Renault has teased its upcoming flagship model, the Rafale, a coupe SUV that will debut on June 18 at the Paris Air Show. The name is inspired by a racing plane from 1934 that was built by Caudron-Renault, a subsidiary of the French automaker.
The Rafale will be based on the CMF-CD platform and will be powered by E-Tech hybrid engines, according to Renault. It will be positioned above the Arkana, another coupe SUV that was launched in 2019. The Rafale will compete with other premium coupe SUVs such as the BMW X6, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and the Audi Q8.
The teaser image shows a sleek silhouette with a sloping roofline, a prominent grille and LED headlights. The rear end features a spoiler, a diffuser and dual exhaust tips. The Rafale also sports white badges and a new typeface on the tailgate, similar to the Megane E-Tech Electric.
Renault has not revealed any details about the powertrain options, but it is likely that the Rafale will use a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors, producing around 200 hp. This is the same setup that powers the Espace, which is now an SUV rather than a minivan.
The Rafale will also offer a spacious and modern interior, with a 13.1-inch touchscreen with the latest Pivi Pro infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster and ambient lighting. It will also feature advanced driver assistance systems such as Country Road Assist and Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control.
The Renault Rafale will go on sale in early 2024, with prices and specifications to be announced later. It will be Renault’s second fully electric car after the cute Honda e hatchback. It is part of Renault’s electrification strategy in Europe, where it aims to sell only zero-emission vehicles by 2030.