New hypercar marks the Spanish brand’s 120th anniversary and has an electric powertrain.
The Spanish brand Hispano Suiza has unveiled its third hypercar – the Carmen Sagrera.
Marking the manufacturer’s 120th anniversary, it’ll come with an electric powertrain weighing 612kg that uses the brand’s second generation of batteries and will carry a 103kWh battery pack.
Improved technology means it’ll have a claimed electric range of 298 miles, with its four electric motors each producing around 271bhp. The combined 1,085bhp and 1,160Nm of torque mean it can reach 60mph from zero in 2.4 seconds.
Meet the Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera, our new all-electric hypercar designed and produced in-house. Handcrafted for the boundless driver of the future, it redefines sportiness.
This reveal initiated the new era of Hispano Suiza, merging at midnight with our 120th anniversary. pic.twitter.com/qTThE3QAAu
The Sagrera’s suspension features adjustable shock absorbers and extension settings as well as coil springs that can be altered in hardness and height.
Additionally, carbon-ceramic brakes and single-block brake callipers ensure that the car gets the best braking performance alongside enhanced cooling to enable them to operate at temperatures of up to 1,000C degrees.
It also features a pointed front grille that pays homage to the Hispano Suiza XIII sports car of the early 20th century and it has redesigned bonnet vents that flow seamlessly towards the rear ones.
Hispano Suiza
The rear has undergone some changes including a large spoiler, which improves airflow, and there is a rear diffuser that has integrated copper accents.
Francesec Arenas, Head of Design at Hispano Suiza said: “To uphold the brand’s sporty legacy, drawing inspiration from iconic designs such as the Alfonso XIII and from the original the Gentlemen Driver Concept. I dare say that with the Sagrera, we have refined the concept of sportiness, while maintaining our tradition of excellence and setting the stage for future designs, fulfilling the desires of our customers.”
(Hispano Suiza)
Inside is a new centre console and infotainment system alongside alcantara with black and leather detailing.
The Hispano Suiza Carmen Sagrera will make its UK debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in mid-July, with further details including pricing to be announced.
The CR-V is one of Honda’s most successful models. Now in its sixth-generation, has it lost its mojo? Cameron Richards finds out.
What is it?
(Honda)
CR-V has stood for Comfortable Recreational Vehicle ever since the original car went on sale almost three decades ago. Honda’s largest SUV was one of the first cars in this sector behind Toyota’s very successful and quirky RAV4.
A practical, high-riding and versatile SUV, the CR-V has been a global success for Honda, having sold more than 10 million units since its first introduction. This sixth-generation car was launched in 2023 and is up against some very competitive opposition from South Korea and its home market, Japan.
What’s new?
(Honda)
This new model is bigger, longer and wider than the previous iteration, while there is also a new interior with more equipment as standard and an exterior which adopts Honda’s new design language with its large honeycomb-styled front grille and wrap-around front headlights.
The most important feature to talk about on this latest CR-V is that you can now get it with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain – which is what our test car has.
The CR-V plug-in-hybrid completes the set of hybridised Honda SUVs in the UK and is just the beginning of future electrified models to come later down the line.
What’s under the bonnet?
(Honda)
There is one engine on offer – though it’s offered with two stages of electrification. You can either have the hybrid version or the plug-in-hybrid variant. Both models come with a 2.0-litre-four-cylinder petrol engine, which is the same that is found in its smaller sibling, the ZR-V. It produces 181bhp and can do 0-60mph in 8.8 seconds as well as giving 335Nm of torque.
Regular hybrid versions of the CR-V come as standard with all-wheel–drive whereas the plug-in-variant like our test car only sends its power to the front wheels.
The plug-in-hybrid also benefits from a 17.7kWh battery that gives it a claimed electric driving range of around 50 miles.
What’s it like to drive?
(Honda)
To drive, the CR-V lives up to its name in the fact that comfort is the main priority. Behind the wheel, the car feels large while the steering is quite heavy – though not enough to make it unpleasant. The ride is smooth and it doesn’t crash over potholes while the engine’s pickup is good and thanks to the electric motor, driving around town is a very quiet affair.
