"Sport paddles" are actually paddles where you set the recuperation of energy when breaking (it works just like when breaking with engine on regular car but stronger, so you can actually drive with 1 pedal). They work as gear shifters only on non-hybrid Austral.
We've considered buying this but in my experience Renault cars suck at driving uphill in the snow, and this isn't an AWD vehicle, despite the emphasis on it's 4control system which could be misleading for some.