Renault Rafale E-Tech 4x4 300, the plug-in hybrid SUV test: lots of horsepower and technology

Renaul has a new flagship: the plug-in hybrid version of the Rafale suv-coupé. Indeed, the Rafale E-Tech 4x4 300 (horsepower) is a concentrate of solutions, customisations and technologies that not only distinguish it from the full-hybrid E-Tech 200, but also from every other Renault. To make the concept even clearer, just think that there are substantial differences between the €53,000 Esprit Alpine trim and the €57,000 Atelier Alpine, because this configuration has involved the engineers of Renault's sports brand. In short, the one that develops both the French manufacturer's road and competition cars, including Formula 1 and hypercars that take part in the Endurance World Championship.  

The powertrain of this Rafale, which develops a total of 300 horsepower, is a true four-engine unit. In fact, the system integrates, like that of the two-wheel drive version, a 1.2 litre petrol engine but with a different turbo that has allowed power to be raised to 150 horsepower and torque to 230 Nm, a front electric unit with 70 horsepower and another that acts as starter, generator and synchroniser of the electro-actuated gearbox, which dedicates four gears to the petrol unit and two to the electric, but is completed by an electric motor with 136 horsepower that moves the rear wheels, which are also steered. Power is provided by a 22 kWh battery that can be fully recharged in 3 hours with alternating current up to 7.4 kW and promises zero-emission mileage of up to 105 kilometres.

The equipment is common to the two configurations of this Rafale, while the Atelier Alpine is distinguished by the set-up integrated by 21" rims and revised in all components, with specific calibrations and equipped with active and predictive shock absorbers, i.e. that set themselves optimally for traction and comfort for the road they are about to face based on data collected by cameras and sensors. Alpine's care has extended to the calibration of the control units that manage normal and regenerative braking, power steering, dynamism management systems and car configuration settings. In addition to the Hybrid, Ev with which you can touch 135 per hour and e-Save to 'freeze' what the battery contains, there are the Eco, Comfort, Sport, Personal and Snow. This is the only one that does not allow tailoring of trim, four-wheel steering and dynamism management systems. Regardless of this, depending on the car configuration set, both the range of available power varies, for example in Eco from 185 to 300 horsepower and in Snow from 250 to 300 horsepower, and the distribution of traction, which can be only on the front or only on the rear axle, also depending on speed, continuously variable or equally distributed over the two axles for low-grip surfaces.  

With a length of 4.71 metres, a width of 1.87 metres, a height of 1.61 metres and a wheelbase of 2.74 metres like the self-recharging hybrid version, the Rafale plug-in only stands out aesthetically due to the presence of the compartment housing the battery recharging socket on the left rear mudguard. However, the angular and muscular yet sleek and balanced bodywork can only be customised by special and specific colour combinations. The same applies to the interior, in particular that of the Atelier Alpine which is customised by the French blue colouring, needless to say, of the floor mats and some upholstery.

In the cockpit, which offers plenty of space for five people, the Rafale's hi-tech character is underlined by the digitalisation that can bring almost a square metre of display on board by adding the optional head-up display to the 12.3" instrumentation and 12" infotainment screens, based on the OpenR link operating system integrated with Google, which gives access to many connected services and more than fifty apps. The styling of the interior rewards the eye-catching vertical infotainment display and the aviation-inspired central armrest with the functionality imparted by the presence of clearly visible physical or touch controls, many capacious storage compartments and the rear central armrest that houses compartments, Usb-C sockets and holders for storing tablets and phones. The only drawback is the gearstick lever on the steering wheel column that can be confused with the windscreen wiper lever.