The all-new Renault Arkana SUV coupe has arrived in Australia and in three variants – the Zen, Intens, and R.S. Line.

The Arkana is based on the CMF-B, or common module family B-segment platform, and is powered by a 1.3-litre, turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine delivering 115kW at 5,500rpm and 262Nm at 2,250rpm. Fuel consumption is a claimed 6-litres per 100km on the combined cycle. Power flows through a 7-speed dual-clutch (EDC) gearbox.

Renault’s multi-sense system is available on Intens and R.S. Line with three customisable driver modes and choice of eight ambient lighting colours.

The company says that Eco mode helps to take fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to the lowest level by reducing the engine responsiveness to acceleration. Sport mode provides improved driving precision through sharper acceleration and firmer steering, while My Sense allows for personalisation by customising the steering flexibility, interior ambient lighting and instrument panel layout.

Standard driver assistance systems across the Arkana range include active emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, blind spot warning, easy park assist, and automatic high-low beam headlights.

The Easy Park Assist system comes as standard, allowing for hands-free parking. Rear cross traffic alert comes standard on Intens and R.S. Line. Arkana comes with the full complement of airbags: front and rear curtain airbags, and front and side chest airbags.

Inside, there is premium leather and suede upholstery in the Intens and R.S. Line as well as electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated seats.

Smart cockpit features include Renault’s Easy Link multimedia system, accessed via a 9.3-inch portrait or 7-inch landscape central touchscreen. Also, depending on the variant, a range of driver display screens come standard from 4.2-inch to 7-inch. A fully digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster is available as an option on Intens and R.S. Line.

The R.S. Line gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone replication, four USB ports and wireless phone charging.

Climate-controlled air-conditioning, air purifier and rear air vents are standard across the range.

Boot volume reaches 485 litres, and there is a split-level floor giving the choice of easy loading with the flat bottom, or maximising space with a deeper boot.
Available in a range of seven colours, each Arkana variant comes standard with dual chrome exhaust tips, distinctive alloy wheel designs and, depending on the version, chrome, gloss black or gun-metal grey exterior design accents.

The top-of-the-range R.S. Line – arriving January 2022 – comes with some sportier trim, and a full opening sunroof is standard on this model and optional on the Intens.

Both these variants can also be specified with a contrasting black roof.

The new Arkana is backed by Renault’s 5 Year Easy Life Ownership package, delivering five years unlimited kilometre warranty, five capped price services with a 30,000km service interval between each, and five years Roadside Assistance when serviced with an official Renault dealer.

The Arkana range starts with the Zen at $33,990, followed by Intens at $37,490 and the top-of-the-range R.S. Line at $40,990 – all before options
and on road costs.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (September 2021) 

28 September 2021