The engine doesn’t groan too much under heavy acceleration and our test car achieved 50.9 mpg during our time with it. Wind and road noise are kept to a minimum and there is a lot of glass making it easy to see out of – inspiring confidence at those tricky junctions.
But, although it may be easy to drive, due to its sheer size, manoeuvring around town is tricky and when it comes to handling, the car rolls around a lot.
Our test car came with a 360-degree view camera and side monitor which works well when parking, but the side monitor only has a camera projection from the passenger side and not the driver which is frustrating.
How does it look?
(Honda)
Though big, the last couple of generations of CR-V has had a curved yet boxy profile. This new model is more boxy and although looks are subjective, it’s not as attractive as the models that went before it.
The exhaust does protrude out of the rather fake-looking exhaust tips, but, on the other side has a blanking plate which looks cheap and nasty.
The top-of-the-range car also comes with body-coloured wheel arch trims and our car had black alloy wheels which gave it a sportier look.
What’s it like inside?
(Honda)
On the inside the dashboard is almost identical to the ZR-V which is a good place to start as the materials used are of high quality with a lot of soft-touch plastics.
The seats are comfortable and have plenty of adjustment to them while the physical controls for the heating and ventilation make them easy to use on the move. The infotainment screen, although basic, is fairly easy to operate and there is plenty of storage including a large centre armrest, door pockets and massive cup holders.
In the back is where the CR-V shines, as the rear doors open to 90 degrees making it very easy to get inside and the rear seats can recline with up to 10 different positions. The floor is completely flat with no transmission tunnel making it easier for a middle passenger to sit comfortably.
What is rare is the PHEV version comes with a bigger boot than the standard car with a capacity of 617 litres with the seats in place (596 litres for the hybrid) and that extends to 1,710 litres with them folded down. Unfortunately, the seats do not fold down completely flat.
The Honda beats its direct rival from Toyota with the RAV4’s boot space a tad smaller at 580 litres for the former and just 1,180 litres for the latter.
What’s the spec like?
(Honda)
Here in the UK, the Honda is available in two trim levels for the hybrid and one for the PHEV version.
The entry-level Elegance starts at £45,930 and comes with a panoramic glass roof, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. The Advance comes in at £49,030 and boasts a heated steering wheel, head up display, electric front seats with memory function and the 360-degree camera.
Our test car was the top-of-the-line PHEV in Advance Tech trim which starts at a rather hefty £53,995 and not only comes with the added benefit of the plug-in hybrid powetrain but also adds the Honda Parking Pilot function and 18-inch black alloy wheels.
Verdict
To conclude, the Honda CR-V is a great car for those looking for a well-equipped, practical and versatile SUV.
It drives well, and it’s very fuel-efficient for such a big car, which we were impressed with.
Its sheer size may put people off and it’s very expensive compared to its main rival, which starts over £6,000 less.
However, the CR-V lives on with a reliable and practical reputation that will attract many buyers who are loyal to the Honda family and people who need a larger car with lower running costs.
Our time with the Skoda Karoq is coming to a close. Cameron Richards gives his verdict on what it’s been like to live with.
My time with the Skoda Karoq is coming to an end and I will be very sad to see it go. But why have I become so fond of it? Was it because it was the press car I’ve lived with? No. In fact, it’s just been brilliant at everything and anything.
The Karoq will not set the heart of any motoring enthusiasts alight, nor will it turn heads. More so, people won’t notice it, but that’s what makes it so great.
This car was not designed to entertain, its purpose is to provide as much practicality as possible, while getting you to your destination in comfort and safety and the Karoq delivers that in spades.
Its nifty little design cues and features such as the parking ticket holder and famous Skoda ice scraper in the fuel cap that really show that this car has been thoroughly thought through. Its little door bin with a bag and clever elastic door strings to hold bigger water bottles in place just make the car a thoroughly enjoyable experience in terms of ease.
Boot space is cavanass and there are plenty of tethering hooks and storage nets to keep bags and shopping in place, and there is even an umbrella underneath the front passenger seat.
