Elsewhere you’ll find the Austral retains its Shadow Grey, Diamond Black, Arctic White and Flame Red metallic paint options, to go with two new body colours named Naxos Blue and Satin Pearl White, exclusively offered on the Esprit Alpine models.
As before, the interior gets a 12.3-inch driver’s display combined with a 12-inch touchscreen, with Esprit Alpine versions also boasting a head-up display. The Google-based OpenR link infotainment system comes with some new functionality for Google Maps. Other features in the cabin include a wireless smartphone charger in the centre console, four USB-C ports and two 12V sockets. Renault has also fitted what it calls “more ergonomic front seats” which have Alcantara trim on the shoulder and headrests, plus new tricolor stitching.
The Austral’s single hybrid system is carried over unchanged, with Renault deciding (as yet) not to add the Rafale’s four-wheel drive plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Austral’s hybrid set-up comprises a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine supplemented by a small 1.7kWh battery feeding an electric motor with the total combined output of the engine and electric motor standing at 197bhp. Renault says its ‘E-Tech 200’ powertrain is capable of completing up to 80 per cent of city driving on electricity alone. Combined fuel economy for the Austral stands at 60.1mpg – the same as before.
While we’ll need to wait to deliver our definitive verdict, Renault hopes the Austral might be better to drive thanks to new shock absorbers with “improved damping capabilities for roadholding”, plus additional soundproofing under the bonnet and in the door seals, and new powertrain mounts for a “quieter ride”.
Prices and UK specs will be confirmed in time, but we don’t expect a significant uplift over the current car, which starts from £34,695. Top-spec Esprit Alpine versions should sneak in under £40k, too, thus avoiding the ‘luxury car’ VED supplement.
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