MANY OF OUR READERS are old enough to recall when there was some discussion about what to name Australia’s new currency when we switched to metric. One of the front contenders was the Austral (until people realised it became “a nostril” when combined with the indefinite article).
Renault seems unconcerned, because Austral is what it’s calling its new SUV.
The Austral, announced in France, will bolster efforts to win back the C-segment that forms the core of the global automotive market. The Austral is part of the ‘cars for living’ tradition and marks the next milestone in the C-segment offensive started by the Arkana and the All-New Megane E-TECH Electric, with a resolutely modern approach. The ‘Nouvelle Vague’ (French for “new wave”) aims to turn the brand into an industry benchmark for technology, clean energy, and services.
Exterior design: an athletic SUV
The Renault Austral merges together the hallmarks of SUV models with Renault’s new ‘sensual tech’ design principles: curvy, sensual silhouette and strong geometric lines.
The Austral comes in seven body colours. The Esprit Alpine version also features the exclusive Satin Shale Grey.
The top-level trim includes a bi-tone finish as a standard feature.
The Austral sits on 17-inch to 20-inch rims, most of which are diamond-cut.
Interior design: a cocoon of technology
The Austral’s high-tech cockpit is built around the large OpenR screen that combines the 12.3-inch dashboard instrument display with the 12-inch vertical multimedia screen. The new 9.3-inch Head Up Display, projected through the windscreen, adds to the total number of screens on board.
The self-regulating brightness and optimised reflective qualities have made it possible to rid the OpenR screen of its traditional sun visor. This gives a greater sense of space and creates the illusion of a floating dash.
The Austral also features the cruising console creating a subtle divide between the driver and front passenger. It also houses a streamlined hand rest that makes using the multimedia screen more comfortable. The console includes a phone slot with inductive charging capabilities and practical everyday storage.
Depending on the trim and chosen extras, the interior of the Austral incorporates real timber, leather, Alcantara, padded textiles and other form-fitted materials that are soft to the touch and paired with lacquered highlights in Deep Glossy Black and Satin Chrome. The overall package is enhanced by the addition of the customisable lighting system known as LIVING LIGHTS.
Like the many ‘cars for living’ that have left their mark in Renault’s history books, the Austral has been designed to comfortably fit the whole family. Rear passengers benefit from knee-room on par with the best in the category at 27.4cm.
Numerous practical storage compartments are located throughout the interior for everyone to use. The total capacity on the Austral amounts to roughly 35 litres of interior storage.
The modular design means that some models feature a 70/30 split-folding rear seat that can also be individually adjusted along 16cm rails.
The generous boot comes fitted with a hands-free power tailgate on the Mild Hybrid and Mild Hybrid Advanced models.
The Renault Austral Esprit Alpine: a brand-new high-end trim
For the first time ever on a Renault vehicle, the Austral also comes in an exclusive Esprit Alpine version for a sportier look. It draws inspiration from the sporting DNA of Renault Group’s flagship brand, Alpine.
This version sees the Austral with an even more assertive design underpinned by a new, specially designed, Satin Shale Gray body colour. This latest generation of matte-finish body colours is robust and easy to maintain.
The sporty feel is enhanced by the addition of a grille bar and Satin Grey sport blade; 20-inch diamond-cut black Daytona aluminium rims with ‘Alpine’ branding; Satin Black roof rails; and décor highlights in Diamond Black, Extra Glossy Black and Ice black appear across the car’s exterior. Esprit Alpine badges located on the car’s side round out the range of the trim’s unique features.
Inside, Esprit Alpine also boasts a number of distinctive elements: blue stitching and piping; unique, Alcantara upholstery with carbon-fibre ‘twill’ fabric; Nappa leather steering wheel with Alcantara inserts and stitching in blue, white and red; aluminium pedals and door sills bearing the ‘Alpine’ logo.
A selection of high-end equipment makes the trim more appealing.
New platform, new performance
The Renault Austral is the first Renault model to benefit from Alliance’s new CMF-CD next generation platform. It heralds a complete overhaul of the compact and high-end segment line-ups for the Alliance’s international brands.
The Austral chassis comes in two versions: flexible torsion beam for two-wheel steering models and a multi-link rear axle with 4CONTROL Advanced for four-wheel steering.
The four-wheel steering model has turning circle measuring 10.1 metres. Handling for the Austral on urban roads is similar to that of a city car. It is unrivalled by others in the segment.
The body on the Austral has been made more rigid, the anti-roll enhanced and the chassis made lighter yet sturdier for the best comfort/efficiency/responsiveness ratio on the market.
Fuel efficiency and emissions
The Renault Austral benefits from a range of innovative powertrains with a selection of electrified motors to cover all uses without having to change ones driving habits: the latest generation of E-TECH Hybrid motors on a 400V network for up to 200hp (149kW), and two petrol engines: a 130hp (97kW) 48V Mild Hybrid Advanced and a 140hp/160hp (104kW/120kW) 12V Mild Hybrid.
The Austral introduces a brand-new E-TECH ‘full hybrid’ self-charging engine with better performance and greater driving pleasure, while also reducing fuel use and CO2 emissions. It comes equipped with a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor paired with an electric motor, a 1.7 kWh lithium-ion 400V battery, and a smart multi-mode clutch-less dog box. It has a combined power of up to 146kW. As with the previous generation of E-TECH Hybrid engines, the car always starts in full-electric mode for a driving experience that is unique to electric cars, combining silence with responsiveness. Equipped with the latest E-TECH Hybrid engine, the Austral has optimal levels of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions (starting at 4.6L/100 km and 105 g of CO2/km, pending certification) making it one of the most cost-efficient hybrid SUVs to run.
