Latest news with #Symbioz
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Not just Renault and Tesla, 6 car brands ditched leather interiors; here's what they are using instead
A leading French car manufacturing brand, Renault, has pledged to completely eliminate animal leather interiors from all its vehicles by the end of this year. The move is most likely to be welcomed by the vegan community. According to the Daily Mail, the decision has been confirmed by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), who will see Renault ditch animal leather options from across its global car line-up in a few months. Moreover, it has already stopped offering leather seats and steering wheels to UK customers. One Billion Animals are Killed Annually for Leather The PETA report reveals that the global leather trade kills nearly one billion animals annually. It takes the hides of three cows or bulls to cover the interior of the standard-sized car. PETA's Vice President of Corporate Projects, Yvonne Taylor, said. "Renault is showing that true luxury doesn't come at the cost of animal welfare." The new Renault 5 E-tech Electric, Symbioz, and Rafale all feature seats that are made of eco-friendly fabrics. After talks with @PETA_France & @PETADeutschland, @renaultgroup pledged to ditch leather by the end of this year 🎉🐮We applaud this compassionate decision & can't wait to see their gorgeous leather-free interiors soon 👏🫶 Not just Renault, but other cars like Tesla and Porsche took part in the initiative According to PETA India, not only Renault but also prominent brands including Tesla, Porsche, and Volvo are also phasing out animal leather in favour of sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives. The shift is driven by growing consumer demand for ethical and eco-friendly vehicles. The report says that these companies are also offering 'vegan' or leather-free interiors, using materials like recycled plastics or polyester. Here's a look at some other brands and their initiatives: Tesla: Tesla is known for its all-electric lineup and has completely embraced vegan interiors by eliminating animal leather from all its models. Porsche: According to The New Indian Express, the brand is currently offering a leather-free interior option in its Taycan electric vehicle, marking a significant step towards sustainability. Volvo: Volvo is focusing on going leather-free across its entire range by 2030, utilising materials like Nordico that incorporate recycled plastics, cork, and other organic materials, reported ET. BMW: BMW's i3, an all-EV sedan, features all door panels and dashboards made from natural kenaf plant fibres and seat cloths made from 100 per cent recycled polyester. Mercedes-Benz: Mercedes-Benz also uses Artico, a synthetic vinyl-based leather material, in some of its vehicles. Fisker: This car also features a vegan interior made with recycled nets, T-shirts and rubber, as per PETA. Land Rover: While Land Rover uses a wool-polyester blend from Kvadrat in some of their vehicles. (Note: These brands are also offering vegan leather options for customers in a move to utilise synthetic materials like Sensatec and Artico.) FAQs Q. Which Renault models feature leather-free interiors? The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, Symbioz, and Rafale are among the models featuring eco-friendly, leather-free interiors made from sustainable fabrics. Q. What are some of the most important aspects of the design? The automobile has a '5' on the bonnet that shows the vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality, and the charge status (for techno trim and up).
Irish Independent
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Renault's Symbioz gets two new hybrid petrol engines with prices from €31k
Combining the qualities of a compact car and a family car and at just 4.41 metres long, Symbioz offers the best of the C-segment, with boot space of up to 624 litres, interior space and a sliding rear bench seat. The new entry Evolution trim priced from €31,995 gets the smaller 1.3 litre four-cylinder petrol turbo engine, boosted by a 12v mild hybrid system with CO2 emissions as low as 131g/km and fuel consumption of just 5.8l/100km. If you want more grunt, you can opt for the E-Tech 160 engine with a larger 1.8 litre unit that delivers 160bhp (hence the name) and a reduced consumption figure of 4.4l/100km and even shaves €10 off the annual road tax. That's down to CO2 emissions figures that have been reduced to 98g/km. Prices for the entry level Evolution trim start at €34,995. Standard kit is generous and comes with a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rear parking cameras and sensors, cruise control and speed limiter, auto climate control as well as additional features from the launch model. Techno trim for both powertrains adds navigation and multimedia thanks to OpenR Link with Google built in, adaptive cruise control, 18-inch diamond cut alloys, multi-sense driving modes, wireless phone charging and LED interior lighting. Moving up to the Techno Esprit Alpine with E-Tech hybrid 160 (from €39,595) adds hands free tailgate, 19-inch Esprit Alpine diamond cut alloys and sports seats, heated front seats and steering wheel and contextual adaptive cruise with lane centring assist. The Iconic Esprit Alpine trim (with E-Tech hybrid 160) includes the Solarbay opacifying sunroof and Harman/Kardon premium audio, 360 degree parking camera and full auto park from €41,595.
