fenders, the unique greenhouse, and the sloping roofline will help the Rafale stand out from the more conservative Austral and Espace, coming closer to the rival Peugeot 408 fastback crossover. However, we wouldn’t be surprised if the interior was shared with the Austral since the OpenR digital cockpit is quite relevant. The Esprit Alpine badge on the fenders suggests that the model will be available in the high-end trim featuring sporty accents and luxurious features.
Renault confirmed that the Rafale will ride on the CMF-CD architecture, just like the Austral, the Espace, and several models from other Renault Nissan Mitsubishi alliance brands including the Nissan X-Trail and the Mitsubishi Outlander. It will be available with E-Tech hybrid engines, most likely shared with the aforementioned SUVs. Among the powertrain options, we expect to see the self-charging hybrid producing a combined 197 hp (147 kW / 200 PS) and 205 Nm (151.2 lb-ft), possibly joined by a plug-in hybrid in the future.
We will learn more about the new Rafale on its world premiere at the Paris Air Show on June 18. Until then, check out the official teaser and Renault’s explanation about the name choice.