Renault Austral Debuts With Electrified-Only Powertrains, Advanced Tech

    June 9th 2022     Suhail Ajmal

The French automaker Renault introduced the Austral SUV about three months ago. The company previously showed it online and now the utility vehicle has hit the floor of the 2022 Sofia Motor Show. Replacing the Kadjar, the new Renault Austral comes with a new face, improved tech, and hybrid-only powertrains.

Furthermore, the automaker vows to make the interior plusher, calmer, and more convenient. However, interested customers cannot order it right now. The company will open its order books in the next few months will sales starting in the third quarter of 2022.

2023 Renault Austral Preview

Powertrains

As stated earlier, the 2023 Renault Austral is accessible with only hybrid systems; no diesels for fans this time. The entry-level Austral uses a 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid turbo engine, which the company calls “a genuine alternative to diesel.” It delivers 130 horsepower and a good amount of torque at a low rpm. Renault says this powertrain will offer a combined fuel economy of around 5.3 liters per 100 kilometres with CO2 emissions of 123 grams per kilometre. The automaker also said that the mild-hybrid powertrain is 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than a regular engine.

Those who desire more power under the hood can have a 1.3-litre four-cylinder mill created in association with Mercedes-Benz. Besides these two, there is a more advanced powerplant, accessible for E-Tech Hybrid model. It houses a 1.2-litre engine supported by electric motors, delivering either 160 hp or 200 hp, which is the highest output you can get from the Austral. The Austral predecessor, the Kadjar, was available 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre dCi ignition compression powerplants.

Salient Features

Truly, the diesel mills would have made the SUV more desirable for customers in Europe, but Renault left no stone unturned to make it high-tech. The interior is as modern as it could get thanks to a 12-inch vertical touchscreen for the infotainment and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, in addition to a 9.3-inch head-up display. Considering the model you choose, the SUV comes equipped with LED headlights, a 360-degree camera, a Level 2 self-driving system, four-wheel steering, and many more.

Availability and Price

As we stated earlier, the 2023 Renault Austral SUV will not be available in the near future. The company didn’t start its production nor accept any orders yet. Expect the order books to open in Europe later this summer. The customers should be able to get their hands on this stylish SUV in the fourth quarter of this year. The pricing will be revealed before the on-sale date.  

Source and Images: Motor1