Renault Symbioz

After designating a concept car unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Symbioz name reappeared in May 2024 on a new SUV. In the guise of a stretched Renault Captur, this model is intended to be a combustion alternative to the 100% electric Scénic. Offered with a single engine, the Symbioz promises space and developed technology. An SUV "to be lived" to discover.

The look and dimensions of the Renault Symbioz

Renault did not start from a blank sheet of paper to design the Symbioz. The crossover, presented in May 2024, takes on the face of the restyled Captur presented a month earlier. Tapered headlights, half-diamond daytime running lights, curved vertical grille, prominent bumper and horizontal bonnet create a charismatic front end. The rear has a more personal look with triangular lights, sharp body folds and a beveled quarter window. The sides, marked by muscular wings, stretched the Captur's technical base by 17 cm, to reach a height of 4.41 m. This growth spurt only concerns the rear overhang, the wheelbase retains the initial 2.64 m.

The filiation with the Captur is also visible in the interior with the adoption of identical furniture. The dashboard features the digital instrument cluster (10.25 inches) as well as the vertical touchscreen (10.4 inches) with the OpenR Link multimedia system integrating Google features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems are part of the package, while a line of physical controls (air conditioning, defrosting, etc.) remains at hand. The steering wheel incorporates the "my safety switch" feature, which offers the driver the possibility of setting his preferences to six driving aids at the same time. The comfortable length allows the Symbioz to adopt the sliding bench seat (16 cm) of the Captur and offers a boot volume of 492 dm3, compared to 422 dm3 on its little brother.

The hybrid powertrain of the Renault Symbioz

A combustion alternative to the 100% electric Scénic, the Symbioz offers a single 145 hp hybrid engine, while waiting for other engines to arrive later. Shared with the Clio, Captur and Arkana, this engine combines a 1.6 petrol four-cylinder engine (92 hp) with two electric motors (49 and 20 hp) and a small 1.2 kWh battery. This technology allows electric driving in urban areas 80% of the time.