Text: Tony Vos - Photos: Automedia
From the second quarter of 2024, the new Rafale will take Renault's position in the upper market segment. The car sits on exactly the same floor group as the new Espace, but has the look of an SUV coupé.
Although journalists were invited to the unveiling at the air show, the happening was mainly a celebration of the management and development team responsible for this car.
Senard, de Meo, Cambolive, Vidal and Galipeau all stepped into the limelight and were only too happy to be photographed with the new car against the backdrop of the renowned aircraft. A flying replica of this plane was built almost 15 years ago, and was recently purchased by Renault.
The presentation provided a good opportunity to speak to several executives.
The Rafale has familiar elements in the interior from the Espace and Austral. For example, there is a specific layout of the instrument panel. Many recycled materials are used in the car. A detail: it is the first Renault where the logo is placed fully on the grille again. A novelty is the large glass Solarbay roof developed by Saint Gobain. The polymer film on the glass keeps UV radiation out. This reduces heating of the interior. The degree of sunlight transmission can be set by the driver. When the car is locked, the protection goes to maximum.
During development, full attention was given to driving pleasure without forgetting the passengers. In the back, the car offers a sea of space.
According to Renault, the motorisation suits the times. Initially, it will be the 200 hp full hybrid known from the Austral and Espace. At the end of 2024, a 300 hp plug-in hybrid with an additional electric motor on the rear axle and thus all-wheel drive will be added. All versions feature the multilink rear suspension.
In terms of pricing, the Rafale comes out slightly higher than the Espace in the comparable version.
Renault wants to attract customers with the new Rafale with very comprehensive standard equipment that costs much more at many competitors. Consequently, many prospective buyers are now driving another brand.
Gilles Vidal: "The design of the Rafale is not too sharp. There is a certain softness to a Renault that we want to emphasise. There are some sharp lines, but not too many. The lighting units also carry that sharpness. The coupé shape for an SUV improves aerodynamics. The grille has a multitude of small Renault logos on a blue background in the Esprit Alpine. A different colour is chosen for the other variants." Gilles also makes a statement about the maximum size of the wheels: "We should not exaggerate in this. The Rafale is here on 20-inch wheels and 21-inch will also be available. But they are not going to be bigger. We are not a premium brand, so we also have to think about a reasonable replacement tyre price for the customer."
Photo: From left to right Luca de Meo, Jean-Dominique Senard, Gilles Vidal, Fabrice Cambolive and Matthieu Galipeau in front of the just unveiled Renault Rafale.
Gilles is already casting a glance at the design of future models. "The new Scenic is no longer a future and the Renault 5 (2024) and Renault 4 (2025) are a pair apart with their own history-based design. The cars to come out next will be characterised by a return to simplicity and essence.” Of course, Renault's future models will all feature modern technology.
Gilles also says that at Renault Design, time will be freed up for free designs and out-of-the-box design.