Tech fest: 5 things you need to know about Renault Austral E-Tech full hybrid

With an athletic, modern design, Renault Austral E-Tech full hybrid is undoubtedly a thing of beauty, yet it’s practical, too. It has an impressive 555-litres of boot space, and a massive range of up to 683 miles* on one tank of fuel. And the best bit? There’s no need to plug it in.

Want to know more? Of course, you do. Here’s a deep dive into some of Renault Austral E-Tech full hybrid’s highlights…

Where better to start, than with the E-Tech full hybrid engine? It provides Austral with 200hp, but also allows for up to 60.1mpg**, as well as CO₂ emissions as low as 105g/km.

How does it do that? Well, it uses Renault’s Formula 1-derived clutchless technology, along with two electric motors combined with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. This allows you to drive silently with 100% electric power up to 70mph. The battery is charged when you decelerate and brake, plus the car always starts off in full electric mode.

What’s more, you can expect reduced maintenance costs as well, as the energy recovery systems reduce brake wear.

The E-Tech full hybrid engine also allows for that remarkable range on a single tank of fuel. So, you best start thinking of road trip destinations.

Renault’s 12-inch openR central infotainment touchscreen, combined with a 12.3-inch driver display screen, brings all the car’s tech to your fingertips. There’s even a clever sliding hand rest to help you operate the central screen with comfort.

The Austral's openR link multimedia system comes with Google built-in***. You get all the benefits of Google Maps, such as navigations with live traffic updates, reminders, and proactive alerts directly on your car display, while Google Assistant makes it easy to use your voice to control car functions like the climate control, driving mode or heated seats. You can also use it to find locations, reply to messages and make calls. And with Google Play, you can download more than 50 apps, including Amazon Music, Spotify, and more.

Renault’s clever 4Control advanced steering system gives Austral E-Tech full hybrid a 10.1m turning circle, which is comparable to that of a city car. Standard on the iconic esprit Alpine trim level, it allows the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels at speeds of up to 30mph, helping to increase manoeuvrability. Plus, at speeds above 30mph, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels, to offer improved stability.

There are up to 30 innovative Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS)**** that come with Renault Austral E-Tech full hybrid, each designed to make your life easier and help keep you safe on the road.

The iconic esprit Alpine version features a 360° view 3D camera and sensors that can help you park, plus Matrix Vision LED headlights will light up the road ahead by adjusting the beam, depending on the traffic and weather conditions. There’s also a 9.3-inch head-up display that projects essential information onto the windscreen, so you never need to take your eyes off the road.

And there’s more. Think lane keeping assist, a blind spot warning, emergency brake assist and driver fatigue detection alerts. These are just some of the features that have contributed to Austral E-Tech full hybrid being awarded a five-star Euro NCAP score for safety.

Like your music? Then you’ll love the Harman Kardon audio system included with the iconic esprit Alpine version. No fewer than 12 speakers are placed around the cabin, and they combine with a powerful 485-watt amplifier to create a rich, immersive sound experience that comes as standard with the iconic esprit Alpine trim level. Your favourite album will never have sounded so good.

For more information, visit renault.co.uk

* Internal Renault source. Based on a full tank on Austral iconic esprit Alpine vs WLTP fuel consumption. Real world driving results may vary.

** WLTP test data. Real world driving results may vary.

*** Google, Google Play and Google Maps are trademarks of Google LLC.

**** It is your responsibility to stay alert, drive safely and be in control of the vehicle at all times. Driver assistance features have speed and other limitations and should not be solely relied on.