Renault Australia is gearing up for a significant refresh of its lineup, as it plans for six new models and updates to roll out over the next 18 months.
Kickstarting this rollout – but not included in the six – is the Renault Duster, a rebadged Dacia now in local showrooms.
Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey has been tight-lipped on what new models will follow the Duster here, but he didn’t rule out the possibility of more cars from Renault subsidiaries.
“When I say we’ve got six new models, or facelifted models, coming in the next 18 months, we’re really excited about what’s coming through. In terms of other Dacia products, today we’re looking at everything within the Renault portfolio,” he said at the local launch for the Duster.
“Renault has a vast portfolio of Dacia products, Renault products, Alpine products, and we’re lucky to be able to pick and choose from that cupboard, so to speak. So you never say never, but today, Duster was the first.”
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Above: Renault Duster
Despite that, we already have an idea of models coming in the more immediate future. The updated Captur small SUV is due to arrive in Australia later in 2025.
It’s sold as a Mitsubishi in Europe – the ASX – and the Japanese brand is launching the same rebadged model here later this year.
It’s also been confirmed that the hotted-up electric Renault 5 Turbo 3E is coming to Australia in limited numbers once it enters production in 2027. There’s been no word on the standard Renault 5, however.
Nothing else has been confirmed, but we can look to the United Kingdom for right-hand drive candidates. Models that are most likely seem to be Renault’s Scenic and Symbioz crossover SUVs, which are electric and full- or mild-hybrid respectively.
The Koleos is nearing the end of its lifecycle, and Renault has introduced the new Grand Koleos E-Tech Hybrid in South Korea which is based on a Chinese Geely.
Other possibilities include an Arkana with hybrid technology, and the Dacia Bigster – the latter of which would almost certainly be rebadged as a Renault.
Above (L-R): Renault 5 Turbo 3E, Renault Scenic, Renault Symbioz, and Dacia Bigster
There’s also the Renault Boreal, a heavily reskinned version of the Bigster, which will be sold in Latin America and the Middle East. The Megane E-Tech may also be due for an update in Australia.
“When we look at those six new models to come, there’s a bit of water under the bridge, there’s currency, there’s regulatory changes, there’s tariff changes rolling around the place,” Mr Sealey said.
“It’s a very dynamic environment. So for me to sit here and say ‘I’ll definitely have that car tomorrow’, I wouldn’t be prepared to do that.
“But what I can say, I do know I’ve got six of them coming. They may vary between now and then, but in terms of electrification, going back to that, you would have to say there is still going to be a baseline for electrification in Australia.”
Above (L-R): Renault Boreal, Renault Rafale, Renault 4, and Renault Grand Koleos
Renault has a large range of electrified options, ranging from mild-hybrids through to hybrids, plug-in hybrids and then fully electric vehicles.
It offers hybrid versions of its Clio, Captur, Symbioz, Arkana, Austral, Espace and Rafale in Europe, plus a plug-in hybrid Rafale.
Its electric lineup consists of the Renault 4 and 5 and Scenic, plus the Kangoo and Megane E-Tech already sold here.
All bar the hybrid Arkana and Espace are offered in the right-hand drive UK market.
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