Renault's new D-segment crossover has been spotted testing for the first time ahead of its launch in Europe in 2017.
The as yet unnamed model is based on the Nissan X-Trail and will sit above the newly launched Kadjar in the French firm's line-up. In the same way that the Kadjar shares its underpinnings and engines with the Nissan Qashqai, the new SUV is expected to take the same path.
These spy pictures give little away about the SUV's styling, although it's expected to take inspiration from the Kadjar. A large Renault badge and grille can be seen at the front, while some plastic body cladding can also be seen around this test mule's lower edges.
As the X-Trail is available in both five and seven-seat forms, it's highly likely that at least one variant of Renault's large crossover will offer seating for seven. As with the Kadjar, the car's cabin is expected to feature a digital instrument cluster and will come with the latest version of Renault's R-Link infotainment system.
Engines for the new model will be lifted from the X-Trail range and will include the same 1.6-litre turbodiesel already offered in the Qashqai and Kadjar. The 1.6 DIG-T engine from the Nissan Juke Nismo should also be offered. Like the X-Trail, the new crossover will be offered with a choice of front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
The new car was confirmed earlier this year by Renault design boss Laurens van den Acker, who said: "The D crossover is developed and will be produced in China in 2016, and there is a chance it will come to Europe as well.
"[The Kadjar] needs to become the bridge to the D crossover, so this car has an important role to play."
Currently Renault just offers the Captur as a crossover in the UK, so the leap from that supermini-based SUV to a rival for the likes of the X-Trail would be too large.
"If we cannot get people to move from Captur to Kadjar, then we cannot get people to go to the D crossover, so we need this car [the Kadjar] to do well," he said.
As well as the X-Trail, rivals for the new large crossover in Europe include the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento.
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