The competitive mid-size SUV segment might see yet another product with Renault contemplating the introduction of the Arkana coupe SUV.
Renault Arkana could be the new rival to the Maruti Grand Vitara in our market. Renault has not had any new product in India after the Kiger. Duster was once a torch bearer of the segment but the competition soon overtook it snatching away its popularity. With the Arkana crossover SUV being spied testing on our roads, Renault might be aiming to regain its lost glory. While there is no official comment from the French carmaker, it makes us wonder why it is testing the Arkana.
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Renault Arkana – Maruti Grand Vitara Rival
In the European market, the Arkana is based on Renault’s new global CMF-B platform. It has the option of integrating a hybrid powertrain, which seems to be the trend in India lately. That is what this spied version is based on considering that it wears the E-Tech badge on the boot lid. Therefore, it might be safe to assume that the B0 platform that underpinned the Duster and Captur in our market will be done away with.
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Exterior Styling
On the outside, the Arkana features C-shaped LED headlamps like the one seen on the Mahindra XUV700, a chrome bar connecting the headlights, a sturdy silver skid plate to highlight its SUV-ish credentials, and a fog lamp housing on either side of the bumper. There is also a sleek chrome belt underlying the front grille above which the Renault logo sits. At the rear, the sloping roofline informs that it has the coupe body type, a boot lid-integrated spoiler, split LED taillamps connected by a chrome belt and a sporty bumper with a rugged skid plate.
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Interior
The interior looks fairly upmarket as well. There are red accents that grab the attention straightaway, then there is a portrait-style infotainment display, textured dashboard, metallic pedals for a sporty feel, steering mounted controls and gloss black finish on the door panels. In terms of features and connectivity, it will come with all the latest connected car tech features and smartphone connectivity.
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Specs
In the international market, the Renault Arkana is powered by two hybrid engines which is exactly what we see on the upcoming Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. For the Arkana, there are options of either a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine with a mild hybrid setup making 138 hp or the E-Tech hybrid (which is seen in this test mule) with two electric motors and 1.6-litre petrol with a self-charging mechanism with a clutchless transmission. Let us keep an eye out for what Renault plans to do after testing this model in India.
