New Renault Arkana Crossover Previewed
Renault has teased a picture of its upcoming crossover, showcasing its name for the first time. It’ll be called Arkana, derived from the Latin word for secret. The full reveal will take place on 29th August at the Moscow International Motor Show, before being launched in 2019.
Renault hasn’t given us much to work with, but the photo (and this one from Autocar, left) clearly shows that the new model will feature similar taillights to the Megane and Koleos. The company says the new Arkana SUV will offer “uniqueness and incredible magnetism”. Roughly translated, the crossover will look sportier than the Captur it’ll be based on.
A sweeping coupe-like roofline will be the most noticeable change from Renault’s current SUV line-up. These sleeker crossovers tend to offer slightly less practicality and slightly more style, so you can expect the Renault Arkana to be quite popular when it goes on sale. Using the same design language as the Megane suggests that future Renault models, such as the Clio, will follow suit.
The engine range is likely to be shared with the Kaptur, a slightly larger version of the Captur made for the Russian market. As a result, expect a 1.6-litre front-wheel-drive variant and a 2.0-litre four-wheel-drive model.
The Arkana is primarily developed for Russia, which Renault has identified as one of its key markets. Despite Russians buying fewer new cars overall, Renault enjoyed a large increase in 2017. If it can survive in Russia it’ll be able to survive our British winters, but it’s not yet confirmed whether the Arkana will come to our shores.
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