The back seats slide forwards and backwards to increase the already impressive luggage capacity or improve legroom for rear seat passengers. There are picnic tables with slide out cup holders and mobile phone holders – as though everything has been put there to cater for your needs. The back seats also recline and they fold down and can be removed entirely – very similarly to how the car it replaced, the Yeti, did all its tricks.
The engine is perfectly powerful enough and is very quiet at speeds making it very relaxing to travel on the motorway, plus averaging 53mpg on trips was pretty impressive for a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol with an automatic gearbox.
Reliability wise, nothing has broken nor falling off and the build quality is second to none with everything feeling solid and of high quality.
Underneath its skin, the Karoq sits on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform, meaning it’s similar to a number of cars. The Karoq has been exceptional when it comes to long-distance journeys. The suspension does a great job of soaking up all the lumps and bumps and it’s very refined and quiet at speeds. The steering is nice and light and it goes around corners without much fuss, even if it is a little vague.
My only gripe is with the optional DSG automatic gearbox which has a tendency to change down a gear when on steep declines, meaning the engine screams at you. Plus, with the touch of the throttle, the transmission kicks down a couple of gears as you lurch out of your seat.
The interior of our Karoq had the optional cream leather, and although it looked classy from afar, up close, dirt would stick to the seats very easily, with interior shampoo having to be frequently used to remove any marks that would appear. The seats were extremely comfortable and great on long trips. Storage inside the Karoq has been plentiful with a large centre console, decent sized glovebox with a pen holder, and a handy storage compartment located on the dashboard is a nice touch. There is a little drawer located next to the steering wheel and the wheel itself is lovely to hold with a nice design and it’s heated, too.
Overall, for my time in this car, I think the Karoq has been a superb (no pun intended) all rounder. Yes, it may not excite and have the pizazz but as a vehicle, the Karoq really is a truly brilliant car that I will miss greatly.
As a car enthusiast, you tend to bypass the practicality and comfort side and just focus on the driving experience. But with the Karoq, it’s made me think again about what the average person looks for in a car. For a daily commuter and family wagon, this is an almost complete package.
The Vauxhall Astra is a favourite among Brits, but what’s the electric version like? James Batchelor will be finding out over the next six months.
It’ll come as little surprise to you to learn that I drive many electric cars for my job. I have to as it feels like every week there is another one to review that aims to do something different from the one launched last week. They arrive, I drive them, I charge them, I play with the associated smartphone app, I charge them up again, and then they return to the car manufacturer. This is all fine but I have never really lived with one.
That’s going to change because, for the next six months, I will be driving a Vauxhall Astra – not, as you might assume, a petrol one, but the new fully electric version. That’s why I wanted to give the Astra Electric a go because, for me, this is the interesting thing about the car market right now.
Intricate wheels are standard on the Astra
The Vauxhall Astra has been part of the British car scene since 1980. While it’s no longer built in the northeast anymore, enough of them have been sold over the past 44 years for it to feel like part of the furniture. Like the Fiesta, Golf or even more recently Qashqai, the Astra is one of those car names that everyone knows.
But now you can buy this household name as an EV. Apart from the green stripe on the number plate that denotes its power source, it looks exactly the same as the petrol. No wacky looks, no shouting about its eco-credentials. It’s just an Astra that comes with a plug.
The interior of the Astra has lots of features to explore
With the Astra now coming with electric power, does this mean EVs are becoming mainstream? That’s what I want to find out in my half-year living with one.
The car I’ll be running is a top-drawer one in ‘Ultimate’ spec. Called that, it sets the expectations pretty high doesn’t it, but it does have the type of kit list that would have been unheard of in an Astra even a few years ago – things like semi-automated lane change assist, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, Matrix LED pixel headlights (the ones that don’t dazzle oncoming cars when you’ve got your beams on), and I think this car even has ChatGPT integrated. Oh, and the front seats have been approved by the German AGR – it’s a campaign for healthy backs.
There’s not much that shouts about the Astra’s electric powertrain
The only option chosen is the rather fetching Cobalt Blue tri-coat metallic paint at £700, which, so far at least, I think is a colour worth choosing. But then we come on to the price – £43,960. That’s rather a lot isn’t it, but I’ll give you a more definitive answer over the next few months.
