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Spy Video: 2016 Renault Racoon Crossover SUV Filmed in Germany

Renault hasn't had that much success with the Koleos, so rather than continue on the same path and risk losing more money, they're combining ideas from two very successful models into one car, a crossover that's believed to be called the Racoon (and no, we didn't get the spelling wrong).
2016 Renault Racoon 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
The Racoon will be a C-segment crossover, bigger than the Captur, but taking everything that made it popular, like the seat covers, the drawer-like glovebox and the massive trunk.

The platform used is the new CMF modular architecture shared by the Nissan Pulsar and powered by small Euro 6 engines, mainly the 1.5 and 1.6 dCi. The Racoon will be about the same size as the Qashqai and the two have even been testing together. This latest sighting took place in Germany. The Racoon was filmed by Youtuber DrGumoLunatic, who is probably more used to filming only Mercedes and Porsche prototypes near his home in Stuttgart.

Because of the noise of the road, we can't actually hear the engine of the car, but from the shape of the exhaust system, this should be the 1.2 TCe turbo we're dealing with, a four-cylinder mill that makes 120 hp.

Rumor has it that Renault hasn't decided yet on the name of the car. Earlier reports from French media indicate that, like Fiat, Renault wants to reduce the number of nameplates it offers. The crossover would thus be integrated into the Megane range as the "Megane SUV". The name "Racoon" actually comes from a 1992 concept car designed by Patrick Le Quement.

It was a small 4x4 powered by a 3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. But all-wheel drive will be an optional extra on this crossover and even then, it won't be the type that's permanently engaged. Most customers simply don't need it and it's said that less than 5% of SUV buyers actually buy offroaders for dealing with the rough stuff.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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