New Renault product aims to change fleet perceptions

Renault is urging fleets and their drivers to re-engage with the brand as its model line-up shows a step-up in technology and quality, giving its product a more premium feel.

The new approach is clearly demonstrated in the Renault Megane E-Tech and the all-new Austral, which were both available to drive last month at Company Car in Action (CCIA). 

Peter Horton, Renault’s head of fleet and used vehicles at Renault, says: "If you think you know Renault, think again.”

The introduction of the E-Tech range to its line-up over the past 18 months, providing a hybrid option to all models, has proved really popular with its true fleet customers.

But he says that the biggest change for the brand has been its ‘Renaulution’ programme, which aims to shift the manufacturer's focus from volume to profitability.

As well as announcing its electrification plans, the programme also concentrated on re-conquesting the C segment. "The C segment is the largest segment in fleet in the UK, so it's something that we need to be strong in,” explains Horton.

"The flagship product for us in that segment is the Megane E-Tech 100% electric, which is proving popular in salary sacrifice and with user-chooser fleets, because it's electric.”

The Megane marks a significant departure from Renault’s existing mainstream model line-up. Packed with the technology, the fully electric car also has a premium feel, with a definite step-up in quality from the manufacturer.

Horton says that there was a definite "sense of surprise" in terms of the level of specification, the technology available and their design, when fleets were able to drive the new product at this year’s CCIA.

“Internally, the cockpit and the cabin have been lifted to a new level in the new models,” he says.

Horton is keen to get fleets test driving the new line-up, with demo models available. “If you have an existing perception of Renault, I think that will change it,” he explains. “They’ve really transformed the interiors of those cars.”

New Renault product coming through

Renault is part-way through a fairly significant transformation to re-invent itself as an upmarket brand with an electrified line-up.

The Megane E-Tech marked the first step on this journey and it fit the bill perfectly. The Austral is the next and it will replace the Kadjar as the brand’s core SUV.

Unlike the Megane, the Austral does not come with a pure electric powertrain. Instead, the all-new car is debuting a new hybrid system, which has CO2 emissions of 105g/km and can achieve up to 60.1mpg.

The new system uses a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, two electric motors and a small, 2kWh battery and does not require a plug.

Renault says 80% of driving on urban roads is possible in full-electric mode, which translates into a 40% reduction in fuel consumption than a conventional combustion motor.

"It's an electric vehicle effectively with over 600 miles worth of range,” says Horton. “It really does feel like you're driving an EV most of the time, especially around the city."

Inside, it’s a similar story to the Megane, with a premium feel. There is a wraparound dash incorporating a 12-inch portrait touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster powered by Renault’s Google-based OpenR operating system

"In terms of standard specification, it's really strong and that's been echoed by Cap as well,” says Horton.

"We made a conscious decision about two years ago to say, we want a simple-to-understand model line-up, with not too many option packages. What we decided to do was just put everything on the car, so there are no option packs."

All-electric Renault Scenic E-Tech

Renault will add to its all-electric line-up with a second C-segment BEV in September. The Scenic E-Tech will be unveiled at the IAA Mobility Show. 

The car, which will be a rival to models such as the Volkswagen ID4, was unveiled in concept form as the Scenic Vision at last year’s ChangeNow Summit in Paris.

Scenic E-Tech will be a five-seater and will use the all-electric CMF-EV platform which made its debut in the Megane E-Tech.

Renault Arkana updated

The Renault Arkana, meanwhile has been updated with sharper looks and new trim grades.

The styling changes include the integration of Renault's new logo in the grille and new black trims to replace the chrome pieces on the outgoing model.

The Arkana will continue to use a 1.6-litre E-Tech Hybrid powertrain. It interlinks two electric motors with a four-cylinder 1.6 litre petrol engine, a smart multi-mode clutch-less dog box and a 1.2 kWh battery.

Read our review of the current Renault Arkana here. 

Renault Rafale SUV

Renault has also bolstered its line-up with the Rafale, a hybrid-powered coupe SUV that will expand the brand's presence in the D segment.

The new model will compete with the likes of the Audi Q5 Sportback, when it goes on sale next year, as well as the surge of upmarket entrants from other French brands, including the Citroen C5 X and Peugeot 408.

Two hybrid powertrains will be available. The first is a 200PS hybrid unit, carried over from the Austral. There will also be a 300PS plug-in hybrid version with all-wheel-drive.

Prices are expected to start at around £40,000, further reinforcing Renault's intention to move into premium segments.

The Rafale differs from Renault's current design language, with a more angular and aggressive look. It's interior features the twin-screen OpenR digital cockpit, that debuted on the Megane E-Tech.

Lead times for new vehicles

Many manufacturers have suffered from long lead times for new vehicles, because of a global shortage of semiconductors.

But Horton is upbeat about Renault’s supply chains. “At the moment, with Megane and Austral, both of those vehicles are probably available almost immediately,” he says.

"We’ve started to see vehicles available with much shorter lead times, which is really good.”

With fleet accounting for 55% of Renault’s new car registrations in the UK, Horton says the manufacturer is getting back to where it was in terms of fleet volumes.

 

Trafic remains Renault’s top performer

The Renault Trafic was the fourth best-selling light commercial vehicle (LCV) in June, coming behind Ford Transit Custom and Transit, first and second respectively, with the Vauxhall Vivaro third.

Year-to-date, almost 9,000 Trafics have been registered, making it the UK’s third best-selling van over the past year.

“We’re also the fastest growing manufacturer in terms of market share versus last year,” says Horton. “I think that is testament to the really robust supply coming through on our vans now.

“The Trafic has been and will probably always a remain our biggest seller, but Kangoo has come back, and the order books are absolutely full for the ICE version and for the E-Tech version.”

Lead times for vans are also improving, with some vehicles available immediately, but most new orders taking between four-six months, on average.

Electric van plans

Renault manufacturers three electric vans – the Zoe E-Tech, all-new Kangoo E-Tech and the Master E-Tech.

It also launched Mobilize Power Solutions to facilitate charging infrastructure projects for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle fleets in 2021. 

Horton explains: “We can actually go and speak to customers about the van and the infrastructure, so it takes away that blocker for them, and we can even roll that into the capital costs of the vehicle.”

Renault will also unveil a fully electric Trafic later this year. “More details of that will come out a little bit nearer the time and there is an update for Master due as well,” says Horton.

“The real revolution in terms of new product coming through is on cars, but we've also got a pretty strong van line-up.”