What’s the range then? Vauxhall claims 258 miles and 4.2 miles per kWh (that’s the electric version of a petrol car’s MPG), and having driven an Astra Electric for a couple of days in the past I know those figures aren’t unachievable as in some other EVs. It’ll be interesting to see if over a longer period of time, Vauxhall’s claims are realistic.
The future of Fiat’s successful 500 will involve a new hybrid version.
Fiat has announced that big plans are in the works for one of its most successful models – the 500.
The city car is a firm favourite here in the UK. It’s available in electric and hybrid setups and while the former might be based on a brand-new platform, the latter sits atop a design that has been in production for over a decade.
The new hybrid version, called the Ibrida, will be released between late 2025 and early 2026 and will be produced at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy. Produced alongside the electric 500e, it’s expected that this new-generation hybrid 500 will use the platform of its battery-powered stablemate.
The current combustion-engined 500 is more of a mild hybrid. (Credit: Stellantis Media)
The new model will be developed, designed and tested in Turin with Fiat investing €100m (circa £85m) to help improve the electric version even further with a new platform and next-generation battery technology to make it more affordable to customers.
The firm has also introduced a new special edition of its city car – the 500e Mirafiori.
The 500e Mirafiori will not be sold in the UK. (Credit: Stellantis Media)
The model commemorates 50 years of the workforce at the Italian manufacturing plant after the debut of the 131 Mirafiori in 1974.
The special edition will come in cabriolet format and will have the choice of two battery options – with either 42kWh or 23.8kWh packs available.
Painted in Celestial blue, the 500e Mirafiori also boasts a 360-degree camera, a 10.25-inch touch screen with navigation, a JBL sound system and premium soft-touch seats.
Unfortunately, the Mirafiori edition will only be sold in Italy. However, the new Ibrida hybrid will be coming to the UK, with prices, specifications and more on its design and platform to be revealed nearer the car’s launch.
Hyundai has revealed prices and specifications for its updated Bayon crossover SUV.
Hyundai has revealed its updated Bayon compact SUV, which features revised exterior styling, more driving assistance systems and a greater array of exterior colours, with prices starting at £22,480.
The brand has kept things simple under the bonnet, with just a single engine offered across the trim levels. The 1.0-litre turbocharged T-GDI petrol engine produces 98bhp and 200Nm of torque, while a choice of six-speed manual and seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearboxes are on offer.
On the outside, revised Bayon has received new LED headlights and horizontal daytime running lights, a new front grille and redesigned bumper. At the rear, there is a fresh LED taillight signature and an updated rear bumper, as well as four new paint finishes that include Vibrant Blue Pearl, Meta Blue Pearl, Lucid Lime Metallic and Lumen Grey Pearl.
Buyers will have the choice of three trim levels, starting with the entry-level Advance model that is priced at £22,480 and comes specified with 16-inch alloy wheels, electric heated folding door mirrors, automatic lights, LED headlights, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 10.25-inch driver’s instrument cluster.
The updated Bayon will be available in nine different exterior colours. (Credit: Hyundai Newsroom)
In addition to the exterior revisions, Bayon receives a new suite of driver safety and assistance systems as standard across the range that include Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, as well as rear view camera and parking sensors, with additional front parking sensors on Premium and Ultimate models.
Moving up to the Premium trim level starts at £23,880 and boasts automatic climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic wipers, automatic dipping rear view mirror, privacy glass and front parking sensors.
Top-of-the-line Ultimate has prices starting from £25,280 and that secures a Bose premium sound system, wireless phone charging, keyless entry with push button start, as well as an electric tilt and slide sunroof.
Customers can also part with an additional £800 on Premium and Ultimate models to receive Smart Cruise Control, an updated Forward Collision Avoidance assistant (FCA 1.5) that detects pedestrians and cyclists, as well as Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist.
The updated Bayon is available to order from today and deliveries are expected to arrive later this year.
The vacation period is here and what better way to enjoy it than with your friends and family on a road trip.
Every year, thousands of motorists take to the roads for their summer holidays to enjoy the open road while getting to that dream destination.
