By Otsile Kadiege

Renault recently added a new model to their SUV line-up – the all-new Austral. According to the French automaker the Austral will serve to bolster efforts to win back the C-segment which forms the core of the global automotive market.  The Renault Austral boasts an athletic exterior design, a modern interior with new technologies, mild hybrid powertrains and a host of advanced driver assistance systems. It debuts the Renault’s new platform and new trim levels.

Exterior design

The new Austral’s exterior design looks sporty with a touch of sophistication thanks to Renault’s modern signature angular headlights with diamond-shaped patterns, sharp body creases and wheel sizes ranging between 17- to 20-inches. Rear highlights include LED tail lights with micro-optic technology, a faux diffuser, an integrated spoiler and ‘Austral’ lettering on the centre of the tailgate.

The Renault Austral comes in seven body colours. The ‘Esprit Alpine’ version also features the exclusive Satin Shale Grey.

Interior design and technology

The new Austral’s high-tech cockpit is built around the large OpenR screen that combines the 12.3-inch dashboard instrument display with the 12-inch vertical multimedia screen. The new 9.3-inch Head Up Display, projected through the windscreen, adds to the total number of screens on board. Depending on the trim and chosen extras, the interior of the Austral incorporates real timber, leather, Alcantara, padded textiles and other form-fitted materials which are said to be soft touch and paired with lacquered highlights in Deep Glossy Black and Satin Chrome.

Other interior highlights include a multifunctional flat-top and bottom steering wheel with hepatic feedback controls, Arkamys sound system or the optional Harman Kardon sound system, inductive charging, 35 litres of numerous practical storages, customisable lighting system called ‘Living Lights’ and a sliding rear bench.

Austral ‘Esprit Alpine’

The new Austral will be available in various model derivatives however, the automaker only shared details of the high-end ‘Esprite Alpine’ model. This derivative will include the following: Satin Grey sport blade; 20″ diamond-cut black Daytona aluminium rims with ‘Alpine’ branding; Satin Black roof rails; and décor highlights in Diamond Black, Extra Glossy Black and Ice black appear across the car’s exterior. Inside, Esprit Alpine also boasts a number of distinctive elements: blue stitching and piping; unique, Alcantara upholstery with carbon-fibre ’twill’ fabric; Nappa leather steering wheel with Alcantara inserts and stitching in blue, white and red; aluminium pedals and door sills bearing the ‘Alpine’ logo.

New platform, new powertrains

The All-New Renault Austral benefits from a range of innovative powertrains with a selection of electrified motors. Powering the new Austral is a 1.2 litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine paired to an electric motor with a 1.7 kWh lithium-ion 400V battery. It has a combined power of up to 146 kW and fuel consumption is at a claimed 4.6 l/100 km. It’s also powered by a two more mild hybrids paired to either a 1.2 litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine or a turbocharged 1.3 litre 4-cylinder enigine.

The new Austral is the first Renault model to benefit from the Alliance’s new CMF-CD next generation platform. The chassis comes in two versions: flexible torsion beam for two-wheel steering models and a multi-link rear axle with 4Control Advanced for four-wheel steering. According to Renault, the Austral has been made more rigid, the anti-roll enhanced and the chassis made lighter yet sturdier for the best comfort/efficiency/responsiveness ratio on the market.

Driving aids

The Renault Austral features 32 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) that can be grouped together in three categories: driving, parking and safety.

They include: a new-generation 9.3-inch Head Up Display, projected through the windscreen; Active Driver Assist, level 2 autonomy that combines the Adaptive Cruise Control with ‘Stop & Go’, Lane Centering, GPS data and mapping so the car can adapt the route as needed; 360° around view 3D camera; Automated Park Assist; Blind Spot Warning and Lane Departure Prevention when overtaking; Rear Automatic Emergency Braking; Rear Cross Traffic Alert; Matrix LED Vision smart lighting and Occupant Safe Exit.