The "Austral" name was derived from the Latin word "australis", and has been trademarked since 2005.[8]
The Austral has the new retro-inspired Renault logo that debuted on the Mégane E-Tech, has full-LED headlights using Renault's C-shaped signature daytime running lights, and boomerang-shaped LED taillights joins the logo on either side of the tailgate. The Austral adopts Renault's new design, called Sensual Tech.
According to Agneta Dahlgren, Renault design project director, "the result is materialized by the combination of generous shapes, curved shoulders, projecting sides and the integration of subtle technical details such as high-tech headlamps. which reinforce its identity design”.[9]
The dashboard of the Austral, called OpenR, is largely inspired by that of the Mégane E-Tech, but the layout is slightly revised.[10]
Unveiled on March 28, 2023, the sixth-generation Espace is heavily based on the Austral, sharing most of the body panels including the front end.[15]
It features an extended wheelbase and is available in five and seven-seater versions.[16] It is 140 mm (5.5 in) shorter in length and 215kg lighter than the previous generation.[17]
The Renault Espace orders started in spring 2023,[18] and is produced at the Palencia plant in Spain alongside the mechanically-related Austral and the Rafale.[19] However, it will not be available in the UK market.[20][21]
While sharing the CMF-CD underpinnings with its Austral and Espace counterparts, it features a distinctive design with unique body panels, being the brand's first production vehicle designed entirely according to the new visual language penned by Gilles Vidal.[23]
The Rafale is named after the C.460 Rafale monoplane introduced in 1934 by the Caudron-Renault aviation company, although the name was also used more recently on the Dassault Rafale fighter jet.[24][25] The car received a new plug-in hybrid powertrain with 300 hp (304 PS; 224 kW) and all-wheel drive by installing an electric motor at the rear.[25]
Awards
The Renault Austral received the Autobest 2023 trophy,[26] awarded by a jury from 31 European countries.[27]
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