Renault Rafale Crossover Coupe Goes on Sale With 300-HP PHEV

Pricing starts from £45,695 (equaling $59,845) on the road for the Techno Esprit Alpine flavor and £49,695 ($65,085) for the Atelier Alpine grade, which makes it about as costly as a brand-new entry-level BMW X3. The latter comes from £48,375 ($63,355) in the UK, and if you're into sportier alternatives, then you could opt for a fresh-off-the-lot 4 Series Coupe from £44,195 ($57,880).

Renault's latest addition to the Rafale family is a plug-in hybrid with an electric motor at the rear and a high-voltage starter generator. The automaker quotes a combined output of 300 European horsepower. This comes out to 296 brake horsepower and 221 kilowatts. Performance-wise, you're looking at a 111 mph (179 kph) top speed and 0-62 mph (100 kph) in a very decent 6.4 seconds. The model returns up to 564.9 UK mpg (470.4 US mpg/0.50 l/100 km) on the WLTP cycle and emits from 12 g/km of CO2.

The 22 kWh battery pack enables an electric driving range of 65 miles (105 km) in the lesser trim level and 59 miles (95 km) for the upper spec. The Rafale weighs nearly two tons (lbs), has 107.8 inches (2,738 mm) between the axles, and an overall length of 185.4 inches (4,710 mm). The overall height is 63.5 inches (1,613 mm), and it has an overall width with unfolded mirrors of 82.1 inches (2,085 mm). It's far from being an off-roader, yet Renault also quotes 16.7 degrees for the approach angle and 19.8 degrees for the departure angle with maximum load.

In terms of equipment, the Renault Rafale Techno Esprit Alpine  E-Tech 4WD 300 (Jeez, that's a long name!) comes with 20-inch diamond-cut black alloys with smoked varnish, boot alloy kickplate, typical exterior styling, matrix LED headlights, and mirage effect rear lights. The Alcantara synthetic leather and fabric upholstery mix is on deck, alongside the ambient lighting, aluminum pedals, dual-zone climate control, electric tailgate, heated front seats, heated windscreen, heated steering wheel, paddle shifters for regenerative braking, heated side mirrors, 9.3-inch HUD, 12-inch infotainment, 12.3-inch driver display, wireless charging pad, etc.

Picking up the Renault Rafale Atelier Alpine E-Tech 4WD 300 will get you all of the above and then some, with the French car manufacturer mentioning the larger 21-inch alloys, specific badging, a diamond black floating spoiler, puddle lamps, hands-free parking, 360-degree camera system, panoramic sunroof, premium audio, Google built-in features for the 12-inch infotainment system, and others. Both models also get blind spot warning, lane departure warning, distance warning alert, E-call, tire inflation kit, tire pressure warning light, occupant safe exit alert, adaptive cruise control, four-wheel steering, all-wheel drive, and others.