Renault has unveiled its new Austral compact SUV, replacing the Kadjar with an electrified line-up that includes full hybrid engines.

The Renault Austral will go on sale from the last quarter 2022.

The brand has said it’s on a mission to “win back the C-segment that forms the core of the global automotive market” and the new Austral marks the next milestone in its offensive, already started by the Arkana and the new Megane E-Tech Electric.

It’s the first Renault to be designed on the third-generation CMF-CD platform, developed within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance to overhaul the compact and high-end segment line-ups within all three brands.

As a result of the new platform, the Kadjar replacement ushers in latest electrification technologies.

The engine line-up includes an E-Tech full hybrid, using a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, paired with an electric motor, a 1.7kWh battery, and a multi-mode clutch-less transmission. It delivers up to 200hp of power and emissions of 105g/km along with up to 61.4mpg WLTP combined.

Two petrol mild hybrids will also be offered: a 130hp 48V unit and a 140hp 12V system.

All of the trio feature regenerative braking and the full hybrid gives the driver a choice of four driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Perso – the latter able to be tailored to suit driver choices. An Extended Grip Pack includes two additional modes: ‘Snow’ and ‘All roads’

Renault claims the Austral will offer the best comfort/efficiency/responsiveness ratio on the market. Two different chassis systems will be used: flexible torsion beam for two-wheel steering models and a multi-link rear axle with 4Control Advanced for four-wheel steering.

The interior brings a “cocoon of technology”, including a cockpit-focused design built around the large OpenR screen that combines a 12.3-inch dashboard instrument display with a 12-inch vertical multimedia screen. A 9.3-inch head-up display is also available.

The ‘cruising’ centre console houses a streamlined handrest to render use of the multimedia screen more comfortable, and includes a phone slot with inductive charging capabilities.

Depending on the trim and chosen extras, the interior incorporates real wood, leather, Alcantara and padded textiles, alongside gloss black and satin chrome finishes and a customisable ‘Living lights’ lighting system.

Exterior styling features includes 17-inch to 20-inch alloys, most of which are diamond-cut. The Austral also becomes the first Renault to introduce a sporty-look Esprit Alpine version, based on the group’s flagship brand and including a bi-tone finish as standard.

A total of 32 driver assistance technologies are on offer and can be grouped together in three categories: driving, parking and safety.

They include Active Driver Assist, level 2 autonomy that combines the Adaptive Cruise Control with ‘Stop & Go’, lane centring, 360-degree around view 3D camera and automated park assist. Other technologies encompass 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.

The Renault Austral will go on sale from the last quarter 2022.