Injecting personality into the next-generation Rafale flagship, and Austral and Scenic mid-size SUVs, tops the to-do list of new Renault design lead Alexandre Malval. 

Giving his first major UK interview, the experienced designer and Renault fanboy outlined his vision for taking the company’s design to the next level, to fend off intense Chinese competition. 

“We’re digging into the DNA of the brand,” he tells Auto Express. “What is Renault, why is it appealing and different? ‘Voiture à vivre’ [cars for life] is a fantastic slogan and the main value of a company that speaks to everyone, offers cars around the world, is so affordable and accompanies families and couples in their life.”

The original Espace and Scenic MPVs are the modern Renaults embodying this philosophy, becoming smash hits with their spaciousness, seating versatility and human-centric focus on comfort and storage. Their theme of ‘crafted space’ will underpin an upcoming mid-size concept, the first public expression of the Malval era, but when? “Pretty soon, maybe in October,” he tells us. “It’s a bit early for a production car; my first will be in a couple of years.” 

The priority is mid-size cars, with the Rafale, Austral hybrid and Scenic EV set for renewal as Renault continues its drive to sell more lucrative, larger cars. “I’m working hard on the core portfolio,” explains Malval. “Renault should be audacious. My main challenge is to give a strong personality to the cars we’re preparing on the C-segment. That's a segment I love very much, and I have a strong background with Audi and Mercedes that helps me understand the customers.”

Mid-size cars with strong proportions 

The Renault design chief, who reports into group design boss Laurens van den Acker, drives a Rafale coupe-SUV, with the 300-horsepower hybrid 4x4 powertrain. Its successor’s all-new ‘RG EV Medium 2.0’ electrified architecture will be rear- or all-wheel drive – does it have the flexibility to unlock great proportions?