Renault teases hybrid SUV, its first Geely-based mannequin

Renault has teased its first Geely-based mannequin, which shall be produced in South Korea and use hybrid powertrains.

The French automaker has revealed a shadowy picture of a rakish coupe crossover forward of its 2024 introduction.

It says it’ll launch an all-new line-up of hybrid fashions within the D-segment “based mostly on the newest Geely-Volvo applied sciences for each native and export markets beginning 2024”.

Chinese language carmaker Geely has a controlling curiosity in Volvo, its EV spinoff Polestar, LEVC (producer of London’s iconic black taxi cabs), Lotus, and Proton.

It acquired a 3rd of Renault Korea Motors earlier this 12 months and, although the latter will use underpinnings provided by the previous, the Franco-Korean division intends to speculate greater than €900 million (A$1.39bn) over the following six years.

This funding will give attention to software program, connectivity, electrification and “aggressive localization”.

“This automobile shall be designed, developed & produced in South Korea,” stated Renault Korea Motors of the brand new crossover.

“It’s going to carry the model’s ambitions via a breakthrough, fashionable and engaging model that can then be prolonged to the whole vary.”

It’s additionally promising “premium options” and “industry-leading expertise”, touting the supply of recent connectivity or gross sales companies each six months.

Renault had been anticipated to make use of the Compact Modular Structure underpinning the likes of the Volvo C40 and XC40 and far of the Lynk & Co vary, nevertheless it says the brand new coupe crossover is “based mostly on a brand new platform” – whether or not it means new, or just new for Renault, is unclear.

In referring to it as a D-segment providing, Renault seems to be suggesting it’ll be sized equally to the likes of a Skoda Kodiaq or Kia Sorento.

Renault’s present flagship is the fifth-generation Espace, launched in 2015, which is sized equally to a Sorento however which blurs the traces between conventional individuals movers like previous Espaces and extra fashionable crossovers.

It’s rumoured to be on the chopping block together with different lower-volume Renault fashions just like the Talisman and Scenic, which opens the door for a brand new flagship Renault.

Renault is committing to its Korean operation, Renault Korea Motors, and says its Busan plant in South Korea is a vital asset.

It produces not solely autos for the home market however exports autos just like the Koleos and Arkana to Australia and Europe.

The Korean home market is dominated by the Hyundai Motor Group, with Hyundai, Kia and Genesis the three best-selling manufacturers there final 12 months.

Renault Korea Motors, SsangYong and GM Korea sit significantly additional again, although all export autos to numerous world markets.

The Renault model has dedicated to going all-electric in Europe from 2030, which seemingly means its improvement funds for future ICE autos shall be focused on the cut-price Dacia model, thus necessitating a associate.

Geely could possibly be buying extra from Renault, with experiences earlier this 12 months indicating it would purchase 40 per cent of the Renault Group’s engine-making division because the French automaker plans to separate itself into separate electrical and internal-combustion automobile divisions.

One other 20 per cent will reportedly be offered to an unnamed oil firm.

This isn’t the primary collaboration between Renault and Geely, with the 2 automakers saying a three way partnership in China in 2021 that can see Geely engineer and produce Renault-branded autos.

Renault will in flip market and promote the autos. The corporate’s final Chinese language joint-venture, Dongfeng Renault, was dissolved in 2020 as a consequence of gradual gross sales.

Past shoring up its Korean market presence, Geely’s partial acquisition of Renault Korea Motors will give it a method to export automobiles to the US with out attracting tariffs due to the free commerce settlement between South Korea and the US.

At the moment, there are not any Chinese language manufacturers promoting automobiles within the US market, except you depend Chinese language-owned manufacturers like Volvo and Polestar.

Chery, Nice Wall Motor and Zotye’s plans to export automobiles there fizzled, whereas even Geely itself introduced again within the 2000s it will launch there.

It by no means did, and the one Chinese language-made automobiles offered within the US have ended up being from non-Chinese language manufacturers – the Buick Envision and Volvo S90, for instance.