When we go on a car journey, the first thing we think about is how to get to our destination as quickly as possible, which can often leave mechanical checks falling by the wayside.
The last thing you want out of a long journey is to be greeted with a flat tyre, mechanical gremlins or even worse, a breakdown.
To prevent any of these problems from occurring, we’ve compiled a list of checks to do before you encounter the long miles ahead.
Here is our guide to things to look for a trip away this summer.
Check the tyres
Make sure your tyres have plenty of tread and have no signs of damage. (Bentley)
When it comes to vehicle assessment, one of the most important things to do is to check your tyres. Look at their condition – are there any cracks, or perishing? Look for the tread depths, remembering that the legal limit in the UK is 1.6mm. You can buy a tread depth indicator to make sure you’re spot-on, too.
Furthermore, most tyres come with a date located on the sidewall itself, indicating the week and year of their manufacturing – if they are old, our advice would be to replace them. If your car has a spare tyre then ensure that this is all topped up and looking good too.
Also, check the tyre pressures, especially if you’re carrying more than one person as having low or odd PSi can cause the vehicle to behave differently and dangerously. You may also have to adjust your pressures if you’re carrying more people or luggage than usual.
Top up the levels if necessary
Top up your windscreen washer with the correct fluid
Before heading off on your journey, it’s a good idea to check your car’s oil levels. Running a car low on oil can seriously damage its engine or – even worse – could cause the internals to disintegrate. Make sure the oil level is between the minimum and maximum mark – which should be noted on the engine’s dipstick. If you need to top it up, use the correct oil for your car – you’ll be able to find this information out via the vehicle’s handbook or by asking the retailer.
Remember to top up your screenwash, because this time of year a lot of bugs can get splattered onto the windscreen. We’d also recommend looking at your brake fluid and coolant, as these are vital fluids for the safe performance of your car. If you’ve got any concerns – or don’t feel comfortable topping these fluids up yourself – then ask a trained professional for help.
Check the brakes
Check the brakes to ensure that the pads have plenty of life (Alfa Romeo)
One of the most vital safety components of your vehicle is the brakes. Check that the brake discs aren’t scored, pitted, corroded or warped as these mechanical defects can affect how they perform. Also, look at how much ‘life’ is left of your brake pads; a tip would be to try and get your finger between the gap of the brake caliper and the pad itself.
If you can feel the pad within the gap, your pads have got plenty of life left in them, if you can’t get to them – they need replacing. Of course, don’t try this after the car has been used as these components can get very hot.
Take a tool kit and jack
Most modern cars won’t come with a spare wheel or tyre, instead, they will have compact foam repair kits to save weight and space. But, if your car does come with a spare tyre, wheel or space saver, don’t forget to check that your tool kit and jack are in their place.
If you have the misfortune to receive a puncture, then having these tools will save you great pain and stress from having to trundle around trying to find the nearest tyre shop – especially if you’re in an unknown area. If you’re unsure, then there are plenty of guides on how to change a wheel online.
Have breakdown cover in place
(Nissan)
If you’re heading particularly further afield then it’s worthwhile having some breakdown cover in place. This can be a real saving grace if your car is stricken down while you’re out and about and even more so when you’ve got a number of people in the car.
If you’re travelling abroad, then ensure that this cover applies to the other countries you’ll be travelling to.
Put a first aid kit in
A first aid kit may sound a little over the top but it can come in handy for your entire journey/holiday. If you’re carrying a lot of passengers or small children it’s good to carry some essential plasters, bandages, scissors and alcohol wipes as small injuries can still occur wherever you are and you will be appreciative of having it with you if you’ve got small children who can hurt themselves quite easily.
New research finds that by 2026, 25 per cent of all driving tests conducted will be in cars with two pedals.
One in four driving tests will be in automatic cars by 2026 – a trend that is only set to increase once the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars comes into effect, a new study has predicted.
The prediction comes from AA Driving School which has used new data from the Driving Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA). The agency found that in 2022/23, 17 per cent of all passes were conducted in cars with two pedals, compared with 13.4 per cent the previous year (2021/22), while in 2013/14, just five per cent of people passed their tests in autos.
