Post by humphreythepug on Aug 15, 2024 17:27:59 GMT
In Cornwall currently, my steed is the Renault Rafale, Techno Esprit Alpine HEV 200, it's the midspec, top spec Iconic Esprit Alpine looks exactly the same inside and outside save for the addition of the Solabay sunroof (which is pretty cool), 360 camera, self parking (pointless), Harmon Kardon sound system and a few more external welcome lights.
Initially I really liked the car but spending "quality time with it", there is the odd doubt creeping in.
Firstly it's big, it swallowed all our luggage with ease, it is quite wide with the single track lanes being a challenge. Interior is very well finished, comfy, good quality, well put together, nice touches like the illuminated "A" for Alpine motif on the front seats. Economy is good, 48mpg without really trying.
However ride isn't great, very jiggely (I think that is the word), brakes don't feel right, like they aren't powerful enough, when in full re-gen they are hard to modulate when coming to a stop this is similar to Scenic E-Tech.
Steering is too light and why oh why do Renault always persist with 4 wheel steer, it just isn't needed, no one else has it, I know it is a "USP" but it's kind of the answer to a question no one asked, manoeuvring with it is ok but this is the only car in the Renault range I struggle to park properly, I've had the same issues in the past with 4 wheel steer cars. At speed the 4 wheel steer sometimes makes the car feel like it's sliding, just feels odd.
Not sure who they are aiming this car at, I don't think Renault do either, given some of the competitors offered up were like really, you sure! Well TBH It is aimed at D segment plus an Audi Q5 (which is smaller but a similar price). It seems to be a car without a home.
Apparently Renault UK were told by France, it's either the Rafale or the Espce, you have to have 1 of them.
I like it, I don't want one, I don't get it's reasoning, I am confident it will flop, we have not had 1 single enquiry on it and it was at dealers in June, given the Renault Product WhatsApp group rarely talks about it, I'd suggest no other dealer is doing ok with it, I won't ask as I have habit of being labelled a trouble maker and negative, having been asked to remove myself from the Megane E-Tech WhatsApp group in December 2022!
A 300hp 4x4 plug in will be arriving in the not too distant future.
I'll get a pic tomorrow, it's pissing with rain currently.
Initially I really liked the car but spending "quality time with it", there is the odd doubt creeping in.
Firstly it's big, it swallowed all our luggage with ease, it is quite wide with the single track lanes being a challenge. Interior is very well finished, comfy, good quality, well put together, nice touches like the illuminated "A" for Alpine motif on the front seats. Economy is good, 48mpg without really trying.
However ride isn't great, very jiggely (I think that is the word), brakes don't feel right, like they aren't powerful enough, when in full re-gen they are hard to modulate when coming to a stop this is similar to Scenic E-Tech.
Steering is too light and why oh why do Renault always persist with 4 wheel steer, it just isn't needed, no one else has it, I know it is a "USP" but it's kind of the answer to a question no one asked, manoeuvring with it is ok but this is the only car in the Renault range I struggle to park properly, I've had the same issues in the past with 4 wheel steer cars. At speed the 4 wheel steer sometimes makes the car feel like it's sliding, just feels odd.
Not sure who they are aiming this car at, I don't think Renault do either, given some of the competitors offered up were like really, you sure! Well TBH It is aimed at D segment plus an Audi Q5 (which is smaller but a similar price). It seems to be a car without a home.
Apparently Renault UK were told by France, it's either the Rafale or the Espce, you have to have 1 of them.
I like it, I don't want one, I don't get it's reasoning, I am confident it will flop, we have not had 1 single enquiry on it and it was at dealers in June, given the Renault Product WhatsApp group rarely talks about it, I'd suggest no other dealer is doing ok with it, I won't ask as I have habit of being labelled a trouble maker and negative, having been asked to remove myself from the Megane E-Tech WhatsApp group in December 2022!
A 300hp 4x4 plug in will be arriving in the not too distant future.
I'll get a pic tomorrow, it's pissing with rain currently.
