Renault Austral Spotted In India

Renault’s lineup seems pretty slim at the moment and the French manufacturers want to change that. The Kwid, Triber and the Kiger are the options they present and there is a lack of a premium SUV in this lineup. Previously the Renault Arkana was spotted on Indian roads. The Arkana would compete against the upcoming Citroen Basalt. The Austral was spotted out in the open recently in Chennai without any camouflage. The Indian model looks very similar to the road-going versions in European market. So here is what you can expect from the Renault Austral.

Rushlane’s sources managed to capture some of the pictures of the Renault Austral on the roads of Chennai.

Further Details About The Austral

The Austral has been sold in European markets for almost 2 years now. It was the replacement for the high-selling Kadjar. The major talk point about the Austral is that it is only offered as a hybrid. A 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine works alongside a 1.7Kwh battery and a motor to produce 197 horsepower. You can drive the Austral on electric power only up to 110 kmph. Additionally, it isn’t a plug-in hybrid and the battery recharges upon deceleration and braking. The result of the hybrid powertrain is that it can provide more than 60 miles to the gallon, which equates to a healthy 25.5 kmpl. These are impressive numbers for a midsize SUV and can attract plenty of Indian customers. As far as looks are concerned, it looks chic. The sharp design language and a high stance make it quite a looker.

You get all the bells and whistles you would expect from such a car. A heads-up display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch infotainment screen all come as standard. The interiors are roomy and practical and the panoramic sunroof gives the plush interiors an airy feel. The party trick of the Austral is its 4-wheel steering. This means that manoeuvrability in urban areas is quite easy.

However, the ride quality of the Austral is deemed to be poor. Moreover, the 4-wheel steering and regenerative braking can take time to get accustomed to. The input lag within the rear axle, due to the 4-wheel steering, will make the drivers feel like they are losing the rear of the car.

How Will It Compete In The Indian Market?

The Austral will compete against the likes of Mahindra XUV700, Tata Harrier and MG Hector. There aren’t many details regarding the price range but it is expected to touch the 20 lakh rupees mark quite easily. The UK variant starts at almost the 34,000-pound mark, approximately 36 lakh rupees. The Nissan-Renault venture has been a fair success and they intend to get a stronger grip in this market. Renault hasn’t disclosed the launch date yet but you might be able to see it on Indian roads in the later parts of 2025.

The hybrid system might make it more expensive than the conventional counterparts from Mahindra and Tata. Fortunately, the fuel economy figures could attract many potential customers. It is unlikely that the Austral will receive enormous sales figures but it could sell reasonably if Renault decides to fix the ride issues and price it more attractively.

source –Rushlane