The rise in numbers are to do with the number of instructors using automatics for their vehicles to teach their students, said the driving school. In January of this year, 21 per cent of AA franchisees were using automatics compared with 79 per cent using manuals.
The figures are set to increase even further as the 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars gets nearer, as electric cars use automatic gearboxes.
Camilla Benitz, Managing Director, AA Driving School said: “As EVs and hybrids become more popular due to lower day-to-day running costs and as the impending ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars gets closer, more people are choosing to learn in an automatic.”
She added: “We see this trend continuing and the need for manual tuition declining, though manual licences will remain important for some drivers as they will want the option to drive a larger variety of vehicles.”
The data collected also showed that older learners are more likely to have lessons in an automatic than younger learners. Of the school’s current automatic pupils, 43 per cent are over 30 (10 per cent of overall pupils) compared to just 17 per cent who are 17-20 years old (four per cent of overall pupils).
The first electric Alfa Romeo will start at £33,895 and can travel up to 250 miles on a single charge.
Alfa Romeo has revealed prices and specifications for its first electric model – the Junior Elettrica, to give it its full title.
There will be three trim levels and two power outputs available at launch. The standard powertrain consists of a 158bhp electric motor and will offer a driving range of up to 250 miles on a single charge. The higher powered model, dubbed the Elettrica 240 Veloce, comes with a 243bhp motor that delivers a claimed 215 miles between charging sessions.
The entry level model, simply known as the Junior Ellectrica, will start at £33,895, making it nearly £2,000 cheaper than one of its key competitors – the Peugeot e-2008 – which starts at £35,700.
There are two power outputs. (Credit: Stellantis Media)
The standard Alfa Romeo Junior comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps and taillights, adaptive cruise control, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, ambient lighting and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.
Move up to the Junior Speciale, which starts at £35,695, and customers will receive satellite navigation, a 180-degree rear view camera, an electric tailgate, keyless entry and rear privacy glass, as well as a driver’s seat with massage functionality.
The top-of-the-line Veloce is only available with the more powerful 243bhp powertrain and prices start at £42,295.
The Veloce model will only be offered with the more powerful 243bhp setup. (Credit: Stellantis Media)
This range-topping variant sports a Torsen limited slip differential that can distribute torque between the wheels, as well as sportier 25mm lowered suspension, red sport brake calipers, 20-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, a black roof, a sports styling kit, sports seats and an equally racy steering wheel.
Order books open later this month for the new Junior Ellectrica, with prices and specification yet to be revealed for the Ibrida hybrid variant, which is expected to feature a 134bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and a 28bhp electric motor.
However, Alfa Romeo is yet to confirm whether this hybrid version is to be sold in the UK market.
Renault has high hopes that its coupe-styled hybrid SUV will steal sales away from the BMW X4. Cameron Richards went to Spain to find out.
What is it?
The Rafale will be hybrid-only in the UK
The Rafale is the car that will complete the Renault SUV line-up here in the UK, sitting above the Scenic E-Tech, Arkana and Austral as the flagship SUV in the range and going up against competition from BMW, Audi and Hyundai.
Renault is focusing a lot on its future electrification plans and badges its hybrid and electric vehicles with the E-Tech name. However, the Rafale will be sold on our shores only as a hybrid.
What’s new?
The rear of the Rafale is striking in design
The Rafale name is a new addition to the Renault family and is the French word for ‘wind’, relating to the company’s part in aviation with the Caudron-Renault Rafale that flew at 277mph in 1934.
While that plane may be relatively old today, the Rafale’s design is brand-new with a bold-looking interior matching a new exterior design language which ties it in with some of this French firm’s other cars while still establishing itself as a model in its own right.
What’s under the bonnet?
Alpine badges feature on higher spec models
From launch, there will be one powertrain on offer, and that is a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 128bhp and 205Nm of torque. From there, it’s hooked up to a pair of electric motors and, in total, the Rafale kicks out 197bhp.It has a top speed of 111mph and can do 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds, while a claimed 60.1mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 105g/km mean that the Rafale is remarkably clean-running for a car of this size.
