Renault’s SUV family has become bigger
with the addition of the Arkana. The compact crossover coupe is limited to the
Russian market for now, although it could launch in other countries, such as
Korea, probably under the Renault Samsung brand.
Previewed by the Arkana Concept last summer, the
production model looks almost identical, bar a few styling updates at the front
and rear, and one tailpipe instead of two. Its defining feature is the sloping
roofline, which makes it look like a more affordable alternative to the
Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe and BMW X4.
At a first glance, the interior combines leather
trim with several scratchy plastics and doesn’t miss out on the usual gear. The
Arkana features an 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android
Auto, ambient lighting, a Bose premium sound system and single-zone climate
control, although some of these are expected to be offered in higher grades.
Driving aids include 360-degree camera system, blind
spot monitoring, parking sensors and other safety assistance features. They can
also select between three different driving modes named Sport, Eco and MySense.
The Arkana is powered by the 1.3-liter Tce petrol
engine, co-developed with Daimler. It pushes out 150 PS and
is coupled with a CVT X-Tronic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional, as
base models have to make do with front-wheel drive only.
Renault will start accepting orders for the Arkana
in Russia this summer, but the crossover coupe is already being offered for
sale in the Edition One grade, which comes from 1,419,990 rubles
(US$ 22,057/€ 19,763) with FWD and 1,499,990 rubles (US$ 23,299/€ 20,877) with AWD. The
Arkana Edition One is equipped with LED lighting units at both ends, more
chrome trim on the outside and 17-inch alloy wheels, with a two-tone look.
