Renault have launched their first Coupé SUV, the Arkana and the sleek newcomer comes with a choice of either mild hybrid or full hybrid options.
The Arkana is already sold in some markets as the Samsung XM3 and there’s also a version for the Russian market. Although all these cars look similar, this Arkana is based on an entirely new platform and is completely different.
Power comes from an E-Tech hybrid, which uses a 1.6 litre petrol engine, coupled with a 1.2 kWh Lithium Ion battery and two electric motors to deliver 145bhp. The main motor is used to propel the car while the second motor is used to smooth power delivery when gears change automatically – the gearbox is a manual gearbox operated automatically.
Electric operation is prioritised so the petrol engine doesn’t need to kick in, even when starting off. When maximum performance is needed, or in Sport mode, petrol and electric combine to maximise acceleration. An EV button is also fitted which allows the driver to maximise EV usage although with a small battery, there’s isn’t much EV range. A B-Mode function allows for increased regenerative braking which feeds energy to the battery as the car slows down.
The second power option is a mild hybrid, centred around a TCe 140 petrol engine offering 140bhp and 260Nm of torque. It’s a 1.3 litre engine with emissions from 131g/km. It uses a 12 volt starter generator and comes as standard with a seven speed dual clutch automatic transmission.
There are also three trim levels available, starting with the Ionic with S Edition and RS Line also an option. Both engines, hybrid and mild, can be specified on any trim.
Standard equipment across all grades includes advanced driver safety systems, a touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 17” diamond cut alloy wheels, rear camera, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control with speed limiter and LED lighting.
S Edition comes with 18” alloys, tinted windows and front and rear skid plates. The top RS Line spec also gets unique front bumpers and honeycomb grille, heated electric front seats, wing trims, gloss black door mirrors and body coloured door handles.
Inside, the long wheelbase releases plenty of interior space for passengers and luggage space with a 513 litre boot (or 480 for the hybrid with its under-seat batteries).
Depending on trim, a 7” or 9.3” portrait screen is fitted to the dashboard and ambient lighting, which runs along the dashboard and doors can easily be controlled either independently or based on whatever driving mode you choose.
Advanced technology inside the car includes satellite navigation with live traffic and weather, google address search with 4G connectivity and automatic updates which are free for the first three years. All of this comes with the 9.3” touchscreen, which is fitted to all but the base model.
The range starts from €28,990 or €249 per month with a five year warranty and five years roadside assistance.
Renault predict a roughly even split between the hybrid and mild hybrid models, with 50% of all customers choosing the top RS Line trim level.
