Amidst an arms race to make models or trim levels as confusing or as lengthy as possible, I’m really sure the ‘Renault Rafale E-Tech 4WD 300 hp plug-in hybrid’ is in the running for the win this year so far. Nonetheless, while it’s not a catchy name, there’s actually a lot to like with this new Renault Rafale PHEV. For starters, it features the brand’s latest plug-in hybrid powertrain, aiming to find a more dynamic balance between speed and efficiency. It all comes down to the 22kWh battery pack in the new Rafale, which offers a respectable 65-mile pure-electric driving range. That’s superb for a plug-in hybrid in its class, not to mention the 300hp output.
Specifically, you’re looking at a front motor with 70hp and 205Nm of torque, a rear motor with 136hp and 195Nm of torque, while the internal combustion engine outputs another 150hp and 230Nm of torque. Alongside these, there’s the Rafale PHEV’s 34hp starter-generator, which all contributes to a combined output of 300hp, good for a 0 to 62mph sprint in just 6.4 seconds. It then tops out at 111mph, so performance-wise, this is one decently fast hybrid crossover SUV. If you’re thinking about getting one, the new Renault Rafale PHEV starts from £45,695 for the techno esprit Alpine trim, or if you have deeper pockets, £49,695 for the atelier Alpine trim.
Blending Hybrid Efficiency With Electrified Power
While you’re speeding along in your new Renault Rafale PHEV (of which I refuse to type out its full name for the sake of brevity), you could do so knowing that you’re barely leaving a dent in Mother Nature. The techno esprit Alpine trim barely ekes out 12g/km, while the atelier Alpine trim emits a slightly bit higher CO2 emissions, at 15g/km. Moreover, on the subject of efficiency, the techno esprit Alpine trim has a WLTP hybrid combined cycle of 564.9 MPG, and even with the atelier Alpine model, you can still expect 403.5 MPG. As I mentioned earlier, you can drive up to 65 miles in pure electric bliss, though the atelier Alpine trim is a tad lower at 59 miles.
For most motorists here in the UK, whose commutes are inside that range, you could definitely get away with not touching the engine at all, driving purely off of the battery pack. And, if you do need to go the distance with your new Renault Rafale PHEV, on a full tank, between the ICE and electric motors, it can drive as far as 621 miles, before you need to fill up. If you’re curious about charging it, a standard 7.4kW domestic wall charger in your home will fill up the battery in under 3 hours. Of course, there’s more to the Rafale PHEV than just raw power and a pretty respectable hybrid setup, as Renault’s done a lot of under-the-hood tuning with it, too.
A Capable Performance SUV That Won’t Break The Bank
The Rafale PHEV features a four-wheel-drive (4WD) and Renault’s bespoke 4Control Advanced 4-wheel steering system. It’s not often you see this in its class, but that’ll allow your Rafale PHEV to have amazing stability and precision when you’re cruising at higher speeds. Alternatively, if you need to navigate tight parking spaces or narrow streets, it has a tiny turning circle of just 1.2 metres. For those of you who want even more performance out of it, maybe you ought to consider the atelier Alpine trim, which comes with extra tuning, courtesy of the folks at Alpine. Most notably, the new Renault Rafale PHEV in this trim has a specially tuned chassis.
There’s even an intelligent self-adjusting suspension system, which adopts a camera to predict and then adjust the damping based on the conditions of the road ahead. Elsewhere, besides its sporting exterior design and special trim – all those shiny bits can be had with the atelier Alpine model – the cabin gets a nice makeover, as well. You’ll find loads of Alcantara, with quilted and perforated upholstery, ambient lighting, massage seats, two giant screens, and more. Now, I’ll be honest, a high-performance hybrid crossover SUV isn’t really my kind of thing, but if I had to choose one, Renault, with some of that Alpine magic, does make this rather appealing.
