The Renault Rafale, a daring hybrid of SUV, sedan and coupe, represents a risky bet for Renault during its first contact

Renault continues to expand its range by presenting the Renault Rafale, a mid-size SUV with a coupé design that is manufactured in Palencia, Spain. This model completes the sixth generation of the recently created Espace.

The Renault Rafale shares the production line with the Austral and the Espace, as well as many elements, such as the platform and the ECO-labeled 200 horsepower hybrid engine. However, it is distinguished by a sportier approach and incorporates exclusive technologies, such as the panoramic roof with liquid crystal, adding a distinctive touch to its interior.

The next Renault made in Spain

Until now, the name "Rafale" referred to two of the most important aircraft in the history of France: the Caudron C.460 Rafale of the 1930s and the Dassault Rafale fighter currently used by the French army. Now this name is also associated with Renault's new flagship.

The French company was inspired by the C.460 Rafale, created in 1934 to compete in the Coupe Deutsch de la Meurthe, which was then considered the Formula 1 of aviation. Thanks to its Renault engine, this racing plane reached a speed of 505 km/h. Thus, Renault's new SUV was named after this famous plane.

After the success of the Renault Arkana, the brand decided to offer a new coupe SUV, but this time in the D segment. This vehicle shares many points in common with the Renault Austral and the Renault Espace, such as the Renault CMF platform -CD and the 200 HP E-Tech Full Hybrid engine. Renault has therefore created an impressive car that is a continuation of its previous successes.

It's made at the same Palencia plant as the Austral and Espace, however, the new Renault takes a different approach to its siblings. Although it retains a family character, the brand assures that it places more emphasis on driving pleasure.

Unfortunately, we haven't had a chance to test it yet, so we can't confirm these claims. However, we traveled to Paris for the observer in person.

Renault's objective is to enter a segment relatively unexplored by generalist brands, that of the intermediate SUV coupé. At the same time, Renault wants to compete with the Peugeot 408, which looks more like a crossover than an SUV, but is positioned in the same category in terms of design.

Not surprisingly, Gilles Vidal, who now works at Renault and began his career designing the Rafale, is responsible for the design of the Peugeot 408.

With a length of 4.68 meters, the 408 is very similar to the 4.71 meters of the Rafale, which only exceeds the Espace by barely 1 cm, while following the wheelbase of the family SUV of 2.74 meters . However, the Rafale has wider tracks (2 cm on each side), which gives it a more dynamic look.

The key to achieving this sporty appearance is in the design of the car's rear end, with well-defined haunches that house wheels fitted with 20-inch tyres. In particular, the rear window is steeply raked with an angle of 17 degrees, which clearly differentiates the more conventional shapes of the Espace and allows the two vehicles to be clearly distinguished.

Ahead, the new Clio adopts Renault's recently introduced design language, including steeply angled LED headlights that can be matrix in this case. The boomerang-shaped daytime running lights, separate from the main light clusters, are also fitted with LEDs. In addition, the grille is revealed from other Renault models with its black color and a grid pattern that creates a blue background effect depending on the viewing angle.

Another novelty concerns the exterior color range, comprising five options of which two are new: Pearl Satin White and Alpine Blue, as can be seen in the photos accompanying this information. Additionally, the Rafale can also be finished in Desire Red, Gloss Black and Slate Gray as shown in the other images.

Built-in Google and lots of space

Inside, although it is identical to the Austral and the Espace, there are fewer novelties. However, there are some differences. It retains the design of the dashboard and center console, but the OpenR Link infotainment system now incorporates a more modern interface, based on Android Automotive 12 instead of Android Automotive 10. This update also offers improvements for the user experience, thanks to the integration of Google.

In addition, the seats have been renewed to adopt a sportier look. They are upholstered in Alcantara and include the backlit Alpine logo on the backrest in the Alpine spirit version.

Additionally, a new center downside was introduced for the rear seats. It is equipped with a retractable support designed to accommodate tablets and smartphones, as well as holes to place them. Two USB charging sockets are also available for the connector.

However, the most innovative feature is the panoramic glass roof dubbed Solarbay. The latter was developed by the Saint-Gobain company and benefits from AmpliSky technology, which makes it possible to adjust its level of brightness without operating with curtains.

It uses PDLC (Plymer Despersed Liquid Crystal) liquid crystals which, through an electric field, can be made lighter or darker at will by supplying the molecules. This material can be completely transparent, only transparent on one side or the other, and completely opaque, while still allowing the passage of light but not UV rays.

While this isn't the first time a car has used a similar type of glass, electrochromic roofs have generally been favored over LCD screens, and they were reserved for higher-end models. Unlike the latter, Renault wants to create a particularly striking transition between light and dark.

As far as space is concerned, the habitability remains preserved compared to the five-seater version of the space. The rear seats are very spacious at all levels, and the doors are wide enough to allow easy access despite the steep drop of the roof and the inclination of the C-pillar.

The interior of the car is also spacious, which is reflected in its imposing exterior dimensions. The trunk, meanwhile, has a capacity of 530 liters and has regular shapes, with a huge tailgate which greatly facilitates the loading of bulky objects.

In terms of technical specifications, the Rafale presents no innovation compared to the Space, at least for the moment. When it will already be marketed in the spring of 2024, it will be offered with a single engine, namely the 200 CV E-Tech Full Hybrid petrol hybrid package, used by the Austral and the Rafale, and associated with a multi-mode automatic transmission. (clutchless) offering up to 15 different gears and front wheel drive.

However, favored, in the second half of next year, another option will be available for the Rafale: a gasoline plug-in hybrid package developed 300 CV, allowing 4x4 driving thanks to an additional electric motor which will drive the rear axle .

Currently, we lack information regarding this mechanism. We do not yet know its battery capacity or its range in electric mode. What we do know is that it will benefit from the DGT ZERO label, but it remains to be seen if Renault will decide to use it on the Austral and Espace as well.

In addition to the engines, the Rafale shares other technologies with its Palencia counterparts. For example, it has the advanced 4Control two-axis steering system. Combined with the wider tracks of this model, this promises to make the Rafale more dynamic than the Espace.

We also need to review the price until we can verify it. To give a point of reference, the Renault Espace is currently on sale from 43,500 euros. However, it is important to note that the Rafale is the new flagship of the brand and will therefore be more expensive.

It remains to be seen whether the basic version of the Rafale remains below 50,000 euros, which is the upper limit for the 225 CV Peugeot 408 GT plug-in hybrid, which is the top model of the Peugeot range with a label ZERO.