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Renault Boreal revealed as dramatically restyled Dacia Bigster
As it stands, the Boreal has only been mentioned for Latin America, Brazil, Eastern Europe and select African markets, excluding South Africa for now. Although based on the Bigster, the Boreal has undergone an extensive redesign. Image: Renault Confirmed in a single teaser image in April, with no official details being revealed, Renault has removed the wraps from the all-new Boreal destined for 70 markets outside Europe. Effectively a rebadged version of the Dacia Bigster, the Boreal will be assembled in Brazil for Latin America, with assembly for the remaining 54 markets in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and select African nations originating from Turkey. Fundamentals Debuting first in Latin America this year, the Boreal's exterior difference from the Bigster has been dramatic as apart, from the side profile, it sports a completely unique front and rear facia design additionally not shared with the Duster. Its name supposedly denoting 'technology, status and comfort', the Boreal rides on the same CMF-B platform as the Bigster and Duster, but with a 14 mm reduction in overall length to 4 556 mm compared to the former. ALSO READ: Renault starts teasing new SUV confirmed to be called Boreal Unchanged is the 2 702 mm long wheelbase, the 1 841 mm width and 1 650 mm overall height. The claimed ground clearance is 213 mm and as with the Bigster, the Boreal provides seating for five. In terms of boot space, the Boreal offers 522-litres with the rear seats up, which expands to 1 279-litres with the same 20/40/20 split rear back as the Bigster folded down. New look Aesthetically, the Boreal's reworked exterior comprises a new colour coded mesh grille, split LED light clusters, a gloss black bar above the Renault logo, Hyundai Tucson-type LED fog lamps, a new front bumper and air intake, and a silver skidplate on higher-end models. Rear-end styling takes inspiration from the Symbioz. Image: Renault At the rear, the taillights have been restyled to resemble those of the Jetour Dashing, while the facia itself derives heavily from the step-up Symbioz. Depending on the trim grade, the Boreal will be available with a dual-tone roof and up to 19-inch alloy wheels not shared in appearance with the Bigster. Renault-nised Dacia interior Inside, the interior's differences comprise a new steering wheel and more premium materials, but retains the dual 10-inch instrument cluster and infotainment system from the Bigster, the latter angled towards the driver and inclusive of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and integrated satellite navigation. Also kept are the physical switches underneath the central air vents, the toggle switch for the gear lever, the design of the centre console and a refrigerated central cubby. Interior differs subtly from the Bigster. Image: Renault Elsewhere, and again depending on the trim grade, the Boreal will be equipped with ambient lighting, type-C USB ports, dual-zone climate control, a ventilated wireless smartphone charger and a specifically made 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. In terms of safety and driver assistance, the Boreal conforms to level 2 autonomous driving by featuring Automatic Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centring Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Automatic Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Safe Exit Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and Driver Attention Alert. One engine, no electric assistance Residing up front, and in a complete departure from the Bigster and Duster, the Boreal omits any form of electrification for its sole engine option, the Daimler co-developed 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol. Paired as standard to a six-speed EDC transmission, the unit has, however, been tuned specifically for the markets it will be sold in. As such, it will produce 102kW/240Nm in Turkey, 115kW/270Nm in Latin America and 120kW/270Nm in flex-fuel guise in Brazil. Unlike the Bigster, the Boreal won't be offered with all-wheel-drive, though it does get five driving modes, Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport and MySense. Not for us Reportedly expected to have a price tag between R $200 000 (R645 379) and R $230 000 (R742 186) when it goes on-sale in Brazil, according to Brazil, the Boreal has, so far, not been confirmed for South Africa as it will likely clash on price with the Symbioz Renault stated last year is under investigation for 2026. As is stands though, this is purely speculative and could change next year. NOW READ: Dacia Bigster makes long awaited debut as 'extra long' Duster
Perth Now
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Mitsubishi Grandis returns, but it's no longer a people mover
Many automakers are busy delving into their archives and digging grand names for the past, attaching them to new vehicles, and tapping into our sepia-tinged memories. Mitsubishi is no different, with the Grandis the latest nameplate to be exhumed and repurposed. While the original car was a mid-size people mover that, in Australia at least, replaced the Nimbus, the new version is an SUV. Unlike the first generation car, which was very much a Mitsubishi designed and built product, the new one is a repurposed Renault Symbioz (bottom). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The Symbioz sits above the Captur in Renault's SUV range. The two share the same wheelbase, and are practically identical from the B-pillar forward, but the Symbioz has redesigned rear doors, a longer rear overhang, and sharper rear-end styling. All of this is carried over to the Grandis, but the Mitsubishi version has a unique fornt bumper featuring a gloss black single-frame grille design with chrome slats up top. Squint and the grille silhouette, if not the detailing, is bit like Lexus's spindle grille. Headlights and the distinctive S-shaped driving lights are all carried over from the Symbioz. