Renault’s flagship Rafale plug-in hybrid opens for orders
Renault’s range-topping Rafale E-Tech plug-in hybrid is now on sale in the UK, delivering high performance and efficiency.
The new flagship version of the SUV-coupé joins the existing full hybrid already available, packed with extra power, equipment and driving dynamics as well as tax-saving benefits for fleets and drivers.
The Rafale E-Tech 4WD 300hp PHEV uses the same 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol unit as the full hybrid but with a new turbocharger, boosting engine power to 150hp compared with 130hp for the full hybrid, while torque rises to 230Nm from 205Nm.
It also gets a 136hp electric motor added to the rear axle, which, alongside the 70hp motor on the front, gives permanent four-wheel drive. The set-up also features a 34hp starter generator motor and a 22kWh battery, while the Rafale E-Tech 4×4 300hp also comes with Renault’s 4Control Advanced four-wheel steering.
The result is 300hp of combined power along with 435Nm of torque, plus acceleration from 0-62 mph in 6.4 seconds, shaving 2.5 seconds off the time for the 200hp E-Tech hybrid.
Alongside its extra performance, the Rafale E-Tech 4WD 300hp has a pure-electric driving range of up to 65 miles, attracting an 8% Benefit-in-Kind rating for company car drivers.
It also delivers a WLTP combined economy figure of up to 564.9mpg and CO2 emissions from 12g/km, together with a total range of up to 621 miles. The PHEV is able to charge at a 7.4kW wallbox, giving a full battery recharge in just under three hours.
The Rafale E-Tech plug-in hybrid is available in two levels of trim – Techno Esprit Alpine and Atelier Alpine.
Entry-level features include 20-inch black diamond-cut alloy wheels with smoked varnish, matrix LED vision headlights, Esprit Alpine interior and exterior styling, hands-free keycard and keyless access and start, 12.3-inch driver information display, 9.3-inch head-up display, 12-inch multimedia screen with built-in Google, six-speaker audio with DAB, and wireless phone charger.
The Atelier Alpine version premieres an intelligent self-adjusting suspension system coupled with a new camera for predictive control, and also dials up the appearance with matte Satin Summit Blue bodywork, a Diamond Black floating spoiler and 21-inch ‘Chicane’ alloy wheels. It also gains Renault’s Solarbay opacifying panoramic sunroof and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
The Rafale E-Tech 4WD 300hp plug-in hybrid is available to order now, priced from £45,695 for the Techno Esprit Alpine trim, and £49,695 for the Atelier Alpine. Prices for the full hybrid start at £38,195.
Renault Rafale Rafale E-Tech 4WD 300hp
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day. Natalie edits all the Fleet World websites and newsletters, and loves to hear about any latest industry news - or gossip.
