A prototype of the next-generation Renault Arkana has been spied in the midst of testing but the future of the model remains unclear. Renault launched the current Arkana in Russia back in 2019. It is based on the old Kaptur sold in Eastern Europe and later launched in other markets, while the model launched in Central Europe in 2021 looks the same as the Russian but is based on the Captur II.
This prototype has a similar overall shape
to the current Arkana and the engineer behind the wheel confirmed the vehicle’s
identity to our spy photographer. Hidden beneath the camouflage at the front
are a set of split headlights that don’t appear to have the same lobster-claw
shape as other current Renault models. The French car manufacturer has made a
number of other alterations to the Arkana’s design, including re-shaping the
rear window and tweaking the roofline. The rear has also been overhauled with
taillights not dissimilar to those of the current Captur.
The new Arkana is expected to arrive for
the 2024 model year. However, one major hurdle that could impact its
introduction is the ongoing war in Ukraine. Renault initially introduced the
Arkana as a Russia-only model and prior to the conflict breaking out, was also
expected to initially launch this second-generation Arkana in Russia and Asia.
It would have also been manufactured at Renault’s plant in Moscow but
production was recently halted at this site and if Renault decides to pull out
of Russia, that will spell the end to the factory, meaning the new Arkana would
have to be built elsewhere.
If the 2024 Arkana does see the light of
day, we would expect its interior to also be updated and it may borrow some of
its features from the all-electric Megane E-Tech, including a similar
portrait-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster.
