New Renault Austral esprit Alpine: the most sporty, luxurious and exclusive "made in Spain" SUV

The new Renault Austral is now on the market, the SUV built at Renault’s factory in Palencia, with which the French brand replaces the Renault Kadjar. A model that competes in a market segment with strong competition, and which will go head-to-head with vehicles of the calibre of the new Kia Sportage, a true best-seller like the Hyundai Tucson, and established models such as the Peugeot 3008, the Volkswagen Tiguan or the Nissan Qashqai.

The Renault Austral range lets you choose between two petrol versions with MHEV mild hybridisation and power outputs of 140 hp or 160 hp, and two other versions with E-TECH hybrid technology with 160 hp or 200 hp. All carry the DGT ECO environmental label, and drive is to the front wheels. For the launch, the 140 hp petrol engine is offered with manual or automatic gearbox, the 160 hp with automatic gearbox, and the most powerful hybrid.

Renault offers the option of equipping the Austral with the 4CONTROL Advanced four-wheel steering system, a technology that currently only higher-segment SUVs offer. There are three trim levels, named Equilibre, Techno and Iconic. In the Techno and Iconic versions you can opt for the new esprit Alpine edition. The prices of the Renault Austral for the Spanish market are as follows:

• Austral equilibre 140 hp: €30,900
• Austral techno 140 hp: €32,900
• Austral techno esprit Alpine 160 hp Auto: €37,400
• Austral techno E-TECH 200 hp: €39,600
• Austral techno esprit Alpine E-TECH 200 hp: €40,600
• Austral iconic E-TECH 200 hp: €42,600
• Austral iconic esprit Alpine E-TECH 200 hp: €43,600

For the 140 hp version, the automatic gearbox can optionally be fitted, at an extra cost of €2,000.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpJqtBO6lRM&list=PL67nJYhRgzx8LDawbbbs-BoCNCe1o4i_M&index=7

The most exclusive Renault Austral, with the Alpine badge

Among the many novelties the Austral brings, one is the addition of the esprit Alpine versions to the Renault range, which can be chosen in combination with the 140 hp engine and Techno trim only if fitted with the automatic gearbox, as well as in the 200 hp hybrid with Techno and Iconic trims. The extra cost for the petrol version is €2,000, and €1,000 for the hybrid Austral.

As exclusive features of this version, the highlight is the new slate grey bodywork colour with bitone black roof, exclusive to the esprit Alpine versions, which can also be chosen in the brand’s characteristic blue. Other distinctive features are the 20-inch Daytona alloy wheels in black finish and lacquered with smoked varnish, which incorporate the Alpine logo.

Further exterior details of the Austral esprit Alpine are the horizontal line of the grille and a grey front aerodynamic blade, as well as the Renault logos with a brushed black finish. Glossy black is also used on the window frames, while the “esprit Alpine” logo appears on the sides.

For the interior, the upholstery of the Austral esprit Alpine is Alcantara with blue contrast stitching, featuring the embroidered Alpine logo on the headrests, and a tricolour flag. The blue contrast stitching is also included on the door panels and on the dashboard area in front of the front passenger, as well as on the centre console. The steering wheel has tricolour piping in blue, white and red, and the decoration is completed by aluminium pedals and door sills with the Alpine logo, which also appears on the welcome screen of the Open R multimedia system.

As equipment, all Austral esprit Alpine models include as standard a heated steering wheel, heated front seats with electric adjustment and a massage function for the driver, and the Active Driver Assist system with intelligent and proactive adaptive cruise control.

Renault Austral esprit Alpine – Image gallery

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverRenault Austral12 versions · from 33,620 €