Kadjar replacement's cabin to take huge leap forward when it comes to its design and tech
Renault has given us our first glimpse of its all-new 2022 Renault Austral’s cabin ahead of its launch later this year.
Releasing a design drawing of the Renault Kadjar’s, the next-gen mid-sized Renault SUV’s interior will be dominated by an L-shaped infotainment and digital instrument cluster that, in total, stretches total screen width to 24.3-inches.
Copying a similar arrangement to the soon-to-be-introduced all-electric Megane E-Tech, Renault claims that the new infotainment is easy to reach, simple to use, intuitive and always connected.
Like the reborn battery-electric Megane, the infotainment runs Google Automotive that combines Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and combines useful apps like Google Maps.
Quick and responsive to touch, Renault says 90 per cent of all features are two clicks away.
Differing from the Kadjar, designers claim they have perfected a ‘cocoon effect’ for the new Austral, with a raised transmission tunnel and door panels that rise higher than the last Renault SUV to provide a greater sense of safety.
Featuring a wide and sliding armrest, there’s also plenty of storage totalling up to 30 litres, the centre console is said to include two large bins and a ‘nest’ to cradle your smart phone.
The clever packaging continues elsewhere with the rear, with sliding and folding bench now operated via a button in the boot. There’s even more space for feet, with no rear transmission tunnel and a flat floor behind the driver and passenger.
Catering to families, the driver and passenger seat are both tapered at the top to make it easier for those up front to chat (or berate) those little terrors perched in the second row.
Set to be unveiled in the first half of this year, the Austral is claimed to conjure the “vibrancy and heat of the southern hemisphere” and actually borrows its name from the word ‘australis’, the Latin word for Australia.
Externally, we already know the Austral will draw styling cues, again, from the latest Renault Megane E-Tech Electric, the Austral will miss out on pure-electric powertrains and will instead share much with the latest 2022 Nissan QASHQAI.
Confirmed to measure 4.51m long, the new Austral is 60mm longer than the Kadjar with the move to QASHQAI underpinnings, which is set to bring big benefits for both packaging and tech over the mid-size SUV it replaces.
The powertrain line-up at launch is likely to kick off with a new 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo that will produce around 110kW. This engine is likely to be paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Even more sophisticated electrified engines will also be available, with both an E-Tech Hybrid and E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid set to be offered, the latter bringing a pure-electric range of 50-60km.
Stay tuned as Renault will tease yet more of the Austral ahead of its unveil.
Keyword: Renault previews Austral cabin