All Rafale models come with multi-link rear suspension and a four-wheel-drive system as standard, while later down the line a 304bhp performance version to fit into the range.
What’s it like to drive?
In Seville testing the new Renault Rafale E-Tech — driving impressions will be revealed soon. pic.twitter.com/FtHHqxuBM8
The Rafale rivals SUVs such as the BMW X4, however behind the wheel the big Renault doesn’t quite match up to its German competitor.
The engine and transmission seem to have a hesitant and jerky transition from switching from combustion to electric mode which makes the car feel a little unsettled at speeds. Rear visibility is poor due to the small rear window and thick C-pillars and there is no rear windscreen wiper – which is frustrating when the screen is dirty.
However, our test car came with four-wheel steering called 4Control makes it easier to manoeuvre and gives it a tighter turning circle than you might think.
Overall performance is acceptable enough, and it’s reasonably refined at speeds with not too much road and tyre noise, but wind noise on the motorway is more noticeable than expected.
The Rafale also has an acceptable ride, though the suspension doesn’t seem to settle down over minor imperfections when travelling at slower speeds. However, even though the steering felt vague and a bit ponderous, it does go around corners with minimal fuss and very little body roll.
How does it look?
The new Rafale feels composed at speed
Coupe-like SUVs have become more popular ever since the BMW X6 kickstarted the trend back in the late 2000s.The Renault certainly has a unique look to it with its sloping roof design and distinctive Nouvel’R front end. The boomerang-style LED daytime running lights and front headlights that merge into the front radiator grille show similarities to Renault’s smaller SUV, the Austral.
However, the side profile looks a little anonymous, with a resemblance to the Nissan Qashqai, which is no surprise since the Renault Group owns Nissan.
What’s it like inside?
The interior of the Rafale gets Renault’s latest tech
The Rafale adopts Renault’s latest interior layout, similar to the one you’ll find on the latest Scenic. You get a larger rectangular steering wheel with a paddle shift for the regenerative braking and you have a 12-inch portrait infotainment screen that is angled towards the driver for a sportier alongside a 12.3-inch dashboard display.The cabin materials throughout the top half of the dashboard and door cards are soft and have a premium feel, however, lower down the glove box and lower centre console suffer from harder materials. There are also physical buttons for climate control and they are intuitive to use.
There is plenty of room in the back with a lot of leg and headroom, regardless of the sloping roofline and our test car’s Solarbay panoramic roof. A small transmission tunnel means that the middle seat passenger doesn’t struggle too much to sit comfortably either.
Boot space stands at 647 litres with the seats in place, which is over 120 litres more than a BMW X4. Fold the seats down and the Rafale’s boot space expands to 1,600 litres making it slightly smaller altogether than a Hyundai Santa Fe. However, the rear seats do not fold down flat making it harder to push heavier items to the back of the vehicle.
What’s the spec like?
The main screen is packed with features
Here in the UK, we are getting three different trim levels for this hybrid coupe SUV.The entry-level Techno starts at £38,195 and gets front and rear parking sensors, multi-link suspension and a 12-inch multimedia touchscreen. The mid-spec Techno Esprit Alpine comes in at £42,195 and boasts a heated steering wheel and front seats, rearview camera, ambient lighting a powered tailgate and 4Control four-wheel-steering.
Our test car was the top-of-the-line Iconic Esprit Alpine, priced at £44,695 and featuring 12 speakers, a 360-degree 3D camera, Matrix LED headlights and front Renault logo puddle lamps.
There will be a 304bhp plug-in-hybrid variant, called the Rafale Atelier launched later this year with pricing and specifications yet to be announced.
Verdict
Renault’s flagship SUV offers high levels of standard equipment with reasonable pricing and running costs.
Even though the driving experience isn’t the best in its class, it still performs well when it comes to comfort and ease of ownership.
Practicality is one of its stronger points, with boot space larger than some of its key rivals, while the interior is a nice place to be with space inside good enough to accommodate four average-sized adults comfortably.
As an overall package, the Rafale should be a hit with British buyers, we just think if the power delivery was smoother and it had a better drive, it would make the French SUV even more tempting.