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Around the side Mitsubishi has fitted its own Hybrid EV badges to the door, and the alloy wheels seem to be unique too. At the back there's a modified tailgate with flatter surfacing, and wider tail-lights incorporating modified graphics. The bumper has been tweaked ever-so-slightly to incorporate fake vents. Mitsubishi has replaced all of the chromed lower body highlights with gloss black counterparts to give the Grandis a slightly sportier look than the Renault. Inside, the only change of note is the airbag cover on the steering wheel, which now has a circular design with a three-diamond badge in the middle. Ahead of this is a 7.0- or 10.0-inch instrumentation display. Supplied Credit: CarExpert A 10.4-inch portrait touchscreen display sits in the middle of the dashboard. It runs Android Automotive, and comes with Google Maps, the Play Store and other services built in. The drivetrain range has been narrowed down for the Grandis. The base offering is a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol with 103kW, and the choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed automated dual-clutch transmission. For those wanting a bit more power and efficiency, there's a 1.8-litre hybrid with 115kW and a 'multi-mode' transmission. Pedal to the metal it's capable of completing the 0-100km/h dash in 8.5 seconds. Following on from the Clio-based Colt, and Captur-based ASX, the Grandis is the third thinly-disguised Renault-based model Mitsubishi has launched in Europe over the past few years. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert As part of reworked Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance announced in 2020, Mitsubishi had initially planned to withdraw completely from Europe to focus on its core markets of the Asia and Oceania. Not long later, though, the automaker changed course, deciding to stay on the Continent, and use rebadged Renault models to flesh out its range of models. To date the only rebadged Renault to be sold in Australia as a Mitsubishi was the short-lived Express. The Renault Trafic-based Express debuted in 2020, and was axed in 2022. Mitsubishi Australia has confirmed it will bring the Captur-based ASX to these shores later this year as a replacement for the ASX that was launched in 2010, and axed locally at the beginning of the year due to local safety standards. This marks a reversal of roles for the ASX, which in its first generation was restyled, and sold as the Peugeot 4008 and Citroen C4 Aircross as part of a deal with French rivals the PSA Group, which is now part of Stellantis. MORE: Everything Mitsubishi
7NEWS
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Mitsubishi Grandis returns, but it's no longer a people mover
Many automakers are busy delving into their archives and digging grand names for the past, attaching them to new vehicles, and tapping into our sepia-tinged memories. Mitsubishi is no different, with the Grandis the latest nameplate to be exhumed and repurposed. While the original car was a mid-size people mover that, in Australia at least, replaced the Nimbus, the new version is an SUV. Unlike the first generation car, which was very much a Mitsubishi designed and built product, the new one is a repurposed Renault Symbioz (bottom). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Symbioz sits above the Captur in Renault's SUV range. The two share the same wheelbase, and are practically identical from the B-pillar forward, but the Symbioz has redesigned rear doors, a longer rear overhang, and sharper rear-end styling. All of this is carried over to the Grandis, but the Mitsubishi version has a unique fornt bumper featuring a gloss black single-frame grille design with chrome slats up top. Squint and the grille silhouette, if not the detailing, is bit like Lexus's spindle grille. Headlights and the distinctive S-shaped driving lights are all carried over from the Symbioz. Around the side Mitsubishi has fitted its own Hybrid EV badges to the door, and the alloy wheels seem to be unique too. At the back there's a modified tailgate with flatter surfacing, and wider tail-lights incorporating modified graphics. The bumper has been tweaked ever-so-slightly to incorporate fake vents. Mitsubishi has replaced all of the chromed lower body highlights with gloss black counterparts to give the Grandis a slightly sportier look than the Renault. Inside, the only change of note is the airbag cover on the steering wheel, which now has a circular design with a three-diamond badge in the middle. Ahead of this is a 7.0- or 10.0-inch instrumentation display. A 10.4-inch portrait touchscreen display sits in the middle of the dashboard. It runs Android Automotive, and comes with Google Maps, the Play Store and other services built in. The drivetrain range has been narrowed down for the Grandis. The base offering is a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol with 103kW, and the choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed automated dual-clutch transmission. For those wanting a bit more power and efficiency, there's a 1.8-litre hybrid with 115kW and a 'multi-mode' transmission. Pedal to the metal it's capable of completing the 0-100km/h dash in 8.5 seconds. Following on from the Clio-based Colt, and Captur-based ASX, the Grandis is the third thinly-disguised Renault-based model Mitsubishi has launched in Europe over the past few years. As part of reworked Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance announced in 2020, Mitsubishi had initially planned to withdraw completely from Europe to focus on its core markets of the Asia and Oceania. Not long later, though, the automaker changed course, deciding to stay on the Continent, and use rebadged Renault models to flesh out its range of models. To date the only rebadged Renault to be sold in Australia as a Mitsubishi was the short-lived Express. The Renault Trafic -based Express debuted in 2020, and was axed in 2022. Mitsubishi Australia has confirmed it will bring the Captur-based ASX to these shores later this year as a replacement for the ASX that was launched in 2010, and axed locally at the beginning of the year due to local safety standards. This marks a reversal of roles for the ASX, which in its first generation was restyled, and sold as the Peugeot 4008 and Citroen C4 Aircross as part of a deal with French rivals the PSA Group, which is now part of Stellantis.