The Mild Hybrid Advanced engine makes its Renault début with the Austral and serves as a genuine alternative to Diesel. It combines the latest 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a 48V lithium-ion battery and starter motor. The 97kW engine and manual transmission make the Austral a pleasure to drive while keeping fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions to the best level for the category: starting at 5.3L/100 km and 123g CO2/km (pending certification). The settings can be toggled to maximise energy output while keeping fuel use 20 percent lower than that of an equivalent non-hybrid combustion motor.
The Mild Hybrid engine is the first-level hybrid motor offered on the Austral and utilises a 1.3-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged direct injection petrol engine that is already available on selection of Renault vehicles. Developed in collaboration with Daimler, the engine is backed up by a starter motor and a 12V lithium-ion battery. It boasts either 104kW or 120kW with the X-TRONIC automatic transmission, or as 104kW on a manual model. The 120kW 12V Mild Hybrid engine on the Austral boasts maximum torque of 270Nm available from 1800 to 3500 rpm and mixed cycle fuel economy as low as 6.2L/100 km, with CO2 emissions starting at 136g/km (pending certification).
Electrification technology and eco-functions
In addition to the latest generation E-TECH technology new petrol motor, optimised transmission, and increased battery capacity (from 240V up to 400V), the new model has been fitted with two other innovations. The air conditioning system has been fitted with an innovative cooling mechanism so the car can run normally no matter what the weather is like. Moreover, the number of possible energy sources has also increased from 14 to 15.
Each of the three electrified motors on the Austral features regenerative braking. For the E-TECH Hybrid, the driver can select one of four different modes using a toggle located behind the steering wheel.
On the E-TECH Hybrid and Mild Hybrid Advanced versions of the All-New Austral, the brand-new digital dashboard features animations that are specific to hybrid models.
The Predictive eco driving advice helps the driver adopt a more fuel-efficient style by using either the instrument panel or the 9.3-inch Head Up Display to indicate the best time to release the accelerator pedal as the car approaches a particular road event (sharp turn, roundabout, drop in speed limit, toll area, or intersection with a ‘STOP’ or ‘GIVE WAY’ sign). On the E-TECH Hybrid engine, it is enhanced by the Predictive hybrid driving function that helps optimizing route planning while driving in electric mode.
MULTI-SENSE and 4CONTROL Advanced: a world of sensations
The MULTI-SENSE and 4CONTROL Advanced systems help customise the Austral’s on board experience for a more enjoyable and heightened driving experience.
MULTI-SENSE Advanced technology features three pre-set driving modes: Eco, Comfort and Sport. A fourth mode (Perso) gives the driver free rein over every setting. The Extended Grip Pack includes two additional modes: ‘Snow’ and ‘All roads’. Drivers can switch between modes at any time, either manually or via the voice command Google Assistant. The Austral also features a brand-new proactive function to help reduce fuel use in that it automatically suggests switching to Eco mode.
The Austral will see the arrival of Renault’s third generation four-wheel steering that has been steadily improved over the past 15 years: 4CONTROL Advanced. Unlike no other on its segment, it imbues the All-New Austral with a new level of comfort, increased agility, and unparalleled performance. With the addition of a steering actuator on the multi-arm rear axle, the steering angle of the rear wheels is now 5 degrees and guarantees a turning circle tighter than a regular city car: 10.1 metres. With the combined MULTI-SENSE and 4CONTROL Advanced systems, there are now 13 setting options as opposed to three previously.
Smart and proactive driving aids
The Renault Austral features 32 ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) that can be grouped together in three categories: driving, parking and safety.
They include: a new-generation 9.3-inch Head Up Display, projected through the windscreen; Active Driver Assist, level 2 autonomy that combines the Adaptive Cruise Control with ‘Stop & Go’, Lane Centring, GPS data and mapping so the car can adapt the route as needed; 360-degree around view 3D camera; Automated Park Assist; 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 best in passive safety
The Austral guarantees the best level in protection for passengers and other road users thanks to a range of improved passive safety equipment.
Typical safety features have been improved and a new air bag has been added between the driver and front passenger to avoid crashing heads in the event of a side-on collision.
The All-New Austral E-TECH Hybrid features a special battery compartment access and QR code to help rescue teams provide fast and effective assistance to passengers.
OpenR Link: as intuitive as a smartphone
The OpenR screen is the crowning jewel for the Austral interior and is fully equipped with enough technology to accommodate upcoming OpenR Link updates while ensuring a smooth, in-depth experience that is designed to evolve over time. The cloud-connected system receives automatic updates via Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA) technology.
The OpenR Link multimedia system integrates the best Google services and apps: Google Maps for navigation, Google Assistant for hands-free help and Google Play for apps.
Like a smartphone, the OpenR Link is intuitive to use and easy to personalise.
Harman Kardon premium sound
In addition to the Arkamys sound system, the Austral boasts a premium sound experience that was born of a partnership with sound specialist Harman Kardon, leader in automotive sound solutions for more than 60 years.
Acoustic engineers at Renault and Harman Kardon worked hand in hand to guarantee perfectly integrated hi-fidelity sound throughout the Austral for an even more immersive on-board experience.
The Renault Austral: more than a car, it’s a real service
Seen as Renault’s ‘Nouvelle Vague’ tech SUV, the Austral embodies a generation of connected, smart, adaptive and flexible vehicles.
Its artificial intelligence and ADAS that use cloud-based map data help give greater peace of mind when driving.
The Austral also helps make the life of its users even easier thanks to its new connected maintenance service.
Linked up with the My Renault platform, it provides practical solutions for remote check-ups and guidance. Private and professional owners alike benefit from a full range of services whereby some functions can be controlled and certain vehicle data can be accessed remotely.