New Renault Rafale breaks new ground

To conquer, once again, the C-core segment of the market, that is, the segment with the greatest penetration among the contemporary consumer audience, an objective that is one of the fundamental pillars of the Renaulution strategic plan, Renault presents a completely new and daring model: the new Rafale.

“Rafale” in French means a gust of wind, while also referring to aeronautics, which was an important part of Renault’s history: the Caudron-Renault Rafale, which flew at a record speed of 445 km/h. in 1934, is just one example.

The new Renault Rafale has the latest technology in the field of connectivity, while it is equipped with a fully hybrid engine E-Tech 200 hp, which is economical and compact, while extensively recycled materials are used in its construction.

The model was created with the aim of raising the feeling of driving pleasure, while it has technological innovations capable of securing a prominent position in the world of high-performance cars, thanks to the new 300-horsepower powertrain in the E-Tech 4×4 version.

Coupe – a bold and dynamic SUV

The slightly raised fastback body classifies the new Renault Rafale in the coupe-SUV segment. The appearance of the car reflects dynamism and sportiness. The large horizontal bonnet hints at the power that lies beneath. At the front, the new grille and new distinctive lighting structure stand out. The curved hood and sculpted front bumper seem to pull the car forward.

The shoulder blades projecting over the rear wheels reflect the power that drives the car. Its image, even at a stop, immediately gives the impression that the car wants to launch itself. The steeply sloping roof is another feature that indicates speed.

The perfect proportions

The new Renault Rafale measures 4.71 meters long and 1.86 meters wide, dimensions that place it at the heart of the D-class, while its height of 1.61 meters undoubtedly places it among sporty SUVs. The long wheelbase (2.74m) and the roofline of the new Renault Rafale that tapers lower as it approaches the rear window help create plenty of space for the rear passengers.

The rear windshield is 17 degrees, which helps with aerodynamic performance, while eliminating the need for a rear wiper, keeping the vehicle’s design line clean.

The wide track ensures a unique level of stability and accentuates the display profile, both from a vertical perspective (the wheels protrude slightly) and from a horizontal perspective (the 20-inch wheels fill the arches).

New lighting signature

The new Clio was the first car in the Renault range to be fitted with the brand’s new headlights, while the new Rafale is the second. The design clearly demonstrates the new Renault identity: diamond-shaped, impressive and powerful patterns contribute to the aesthetic modernization of the vehicle’s image.

Frame: Precision built for driving pleasure

Driving pleasure was one of Renault’s primary goals in developing the new drive system in the Rafale. The model features a multi-link rear axle, with the latest upgrade of the advanced 4-wheel 4CONTROL steering system.

The multi-link suspension ensures perfect handling, without sacrificing comfort.
The advanced 4CONTROL steering system significantly improves control and enhances flexibility at low speeds, while ensuring precision and immediacy at medium and high speeds.

The new Rafale also has Vehicle Motion Control 2 (VMC 2). This is an upgraded electronic system that controls the rear wheels. It more effectively predicts traction loss so the driver can turn safely and knows all four wheels are optimally positioned over rough terrain.

The engine: an example of hybrid technology

The new Renault Rafale is equipped with a fully hybrid E-Tech petrol engine with an output of 200 hp, combined with a multi-function automatic gearbox, without clutch.

This power unit is powerful, economical and self-charging. It offers the best performance / consumption ratio on the market (4.7 l / 100 km and 105 g CO2 / km.) And autonomy that defies long journeys (up to 1100 km). Thanks to the MULTI-SENSE system, the driver can easily choose the driving experience he wants.

E-Tech 4 x 4300 HP high-performance version, available in the near future

Designed for driving pleasure and performance never seen before in the Renault range, the new Renault Rafale will later be updated with the addition of the 300hp hybrid powertrain. The upgraded suite contains two technology additions.

The first concerns the addition of a second electric motor on the rear axle, which drives the wheels directly, making the new Rafale an all-wheel drive coupe.

At the same time, the new Rafale adopts, in this version, a plug-in hybrid technology with the possibility of being used as a purely electric drive in almost all daily trips, with great autonomy on long trips, without any stress – and without any stress. Absolutely no compromise, when it comes to driving pleasure.

