New Renault Symbioz Teased As A 'Maxi-Captur' With A Hybrid Powertrain

The new compact SUV is set to be unveiled in spring 2024, effectively bridging the gap between the Captur and the Austral in Renault's lineup

Renault believes there’s ample space between the Captur and the Austral for another “compact family SUV,” which will bear the Symbioz nameplate. Set to debut in spring 2024, the new model will feature an E-Tech self-charging hybrid powertrain.

The Symbioz name was introduced with the 2017 concept car. It originates from the Greek word “symbiosis” which means “living together” and has similar sounding translations in many languages. Unlike the concept’s low-slung silhouette, and fancy suicide/gullwing door mechanism, the production model adopts a more conventional SUV stance, integrating Renault’s latest styling language.

The official teasers unveil the distinctive LED lighting units, the greenhouse shape, the curved tailgate, and the Captur-inspired surfacing all around the bodywork. Additionally, we catch a glimpse of the Solarbay panoramic glass roof, which boasts the ability to turn opaque at the touch of a button.

Inside, a familiar dashboard layout reminiscent of the Captur greets us, with Renault emphasizing that the interior will offer “generous amounts of space and loading capacity,” further emphasizing the SUV’s family-friendly appeal.

More: This Is The 2024 Renault Captur Facelift Before You’re Supposed To See It

Compact Size And Full Hybrid Setup

The French carmaker confirmed that the Symbioz measures 4,410 mm (173.7 inches) long, positioning it squarely in the core of the compact (C-SUV) segment. To provide context, the smaller Captur measures 4,329 mm (170.4 inches) long, while the larger Austral stretches to 4,510 mm (177.6 inches).

The new model will be powered by the E-Tech 145 powertrain, which is already offered as an option for the Clio, Captur, and Arkana. The self-charging hybrid setup produces a combined 143 hp (107 kW / 145 PS) from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, two electric motors, a 1.2 kWh battery, and a multi-mode clutch-less dog box. We also know it will have a weight figure of under 1,500 kg (3,307 pounds) which is very close to the 1,436 kg (3,166 pounds) figure of the Captur E-Tech 145.

All of the above suggests that the Symbioz will ride on the CMF-B architecture, rather than borrowing the CMF-CD platform from the larger Austral and Espace SUVs.

The debut of the Renault Symbioz is slated for spring 2024, but we anticipate learning more about the model through future teasers. With any luck, our spy photographers will capture camouflaged prototypes during development testing, providing us with a clearer glimpse of its styling before its official unveiling.