- This topic has 5 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 4 months ago by
.
- Topic
? ….
- Replies
The glass roof on this sounds interesting, as it has 4 settings that allow you to make it darker if you want that.
Styling looks superb. Interested to see how it sizes up in the flesh.
Nice looking car
Car History:
Ford Fiesta
Vauxhall Astra Mk6
Mazda 3
BMW 2 Series Coupe
Mercedes A Class
Vauxhall Astra Mk8 (Lease ended early)
Renault AustralWhether it shows irs face on the scheme is anyone’s guess given it costs a bit more than the Austal
At launch, the Rafale gets the 197bhp clutchless hybrid powertrain already used by its siblings, the Austral and Espace. It derives its power from a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors.
The 129bhp Atkinson-cycle engine drives the front wheels via a four-speed automatic gearbox in unit with the final drive. A 67bhp electric drive motor (with its own integral two-speed dog box) is sandwiched between the engine and main gearbox.
The second electric motor is an integrated starter-generator that starts the petrol engine, collects energy when the car coasts or brakes and can assist with acceleration when needed.
This powertrain, electronically governed, doesn’t need a clutch because the car always starts under electric power only, and the meshing of the two-speed dog box is managed by the electric motor. There’s a 2kWh battery under the driver’s seat that allows short-range electric driving.
No performance figures are offered, but they should broadly match those of the 197bhp Austral, given that Renault engineers estimate the similarly powered Rafale’s kerb weight to be “from 1600kg”.
Considering its sharing the same powertrain as the Austre, I would say the Rafale when you needeed a sudden burst of pace (to overtake, for example) there’s a pause before the car gains speed. That’s because the hybrid system requires a brief moment to calculate the best form of propulsion and what gear is needed, so planning ahead is sometimes required. The Sportage hybrid for example is far more immediate in such situations.
For this reason I wouldn’t consider one. Considering they have patnerships with Nissan (although to a lesser extent these days) Renault would have been better opting for Nissans E-power, rather than choosing to go alone with what seems on paper an inferior system!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.