A NEW hybrid has been put to the test – but the results were “average” and “not great value”.
The 2023 Renault Austral Esprit Alpine was taken for a spin as more petrol and diesel alternatives hit the market.
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It was driven by motor experts at The Telegraph, who concluded the french manufacturer had slightly missed the mark on their latest model.
While the hybrid was “roomy”, had a “smart interior” and boasted “good fuel economy”, the car whizz determined the Austral just wasn’t value for money.
While a £39,000 price tag left more to be expected.
Renault’s new hybrid offers 197bhp and can go from 0 tp 62mph in eight seconds, with a top speed of 108mph.
As with most brands, there are a few options in the range, the top spec Esprit Alpine, and cheaper Techno Esprit Alpine.
They are powered by a 1.2 litre petrol engine in combination with a 2kWh battery offering 57.7mpg.
But, according to the Telegraph test driver’s opinion, the Austral under-delivered.
“The ride quality is stiff beyond the point of discomfort, and the car thumps and jitters its way around town, clunking its big, skinny-tyred wheel rims into potholes,” they wrote.
Another pitfall, as claimed in the review, was bad suspension on the motorway.
“Yes, the Austral smoothes out somewhat with speed, but it never settles down entirely, and there’s quite a lot of tyre noise, too,” they added.
There was something about the hybrid family SUV that “doesn’t feel quite right”.
While the steering was “well-balanced and responds faithfully” for “such a big heavy thing”, it did not compare to it’s current industry rivals.
Overall, the review concluded the Austral was “practical, spacious,smartly finished and well-equipped”.
However, for the premium price, this was not enough to combat the issues which meant it lacked “a stand-out quality”.
This comes as the popular brand discontinued their top-selling EV in a move towards hybrid models.
The French firm is ceasing production of the Zoe next year.
The final curtain for the cars is scheduled for March 30, at Renault’s plant in Flins, 40km from France’s capital Paris.
The end of production comes as Renault decided it would continue to offer customers an affordable petrol Clio.
It had been aiming to produce the latest Clio as a hybrid, but delayed the move to help customers “in a difficult economic climate”.
Renault has been approached by The Sun Online for comment.
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