The Renault Rafale is a mid-size crossover SUV produced by the French automobile manufacturer Renault. Unveiled in June 2023 at the Paris Air Show, the vehicle is positioned as a flagship model within Renault's lineup. It is classified as a coupe-SUV due to its fastback-style sloping roofline.
Design and Development
The Rafale is the first production vehicle designed entirely under the direction of Gilles Vidal since he joined Renault as the head of design. It introduces a new design language for the brand, characterized by sharp lines and a distinct front grille pattern. The vehicle is built on the CMF-CD platform, a modular architecture developed by the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance, which it shares with the Renault Austral and the sixth-generation Renault Espace.
Etymology
The name "Rafale" (French for "gust of wind") is a tribute to Renault’s historical involvement in aviation. Specifically, it references the Caudron-Renault C.460 Rafale, a single-seat racing aircraft designed in the 1930s that used Renault engines to achieve various speed records.
Specifications and Powertrains
The Renault Rafale is marketed exclusively with electrified powertrains as part of Renault's "E-Tech" strategy.
- E-Tech Full Hybrid: The standard model features a self-charging hybrid system consisting of a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired with two electric motors. This configuration produces a combined output of 147 kW (200 hp).
- E-Tech 4x4 300 hp: A high-performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant includes an additional electric motor on the rear axle, providing four-wheel-drive capability and a total system output of 221 kW (300 hp). This version also features a larger battery pack to support extended electric-only driving.
Features
The interior of the Rafale utilizes the "OpenR" digital cockpit, which includes an L-shaped configuration of screens for the instrument cluster and the infotainment system. The vehicle also features an "Solarbay" panoramic glass roof, which uses polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) technology to switch between transparent and opaque states electronically, eliminating the need for a physical sunblind.
