Renault Rafale crossover: now with all-wheel drive and a 300-horsepower hybrid system

It is known that the new product of the French brand, which has received the addition of E-Tech 4×4 to its name, will go on sale on the European market in the fall of this year .

The global debut of the coupe-shaped crossover Renault Rafale took place in the summer of 2023, while the model entered the European market only in mid-February of this year. So far, the SUV is offered with a reduced range: both trim levels have front-wheel drive and an E-Tech hybrid installation, but in the future the line will be expanded with an all-wheel drive modification: today the company spoke in more detail about the new version of E-Tech 4×4.

In the photo: Renault Rafale E-Tech 4×4

The PHEV installation of the all-wheel drive cross-coupe is based on a 1.2-liter petrol turbo engine, which works in tandem with a starter-generator and an electric motor integrated into the gearbox, as well as with an electric motor located on the rear axle, the output of which is 136 hp. . The total output of this system is 300 hp. Acceleration from zero to “hundred” takes 6.4 seconds for this version of the model, while the front-wheel drive SUV takes 8.9 seconds.

Renault Rafale E-Tech 4×4 is also equipped with a battery with a capacity of 22 kWh. The range when driving only on electric power is 100 km (when calculated using the WLTP cycle), the total range of the crossover with a full tank and a fully charged battery is 1000 km. The battery charges up to 80% in 130 minutes, and a full charge takes 2 hours 55 minutes.

The basic Renault Rafale plug-in hybrid, called Esprit Alpine, is not much different from the previously presented front-wheel drive version. It has the corresponding nameplates on the body, as well as original 20-inch wheels. The top-of-the-line Atelier Alpine features a Satin Summit blue bodywork, a black floating spoiler, and 21-inch wheels shod with Continental sports tires.

Also for the Atelier Alpine version, there are other shock absorbers, springs, front and rear anti-roll bars, adaptive suspension with a predictive camera, reconfigured electronic units responsible for controlling regenerative braking, stabilization and trajectory control systems, as well as power steering.

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The interior of the PHEV versions has the same displays as the “regular” Renault Rafale hybrid: in front of the driver there is a 12.3-inch diagonal virtual instrument panel, and a 12-inch diagonal touchscreen of the infotainment system is located vertically in the center of the front panel. Standard equipment includes wireless smartphone charging, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera. All-wheel drive versions have blue floor mats.

Renault Rafale E-Tech 4×4 will appear in sale on the European market this fall. Prices will be announced later. In the home market, France, the cost of the current front-wheel drive version starts at 45 thousand euros (equivalent to approximately 4.44 million rubles at the current exchange rate).