In addition to the all-wheel drive system and the advanced 4CONTROL all-wheel drive system, the future high-performance E-Tech 4 x 4300 hp version of the new Renault Rafale is designed to have a perfectly balanced chassis, for dynamic handling in all conditions.

Solarbay, a new glass sunroof that has dimming capability

The Solarbay’s impressive and innovative panoramic glass roof measuring 1,470 x 1,117 mm was developed by Saint-Gobain, and the Renault Rafale is the first car to use it. AmpliSky technology replaces traditional glass surfaces with a fully active system that dims each pane individually using electric fields. Thus, it provides, in seconds, maximum protection from the sun, while the spectacle of successive alternation of the nine sections of the entire glass surface, in dark colour, is impressive. This smart glass ceiling can also be controlled by voice via the Google Assistant and is powered by a ceiling light switch.

Sports seats with illuminated logo

The all-new seats in the New Renault Rafale feature sidewalls that are reinforced to match the vehicle’s dynamic behaviour, ensuring an unrivaled level of lateral support. Alcantara trim helps keep the driver upright, adds to the sporty feel and is environmentally friendly (this is the first time the 61% recycled Alcantara material has been used). The arrow logo on the top of the seatback literally lights up and flashes to the beat of a human heart – a symbol of the heightened excitement one feels as one approaches the vehicle.

The illumination is adjusted to match the color selected in the MULTI-SENSE system settings. The lighting is built into the elastic fabric so it doesn’t stiffen the seat back at all. This technology is being used here for the first time all over the world.

plentiful dimensions

The long wheelbase of the new Rafale is 2.74m. Ensures ample (302 mm) knee room at the back. The long wheelbase also provides more space for rear passengers who will not have any problems with the sloping roof – 880 mm in the rear seat, without affecting the coupe image.

At the same time, the new Rafale has a particularly spacious trunk, with a capacity of 647 liters.

Hi-tech rear armrest

An example of the care taken to keep rear passengers comfortable is the innovative center armrest of the new Renault Rafale, designed for multimedia devices that make life inside the car more enjoyable. This high-tech armrest features two USB ports and storage space for tablets and smartphones, as well as two foldable monitor stands for comfortable viewing.

Large graphics screens

The Renault Rafale’s OpenR digital system consists of two L-shaped screens: horizontal TFT 321 square meters. With a diagonal of 12.3 inches on the dashboard (1920 x 720 pixels in landscape mode), a vertical of 453 square meters. 12-inch touchscreen in the center of the console (1250 x 1562 pixels, in portrait orientation);

Seamless connection

With the new Renault Rafale, thanks to integrated Google services, there are no boundaries between your digital life outside and inside the car, nor between your smartphone and the OpenR Link in-car multimedia system.

The system integrates functions such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and many other applications (50 or more depending on the country and version) from the Google Play catalog. Its interface is also fully customizable, connecting wired or wirelessly, while being compatible with smartphones running Android Auto or Apple Carplay. The OpenR Link multimedia system in the new Rafale uses Android Automotive 12, which, among other improvements, makes it easier to pair devices via Bluetooth while simplifying navigation through certain menus. At the same time, OpenR Link is scalable and connects to the cloud to automatically download recommended updates using FOTA (Firmware Over The Air) technology, so there’s no need to visit a workshop to get system updates.

With artificial intelligence (AI)

The new Renault Rafale incorporates a number of artificial intelligence capabilities aimed at assisting the driver and passengers. In many cases, the system acts proactively – for example turning off the air conditioner if the window is open, or turning it on if it’s too hot inside.

These proactive actions are based on “routine” patterns that the AI ​​system picks up and analyzes over time.

A higher level of safety with driving pleasure in mind

The new Renault Rafale has 32 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) divided into three categories: Driving, Safety and Parking. At the same time, the Active Driver Assistance System provides assistance when driving on the highway and in heavy traffic conditions, ensuring level two autonomous driving on all types of roads. It achieves this by combining adaptive cruise control with a lane-keeping system, but also by drawing position information from specific maps, and adjusting the vehicle’s behavior to proactively adapt to road conditions.