The Renault Rafale 300 hp 4X4: A Worthy Heir to the Safrane Biturbo?
This page is translated from the original post "Le Renault Rafale 4X4 de 300 ch digne héritier de la Safrane Biturbo ?" in French.
- 01/11/2024 18:02
What if Renault had finally found a winning formula by giving a sporty engine to a Rafale that was just waiting for it?
Most of Renault’s attempts to compete with premium manufacturers in the high-end market have ended in failure. The sales figures of the large sedan Talisman will not contradict this statement. And what can be said about the Vel Satis… Ultimately, looking back over the years, one model comes to mind. In 1992, the diamond brand unveiled the Safrane to replace its best-seller Renault 25 and embody the brand’s luxury segment. The ambition was to compete with prestigious German sedans. To meet its ambitious goals, Renault launched the impressive Safrane Biturbo in March 1992 at the Geneva Motor Show.
A simple yet formidable recipe with a technical foundation featuring all-wheel drive, providing impeccable handling for both daily use and a quick spin on the track. To ensure success, Renault turned to two German tuners, the coachbuilder Irmscher and the engine specialist Hartge. The latter was tasked with boosting the 2,963 cm³ V6 PRV engine by adding two KKK turbos to develop 268 hp, reaching a top speed of 250 km/h.
This reference from a bygone era certainly inspired Renault’s engineers when developing this sporty Rafale. No KKK turbos here, but instead four motors: one thermal and three electric, reaching a total of 300 horsepower. This new plug-in hybrid engine has been specifically designed for the Renault Rafale E-Tech 4×4 300 hp, offering top-tier performance and up to 1,000 km of range. Besides this unique powertrain, the model stands out with a new Atelier Alpine trim featuring a chassis and an agility control system developed by Alpine Cars engineers, as well as an intelligent adaptive suspension with predictive camera. Combined with all-wheel and rear-wheel steering, these elements create a technical configuration unprecedented in the mainstream manufacturer’s market, much like the Renault Safrane Biturbo in its time.
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