New Renault Arkana

The Arkana is built on Renault Group’s new CMF-B platform to create a C-segment SUV midway between its larger SUVs (Kadjar and Koleos), but slightly smaller than the large family SUVs on the market that have up to three rows of seats (not available with the Arkana).

Although it’s a coupé with a rear drop roof, it also has a large luggage compartment with 513 litres expandable to 1296 litres by folding the rear seats to give a nearly smooth floor that can be fixed at two heights.

The overall dimensions of the new Renault Arkana are:

Renault Arkana	Length, m	Width, m	Height, m	Wheelbase, m	Luggage compartment, litres
	4.568	1.821	1.576	2.720	513 – 1,296

It’s made in Korea and is a descendant of the Concept Car that Renault first showed at the 2018 fairs. It comes in the brand’s well-known three packs (Intens, Zen and RS Line), and each pack has exciting options, and the RS Line is very sporty.

There’s also a new and exclusive colour for the R.S. Line versions, the Valencia orange metallic. This colour combines different black contrasts (including the roof), double tailpipes, bumpers with red profiles and shadow wheels, significantly enhancing its sporty look.

New Renault Arkana.- A Coupé SUV Design Rarely Exploited by Mainstream Brands

This is undoubtedly a really bold bet by Renault with a particularly steep rear that gives this model a really distinctive silhouette. It introduces an SUV model that was practically exclusive to premium brands until now to try to make this type of car accessible to the general public. 

Despite its new look, the new Arkana still maintains the basic lines of the Renault family with a very harmonious design, but with a higher waistline, a high rear with lights grouped along a central horizontal band, and a great sense of height that is emphasised with a ground clearance of a good 20 cm.

Also, its new wheels give it a very distinctive look. They are 17” for the Intens finishes and 18” for the Zen and RS Line and have fresh modern, and updated designs.

New Renault Arkana.- Plenty of Technology for an Exceptionally Spacious Interior.

When you open the doors of the new Arkana, your first impression is that it’s very spacious with a very carefully designed roof height and a perfectly manageable space for its five occupants, and excellent legroom even in the rear seats, despite the roof that falls sharply to the rear. There’s no doubt that they have taken utmost care about habitability.

The dashboard has a large, vertical multimedia screen (between 7” and 9.3” depending on the finish) and a digital instrument panel which is available in 4.1”, 7” or 10.2” versions.

In front of the gear stick, there is a holder for wireless charging of mobile phones next to the two built-in USB sockets, plus two additional USB sockets for the rear seats in the divider tunnel.

There are also plenty of storage spaces, together more than 26 litres, with bag holders next to the front passenger seat, bottle holders in the doors, and so much more. 

The interior of the RS Line finishes is particularly striking with its different red details, a specific perfectly balanced steering wheel with its new combination leather and textile upholstery, door panels and dashboard in imitation carbon fibre and metallic pedals.

New Renault Arkana.- Two Petrol Engines with Two Different Hybridisation Levels

Renault has decided to launch its new Arkana with two versions with electrically boosted petrol engines:

• E-Tech non-plug-in hybrid with 143 hp (1.6 engine)
• 12-volt micro-hybrid with 140 hp (1.3 TCe engine)

While we’re waiting for the 160 hp version to be launched later, both engines have direct access to the ECO label from Spain’s DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic) with all the benefits that it brings.

Both configurations have a specific petrol particulate filter and can even be configured with an EDC 7-speed automated gearbox (1.3 TCe versions).

The 12-volt micro-hybrid version has a consumption of only 5.8 litres/100 km, certified by the manufacturer.

The Arkana E-Tech has been configured as a non-plug-in hybrid set (although a plug-in version is due soon) by combining the famous Renault 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, 91 hp petrol engine, and 36 kW and 15 kW electric motors for different purposes.

The 15 kW motor is a high-voltage starter motor (HSG - High-Voltage Starter Generator), while the 36 kW motor provides performance support when needed.

In this E-Tech variant, the classic EDC automated gearbox has been replaced with a multi-mode clutchless gearbox, providing very smooth and well-tuned torque management for transmission to its front-wheel drive.

The train is powered by a 1.2 kW/h battery that weighs only 11 kg, which comes from the manufacturer’s research during its F1 participation. The result is a combined weighted consumption of 4.9 litres/100 km. However, its minimum range in electric mode does not qualify the model for the 0 (zero) environmental label from Spain’s DGT because it is less than 40 km.

New Renault Arkana.- Affordable Entry-Level Prices with Good Features and Driving Aids

In line with Renault’s policy of fitting all its latest models with the Renault Easy Drive package, the following driving aids have been supplied as standard to the new Arkana:

• Blind spot presence sensor
• Traffic sign recognition
• Stop&Go function
• Emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition
• Adaptive cruise control
• 360° camera
• Lane-keeping assistant
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• …

Optionally it can also be equipped with the following:

• Remote control of car functions from a mobile phone
• 4G connection for real-time data delivery
• Semi-automatic parking assistant (EasyPark Assist)
• Online map updates
• …
• And as a great innovation, a level 2 autonomous driving.

The new Renault Arkana is a very suitable option for anyone looking for this special SUV-coupé type but doesn’t need to show off a premium brand car. It has a unique appeal at a competitive price for a car that, without a doubt, has been built in line with the requirements of our times.

Renault Arkana	PRICE (*) (€)	Promo * (€)
Intens 1.3 TCe 140 hp EDC	27,080	25,745
Intens E-Tech 143 hp	28,480	27,075
Zen 1.3 TCe 140 hp EDC	29,180	27,740
Zen E-Tech 143 hp	30,580	29,070
RS Line TCe 140 hp EDC	31,780	30,210
RS Line E-Tech 143 hp	33,200	31,559

* With the manufacturer’s current launch promotion.

Source images: Motor Mundial magazine