Renault: Austral-ly Speaking: Renault's New SUV Thinks It's a Luxury Limo with the Agility of a Cat and the Brain of a Smartphone

PARIS - Renault has just rolled out the red carpet for its latest star in the C-segment: the new Renault Austral , now strutting into dealerships with more tech, more style, and more personality than your average mid-life crisis. Refreshed and dressed to impress, the new Austral looks like it just left a spa retreat with Rafale and New Espace - only now it's packing sharper lines, glossier accents, and headlights that could double as runway lights at Paris Fashion Week. The 3D diamond-studded bumper and origami-inspired rear lights? Très chic. If James Bond needed an SUV with a design degree and a flair for the dramatic, this would be it. Inside: Comfort Fit for Royals (or Very Demanding Toddlers) Slip inside the Austral and you'll find front seats that are more supportive than your group chat on a bad day. Upholstered with 98% recycled "Egée" fabric, Renault proves that you can care about the planet and your derrière. Rear passengers aren't left out either - they get sliding, reclining seats that adjust more than your work-from-home schedule. And thanks to new soundproofing, even your kids' endless loop of "Are we there yet?" may finally be muffled to acceptable levels. Tech So Smart, It Might Ask You for Advice Austral doesn't just recognize you - it remembers you. With a built-in facial recognition camera, it loads your settings, preferred Spotify playlist, and probably your astrological sign (just kidding... we think). It's like having your own robotic butler, minus the British accent. And yes, Google's built in too - for maps, voice control, and enough apps to distract you while waiting for your coffee order. There's even a Jean-Michel Jarre welcome tune, because why not be greeted by a French synth legend every time you start your engine? Hybrid Hustle Without the Guilt Trip Under the bonnet, Austral offers a 200 hp full hybrid that sips fuel like it's at a wine tasting - only 4.7L/100 km. It also comes with a clutchless multi-mode gearbox , which sounds complex but mostly means smoother acceleration without the "gear change tango." There's also a 160 hp mild hybrid if you prefer something a little lighter on the electrons. 4Control Advanced four-wheel steering makes U-turns feel like pirouettes, shrinking your turning radius to a nimble 10.1 metres - perfect for tight city streets, or escaping awkward ex sightings in car parks. Safety Systems with Serious Sass Austral's 32 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) cover everything from telling you to slow down, to giving you a Safety Score that lowkey judges your driving style. Safety Coach? More like your mother-in-law in digital form - but with data. There's also a "Take a Break!" system that literally tells you to pull over if you look sleepy. Combine that with facial recognition, and we're one step away from Austral suggesting a latte and a nap. Trim Levels for Every Personality From the minimalist Evolution to the sporty Esprit Alpine with snowflake wheels and Alcantara accents, there's a flavour of Austral for every kind of driver - whether you're into understated elegance or want your car to scream "I bench press SUVs." Final Verdict: The New Renault Austral is what happens when a Swiss Army knife and a fashion-forward Parisian had a very efficient baby. It's sleek, smart, and spacious - and possibly more self-aware than half your dating pool. So if you want an SUV that drives like a dream, looks like it belongs in a Bond movie, and talks to you better than your last date - the new Austral might just be your ride-or-die. Available this summer across Europe. Comes with wheels, wit, and way too much tech for people who still miss cassette decks. #Austral -ly Speaking: #Renault 's New SUV Thinks It's a Luxury Limo with the Agility of a Cat and the Brain of a Smartphone https://t.co/6dVMnOj8zi pic.twitter.com/vQsApsOswm