Brussels Motor Show 2023 – Renault Austral: serious challenger

Not that the Renault Kadjar was a bad choice, far from it, but it lacked the arguments to fight against a Peugeot 3008 widely hailed for the quality of its overall performance, and hardly stood out in the pack of compact SUVs which has nearly about twenty representatives on the European continent.

That is to say the pressure that rests on the axles of theAustralmarketed for a few months, and which will be one of the most prominent models of this Brussels 2023 show.

If the style, rather consensual, calls for no particular comment, we appreciate the C-shaped light signature, the double embossment of the bonnet as well as the volume games at the bottom of the doors and in the wheel arches.

4.51 m long, 7 cm longer than the 3008, the Austral demonstrates a good sense of hospitality. Rear passengers have good legroom and good headroom. In a perfect world, and for the sake of practicality, however, we would have appreciated that the rear seat backs were cut according to a 40/20/40 pattern, more practical than the 60/40 in force here.

The trunk volume is 500 liters (or 430 liters on the plug-in hybrid version, which must house its batteries somewhere). Values ​​finally quite comparable to that of the 3008, by the way: 520 liters in normal times, but 385 liters on the plug-in hybrid version.

Enough room for two large adults, with a 16 cm sliding seat that optimizes the modularity of the passenger compartment. The inclination of the backrests is adjustable.

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We will not find diesel under the hood of the Austral, which relies on hybridization to convince. The bulk of sales will thus be ensured by a 1.2 130 hp engine, in this case a supercharged 3-cylinder associated with an alternator-starter replacing the internal combustion engine in the most energy-consuming phases.

A 4-cylinder 1.3 TCe 160 hp mild hybrid represents the intermediate offer, this one being only mated to an automatic gearbox, while a block 1.2 full hybrid 200 hp with a multi-mode automatic gearbox propels the top-of-the-range versions, which are fitted with a steered rear axle (5° angle). Please note that the car is only available in two-wheel drive, at least for the moment.

The passenger compartment is adorned with uplifting materials, and the screens give the whole thing the essential techno atmosphere. We also appreciate the many storage spaces, starting with the sliding palm rest with a support allowing smartphone charging by induction.

The Austral receives all the driving aids expected in this category of vehicle, with in particular a system allowing level 2 autonomous driving, which is very appreciable in traffic jams.

The range of prices ranges from 34,000 to 45,300 €.

The Brussels Motor Show celebrates its 100th anniversary with a bang

The shows in Paris, Geneva and Frankfurt were for decades the most important shows in Europe, if not the world.

Frankfurt replaced by Munich, Geneva by Doha, now only remains among these tenors the Paris World Cup, the last version of which in 2022 was rather dull.

And the former “small” Brussels fair could well do well by offering a very ambitious 2023 edition: more than 50 brands are represented and important new products are revealed there. Caradisiac lets you discover this promising Brussels show from the inside.

Useful information

Where : Exhibition, Pl. de Belgique 1, 1020 Brussels,

When ? From Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 January 2023 (day reserved for the press on Friday 13)

What hours? Open to the public: from Saturday January 14 to Sunday January 22 – Opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Late openings until 10 p.m.: Monday January 16 and Friday January 20

Ticketing : Car salon | Askoto