characteristics, price and technical data sheet

Renault is deep into a complete overhaul of its approach to family cars. In recent months we have seen the Renault Scenic push into the electric car market and jump into the world of SUVs, finally leaving the purely family car segment behind, which is already almost empty.

In 2023, we will also witness the repositioning of the Renault Espace into an SUV. Once again, the minivan has changed its focus to adapt to market requirements but its family concept remains unchanged: the car seats up to seven people.

Now Symbiosis fills the gap in the middle section. He came to fight in one of the most competitive markets – the compact SUV market. To achieve this, the company is making the typical Renault bet on exceptional habitability and a new design language, in which they have already taken the first steps with the Rafale or, to a lesser extent, the Scenic.

Technical data sheet of Renault Symbiosis.

Everything he offers

The Renault Symbioz has a clear commitment to design and has a more adventurous shape than usual in recent years from Renault. Clearly, the arrival of Luca de Meo as CEO has changed something in the design department, which is now looking for a more muscular design and a new language.

In this case, this new language is the same as the one used by the Renault Captur in its redesign. The shapes are now much more horizontal at the front and follow the look of the smaller brother. In fact, the recycling is such that it extends to the interior as well. Like the Captur, it will also be produced in Valladolid.

While on the outside we have the same front end as the Captur, on the inside we have the same dashboard. The L-shaped layout is returning (though without breaking the continuity), already established in French models. The instrument panel measures 10.3 inches, with the center panel in vertical format expanding slightly until it measures 10.4 inches.

The infotainment system works well with Android Automotive, which supports the openR Link multimedia system already known from other French models. The big advantage is that it uses Google services, so we have integrated Google Maps, voice recognition systems from the same company and other applications designed exclusively for entertainment.

From what we were able to touch, the infotainment system works well, is quick and easy to use. The menus are well laid out, make a lot of sense, and it’s easy to find the function you need at any time.

Otherwise, everything we see in Symbiosis is what we already know in Captura. In fact, the company itself tells us that both models were developed from scratch at the same time to share items. It was about filling the gap that existed between the Captur, a car specifically designed for the city and more affordable, and the Austral, with its already high price tag.

This makes Symbioz more versatile and practical for families. To make travel easier, it has a panoramic sunroof that can be dimmed, as we have seen on the Renault Scenic. It comes in handy to illuminate the interior, where the rear seats can be a little cramped for tall passengers. In my case, being 1.68 meters tall, I feel comfortable because it is also easy to put my legs under the front seat.

These passengers also have two rear-seat USB-C power outlets. Its bench moves by 16 centimeters, and with it the trunk volume increases from 492 liters to 624 liters. To achieve this figure, it is necessary to use a very extensive double bottom.

There are also two other USB-C ports on the front and up to three places where you can leave your mobile phone and other items. Moreover, he adds physical controls below the screen Central to facilitate climate control, among other functions.

The buttons to disable the speed warnings are also physical, which is already mandatory in every new car sold in Europe. With the same solution as in other models of the group, as we saw in the Dacia Duster, there is a button that, when pressed twice, immediately activates its own configuration of notifications and alerts.

The latter are part of a package of driving aids and safety aids that add up to up to 29 participants, among which we find, obviously, those required by the European Union. It also adds stop-and-go functionality to adaptive cruise control, sign recognition or personalized advice to improve our driving.

As for the engine, Renault is restarting with a configuration that is widely used within the group. We are talking about the so-called Full hybrid E-Tech 145 hp. This engine is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 94bhp. and two electric motors. The main one has a power of 36 kW (48 hp). Auxiliary equipment provides power up to 18 kW (24 hp).

All this is combined with a multi-mode clutchless transmission and a 1.2 kWh battery. The transmission has four gear ratios for the internal combustion engine and two gears for the main electric motor. All this allows it to operate in 14 different combinations with more or less internal combustion engines or electric drives.

With this new Symbioz, Renault can now compete in the compact SUV segment, one of the most competitive markets with a car that allows them to take very few risks and at the same time offers a very spacious and versatile car with a large boot. trunk A very interesting solution for the city (with a very practical size and hybrid mechanics) and at the same time a truly solvent trunk that can be enjoyed on long trips.

Images | Hataka

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