Renault bets on the high-end. Here is Rafale coupe-sized hybrid SUV

Lateral thinking, i.e. looking at the problem from different angles, as opposed to the traditional way of concentrating on a direct solution to the problem. A concept that fits in with the arrival on the road of the Renault Rafale, that is, how the French brand aims to return to the flagship segment not with the 'classic' three-box but with a coupe SUV over 4.70 metres long combined with a hybrid powertrain. Not just a desire to position itself higher than the Austral and Espace from which it derives, but with a personal style thanks to the hand of Gilles Vidal, but with the aim of conquering significant numbers in the corporate fleet world.

Built on the Cmf C/D platform, it claims a length of 4.71 metres, height stops at 1.61 metres and width is 1.86 metres with a track width 4 cm wider than Espace and the wheelbase is 2.74 metres. The light signature is also new, with optional matrix LED headlights. Five colours are available: satin pearl white, Sommit blue, Passion red, Nero Étoilé and Scisto grey are the other colours available. Exclusively for the E-Tech 4x4 300 hp Atelier Alpine version will come in satin Sommit blue.

While the exterior is convincing in its clear differentiation from the Austral and Espace, the dashboard suffers from the photocopy effect increasingly present in Renault models. In keeping with tradition, it is present.

The large 12-inch central touchscreen from which to operate the OpenR link infotainment system with apps and Google navigation. New, instead, are the front seats with greater containment and illuminated A on the Alpine version. Goodbye also to leather on board. The main novelties come at the rear, where the sliding bench disappears but the central armrest with USB c sockets, several compartments and a tablet holder makes its debut. The load compartment is large, with a capacity starting at 627 litres. Another new feature is the Solarbay opaque glass roof with PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Cristal) technology; at the push of a button it can be set to: fully transparent roof, fully opaque roof, transparent roof at the front and opaque at the rear or vice versa. The sporty-style seats are made of 61 per cent recycled Alcantara while the same material was chosen to cover the inside of the steering wheel on the Esprit Alpine version.

As for the powertrain, we find the 130 hp 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine combined with two electric units. The main one delivers 50 kW equivalent to 70 hp, with torque of up to 205 Nm. Its operation is ensured by a 2 kWh/400V lithium-ion battery. The second of the two electric motors is a 25 kW HSG (High-voltage Starter Generator) type with a torque of 50 Nm and is responsible for starting the heat engine and also for shifting gears in the clutchless tooth clutch transmission. All this in cooperation with the energy recovery that is automatically activated during deceleration and braking.