RENAULT

Renault Austral and Vrele Gume on the roads of Madrid

The various roads in a 150 km circle around Madrid are the right place to discover the new Renault Austal among the first European press teams. In addition to Michaelmas' extremely long summer, Spain was chosen as the test drive location because the Austral is made right here in Palencia.

With one of the best infotainment on the market, and officially the most efficient hybrid drive, Renault Austral is tasked with increasing the French manufacturer's share in the competitive C-segment.

Austral is part of the “New Wave” offensive, which also includes the Megane Conquest and Megane ETECH Electric models.

To annoy premium manufacturers, Austral is also offered in the “Esprit Alpine” version, which brings a sportier look, dynamism and exclusive design details.

Seven new matte finish colors (Glacier White, Pearl White, Flame Red, Iron Blue, Diamond Black and Shale Grey) highlight the athletic look and are also easy to maintain.

A feeling of spaciousness, an experience of robustness, an advertisement with a sporty character! All this is packed in dimensions: length 4.51m, wheelbase 2.67, width 1.83 and height 1.63 meters.

The massive silhouette is emphasized by wheels measuring up to 20 inches and a ground clearance of 180 mm.

The front seats are generously sized and the rear seat is movable. Therefore, the basic capacity of the trunk is 500 and 575 liters, respectively. Depending on the version, by folding down the rear seats, you get from 1455 to 1525 liters of usable space.

Cabin dividers provide 31 to 35 liters of storage space for small and necessary items.

The so-called “crusing” center console is part of the long-haul truck tradition, and here it is applied in a more practical way. An inductive cell phone charger is built into the armrest.

New platform and engine...Austral is installed on the third generation CMF-CD platform specially designed for electric motors. The chassis is available in two versions: flexible torsion axle suspension for front wheel steering and multilink rear suspension for 4 wheel steering (4 controls). In the first version, the turning radius is 11.2 meters, while with full steering it is 10.1 meters – a record in the segment.

The engine is powered by a 1.3 liter (1333 cc) mild hybrid with a 12 Volt Li-ion battery pack. This inline four-cylinder engine comes in 140 and 160 hp versions.

Transmissions are either six-speed manual or advanced X-Tronic CVT for optimal driving pleasure. Tested on previous Renault models, this engine achieves an average consumption of 6.2 liters in the combined driving cycle.

A unit of 1.2 (1199 cc) volume, 3 cylinders and a 48 V battery, configure a new advanced mild hybrid engine that develops 130 hp. It is also called the instinctive alternative to diesel propulsion. The transmission is a six-speed manual. Average consumption: 5.2 liters per 100 km.

Available in 160 and 200 hp versions, the all-new E-TECH Full Hybrid combines the familiar 1.2 liter three-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a 400 V lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1.7 kWh. . The transmission is a seven-speed automatic.

Acceleration to 100 km/h is 8.4 seconds for the 200 hp version or 9 for the 160 hp version. Both models achieve excellent acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in 5.5 and 6.6 seconds.

We noticed exceptional driving stability and excellent weight balance. The exceptional suspension contributes to comfort and excellent driving dynamics, especially on winding roads, where not only the suspension comes to the fore, but also exceptional cornering behavior.

To all this, we must also add the extraordinary acoustic insulation of the cabin, which, in short, gives a premium feeling to those who drive it.

Consumption in the combined cycle is 4.6 l/100km. This innovative unit is the result of around 200 patents won by Renault.

For all types of driving, Renault has announced a top speed of 175 km/h.

High-tech cockpit...The driving experience on the Austral is largely defined by the high-tech interior. Two large 12-inch high-resolution screens and a 9.3-inch head-up display provide a screen area of ​​up to 1000 square centimeters. The screens are coated with “Gorilla” glass for durability and easy maintenance.

Up to 32 assistance systems are available for the driver.

The soundscape is provided by the Harman Kardon audio system. Ambient lighting is called “Lights for Life”. 100% in LED technology, this light is adapted to the internal clock of the shell body and changes color every 30 minutes.

And finally, perhaps the most important observation that will answer the question to which class this model belongs:

The Austral is officially the successor to the Kadjar, but Renault's new hybrid is an entirely different continent than the previous model.

See you in Spring...According to the company's announcements, the model will arrive in Serbia in January and the price...it's still too early for any answers!

From Madrid to Hot Tires: Miroslav Schossberger

Photos: Vrele Gume archive