Make Way! Here Comes A New Spacious, Sporty Hybrid, The Renault Arkana!

Groupe Renault is reinventing the conventional codes of the market by launching its sporty-looking Arkana SUV in Europe. 

It became the first general-purpose manufacturer to offer a SUV coupé in Europe. The new offer models in the compact range (Megane, Kadjar and Scenic) are fast-growing global SUV markets in the C-segment. 

“Arkana is a hybrid on every level, and perfectly blends the codes of the SUV with a positively sporty allure, combining responsiveness with versatility. It brings a fresh impetus to the mainstream compact SUV segment which is core to the European market. Arkana’s hybrid technology engines are clearly forward-looking and offer a unique driving experience, with the innovative E-TECH Hybrid system at the top of the range, guaranteeing driving pleasure in combination with reduced CO2 emissions and improved fuel efficiency”, said Arkana programme director François Laurent. 

The all-new Renault Arkana is now available in its Renault Sport (R.S.) Line version. It is the fourth model in Renault range after Clio, Captur and New Megane. It drew its inspiration from Renault Sport's DNA and the iconic New Megane R.S. model. 

Its body dimensions are 4,568mm in length, 2,034mm in width, 1,571mm in height and a wheelbase 2,720 in mm. 

The exterior of Renault Arkana R.S. Line has an exclusive hybrid look. The front grille with a bigger Renault logo and it is flanked by chrome brightwork and trim elements. It features a C-shaped lighting signature on all-LED headlamps while for the rear, it adds a strip extending over the whole width of the tailgate. It has 513-litres boot space while the E-TECH Hybrid version has 480-litres boot space. It also features a raised floor that can be placed at the bottom to increase the loading capacity or at the top to accommodate heavier luggage. 

Apart from that, it has front bumper features, red inserts and Silverstone wheels are unique features of the range. An R.S. Line badge has been added to the wings trim while the rear sports a chromed dual exhaust outlet and a darker skid plate, like the F1 bumper and skid plate before.  It has three alloy wheel designs in either 17-inch or 18-inch diameters and seven body colours including an R.S. Line-exclusive Valencia Orange paint finish.

It features a full digital dashboard with up to 10.2-inch coloured screen depending on the versions. It has one of the largest infotainment systems of 7-inch and 9.3-inch sizes. It offers three storage spaces which are on the centre console, side storage and storage net on the passenger side. There are four cup holders on the front and rear too. Apart from that, there are 4 door pockets that can hold 1.5-litre bottles. It also has a smartphone wireless charging system. In addition to wireless charging, it also features four USB plugs on the front and rear. 

There are various versions of upholstery seats in Renault Arkana. The first trim level offers fabric upholstery seats while the upper trim level offers faux leather fabric. The leather upholstery is an option. The R.S. Line version features mixed leather and suede upholstery finishing. It has 862 mm for headroom, 305 mm for foot space and passenger seats offer 211 mm for the sporty model.

Drivers can enjoy an elevated seating position for improved comfort and ergonomics. According to selected features, back-seat passengers can enjoy a removable wide centre armrest and adjustable air vents on the centre console rear panel. Every version comes with an air purifier as part of the automatic air-conditioning system. 

The new Renault Arkana features Renault Easy Link. It is an ergonomic multimedia system at the heart of a connected ecosystem of Renault Easy Connect. It features continuous 4G connectivity and additional services offered by partners such as Google (address finder) and TomTom (real-time traffic information and danger zones) via MY Renault app. It is available in three configurations and all compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

There are the safety features : Active Emergency Braking System, Blind Spot Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition with Excess Speed Warning, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Guard System. There are parking safety features : 360-degree cameras (not yet available), Rear Cross Traffic, Front, Rear and Side Parking Sensors and Easy Park Assist.

As for the performance, the mid-sized compact SUV is available in a choice of three engines, the 145 hp or 160 hp E-Tech hybrid powertrain and the 1.3-litre TCe four-cylinder turbocharged direct injection petrol engine, with mild-hybrid technology. 

Its E-Tech Hybrid reduces CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by up to 40 percent compared to a traditional combustion engine in urban driving. The efficiency of TCe engine is paired with an EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission to provide engaging performance and low running costs. 

The New Arkana features driver-assistance systems including Highway and Traffic Jam Companion. These advanced driver-assistance systems come in three versions - Driving, Parking and Safety. 

The Renault Arkana is designed to meet the expectations of international markets. It illustrates the Groupe Renault’s global approach and its capacity to conquer new markets. This is a worldwide vehicle, with technical features tailored to each market. In Europe, the New Arkana is based on the Alliance’s CMF-B modular platform which was also featured on the latest generations of Clio and Captur.

Moving forward, the all-new Renault Arkana will be made in South Korea. The Groupe started taking orders in March 2021 for the TCe versions and in June 2021 for the E-Tech Hybrid version.