What happens when model-naming strategy managers run out of ideas? They give next-generation cars pretty bland names, which is exactly the case of the all-new Renault Austral that’s planned for unveiling in 2021.
“The what?”Austral is apparently derived from the Latin word australis, which translates to southern. It’s also the shortened form of Terra Australis, which used to be the moniker given to what we currently call Antarctica.
It’s worth noting that the continent of Terra Australis wasn’t based on any direct observation or any surveying, which makes Renault’s choice more intriguing. Be that as it may, it’s just as bland as the Kadjar it’s replacing.
Teased earlier today on the liftgate of a compact-sized crossover, the Austral “injects fresh momentum and opens the door to the Nouvelle Vague era announced by Luca de Meo” according to the French automaker. Pardon my French, but such assertions don’t mean anything in the eyes of potential customers that know better than taking marketing claptrap at face value.
Based on the video teaser at the end of this article and the Austral’s relation to the Nissan Qashqai, pixel artist Bernhard Reichel has imagined the next-generation utility vehicle with similar design cues to the electric Megane.
It’s not a bad-looking crossover per se, and the speculative rendering also keeps close to the hard points of the Qashqai and Renault’s current design language. Trademarked in 2005, the Austral will reportedly stretch 4.51 meters (14.7 feet) from nose to rear end as per the French manufacturer.
On the oily bits front, Renault isn’t expected to offer turbo diesels because they are in trouble over the 1.5 dCi already and because this kind of engine isn’t particularly good in terms of emissions. Lest we forget, even VW has steered away from compression-ignition mills following the Dieselgate scandal that has changed the automotive industry as we know it.
Given these circumstances, 1.3- and 1.5-liter gasoline mills with mild-hybrid and series-hybrid assistance will be rolled out. An electric powertrain isn’t expected because the C-segment is already covered by the Megane E-Tech Electric with a range of up to 470 kilometers (292 miles).
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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