Renault Symbioz: a new SUV to fill the gap between Captur and Austral

Renault has officially unveiled the new compact SUV Symbioz. It is almost identical in size to the Nissan Qashqai and only slightly shorter than the Volkswagen Tiguan.

The Symbioz is based on the extended CMF-B platform also used by Renault Clio, Captur and Arkana. It's length is 4,413 mm, width 1,797 mm, height 1,575 mm and wheelbase 2,638 mm. Claimed ground clearance is 169 mm and trunk volume 492 to 1,582 liters depending on rear seat position.

This puts the Renault Symbioz on about the same level as the Nissan Qashqai, but a good 13 centimeters shorter than the new VW Tiguan.

The Symbioz offers a choice of seven body colors, including the new Merkur Blue. DeZir Red is offered for free in the configurator, which also includes five other colors: Pearl White, Rafale Grey, Black Pearl Black, Steel Grey and Iron Blue. The design of the Symbioz is completed by large 19-inch wheels in the Esprit Alpine and Iconic versions. The 18- and 19-inch wheels are designed exclusively for this model.

The instrument panel of the Symbioz is structured similarly to its counterpart in the new Captur. The rear seat bench slides 16 centimeters lengthwise, giving rear passengers up to 221 millimeters of knee room. With the rear seat in the forward position, trunk volume increases from 492 to 624 liters, and up to 1,582 liters with the rear seats fully folded.

The Symbioz also offers 24.7 liters of storage space in the interior, seven liters of which are in the glove compartment alone.

The Solarbay panoramic glass roof, first used on the Rafale and Scenic E-Tech Electric, is also available on the Symbioz. Using AmpliSky" technology, the Solarbay glazing eliminates the need for a roller blind. The active system darkens the sunroof in segments as desired using PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) technology, in which the molecular structure reacts to electrical current.

The Symbioz has the OpenR Link multimedia system with integrated Google, which is based on Android Automotive 12. The onboard infotainment system allows wired and wireless smartphone integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The central vertical touchscreen is 10.4 inches on all versions. In addition, a 10.3-inch driver display shows trip information, including navigation instructions. In addition to Google services such as Google Maps and Google Assistant, many other applications (50 or more depending on country and version) are available from the Google Play catalog.

The Renault Symbioz is initially available only with the E-Tech 145 hybrid drive, but other regular gasoline engines are likely to follow, while a diesel engine is not expected. The combination of series and parallel hybrid system combines two electric motors - a 36 kW electric motor and an 18 kW high-voltage starter generator (HSG) - with a 69 kW/94 hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine coupled to an intelligent clutchless multi-mode transmission and a 1.2 kWh battery.

The multi-mode transmission for the E-Tech Hybrid 145 has two gears for the electric drive and four gears for the combustion engine. Shifting is automatic. In total, the system allows 14 speed and drive combinations. The Symbioz always starts in electric mode, so the driver can drive fully electric in the city up to 80 percent of the time. On the highway, the drivetrain is designed so that the combustion engine drives the wheels directly, without the electric motors running as is the case with conventional hybrid systems.

Renault is still tight-lipped about the price of the Symbioz. So, looking at other models in Renault's lineup, the prediction is 32,500 euros as a base price.

Sources: Renault, Motor1