Next Renault Austral 2030: new 1.5-liter engine and Horse Powertrain hybrid system

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The next Renault Austral may swap its current three-cylinder 1.2-liter hybrid for a four-cylinder 1.5-liter unit. The system in question is Horse Powertrain's Future Hybrid System, which combines the combustion engine, electric motor, transmission and power electronics in one module — Renault was already testing an updated hybrid powertrain for the Austral. Fitting the unit specifically to the Austral, and a 2030 launch, remain preliminary: Renault hasn't announced such specifications for the model yet.

The current Austral Full Hybrid E-Tech produces 200 hp. Its 1.2-liter turbo engine works alongside two electric motors and a multi-mode gearbox. Claimed consumption is 4.8 l/100 km, with a range of up to 1,100 km. In Spain, the crossover starts at €33,300.

Horse Powertrain's new system is built around a four-cylinder 1.5-liter engine. It's designed to replace the front electric drive unit and allows a single architecture to become a conventional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, or an electric vehicle with a range extender. The compact version measures 650 mm wide, while the more powerful dual-motor variant measures 740 mm. Exact output and consumption figures for a future Austral variant haven't been disclosed.

This hardware aligns with Renault's new RGEV Medium 2.0 platform. The architecture is designed for B+ to D-segment models, uses an 800-volt electrical system, and allows for up to 750 km of range in all-electric form or up to 1,400 km with a range extender. These figures relate to the platform's capabilities, not to confirmed specifications for the next Austral.

It's worth waiting for a new Austral until Renault publishes the output, hybrid type, and final layout of the 1.5-liter engine.