Renault Rafale, like a hurricane?

What could be the position of Renault’s new coupe SUV Rafale among Mégane, Arkana, Austral, and Scenic?

Renault is showcasing its new luxury coupe SUV, Rafale, exclusively at the Lyon Motor Show. With great ambitions and a name inspired by Renault’s history as an aeronautical engine manufacturer in the 1930s.

With its E-Tech full hybrid 200 hp powertrain, Rafale completes the E-Tech hybrid model family after Austral, the 5-seater SUV that shares its platform, and Espace, the large 5- and 7-seater SUV. This positioning is somewhat uncertain, especially since the new Scenic has just been introduced and no longer resembles the minivan it once was. That’s quite a lot of SUVs for Renault!

And when it comes to design, it’s also particularly confusing, even a bit awkward, since like its cousin Scenic, Rafale cannot hide its resemblance to the latest Peugeot models! No surprise, considering it was designed by Gilles Vidal, who left the Sochaux manufacturer to take the helm of Renault’s design department three years ago.

This new Renault Rafale E-Tech full hybrid 200 hp will be marketed in spring 2024, but it is likely to undergo further technological developments soon after. Perhaps the best way to give it an identity is to place it at the heart of high-performance automotive universe with an E-Tech 300 hp powertrain and all-wheel drive. Renault presents it as a sporty coupe SUV rather than just another high-riding, upscale iteration; we agree. The question of pricing remains, to be announced soon, but first and foremost, the message must be clarified to prevent the Rafale from just making noise without substance.

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