Renault aims to revive its image with the Rafale Alpine, a performance-oriented hybrid SUV. This model boasts a powerful engine, advanced technology, and a luxurious interior. But will it be enough to compete with the established German luxury brands?
Safrane. Vel Satis. Avantime. Remember them? Exactly.to somewhat muted applause. So this performance one, or ‘super hybrid’ as Renault likes to call it, is intended to stir the soul, having been tuned by the racy Alpine team.combine with the same 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine (although boosted with a new turbocharger) to deliver around 60 miles of pure EV range and a total output of 300hp.
The ride is improved over the base Rafale thanks to a new camera system that reads the road ahead and self-adjusts the generally soft suspension to successfully pre-empt broken roads and speed bumps.Passengers in the back will love the genius foldout stands for all their devices, plus oodles of knee, head and luggage space.Less intuitive is the multitude of appendages sprouting out from behind the already heavily buttoned steering wheel. Four stalks are simply too many. And there is a bank of shortcut buttons, under the screen, to placate those who occasionally need something to physically push. It’s a handsome thing to look at though, especially in this bespoke matte blue paint with diamond black roof spoiler – only available on this top Atelier Alpine model, albeit for a cool £1,700 premium. But otherwise it’s hugely spec’d up as standard and you’ll not need to tick any further option boxes to tip you any more over the £50k mark.There are stunning 21in alloys, hands-free parking and boot opening, 12-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, voice- controlled “opacifying” panoramic glass roof, 360 degree camera and a lovely, intricate 3D grille.for not giving up on the dream of competing with the German upper classes. If you don’t try, you definitely won’t succeed
Renault Rafale Alpine Hybrid Luxury SUV Performance
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