The Arkana coupe-SUV is Renault’s first “purpose-built” hybrid car

You may remember the Renault Arkana that was shown-off at the Moscow motor show back in 2018. No? Well, we don’t blame you, so here’s a quick refresher: it’s a coupe-styled C-segment SUV, built on a heavily-modified B0 platform from the first-gen Captur, and is on sale in Russia and a few other Asian countries.

Got it? Great. Three years since the model’s show car was first unveiled, Renault has now launched the Arkana in Europe, but with a key difference – it’s built on the newer Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-B compact car platform (found on the all-new Clio and Captur).

The platform change also means a update in powertrain choices, and as a part of its marketing strategy, Renault is now calling it their “first purpose-built hybrid car”.

We’re not quite sure what that means, since it’s also available with other powertrains in other regions, but European customers can choose between two electrified powertrains: a 145 hp 1.6-litre petrol-electric hybrid E-Tech, or a turbocharged 1.3-litre petrol engine with a 12V mild-hybrid technology and 140 hp.

The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance is targetting to unveil 12 new EV models by next year! Read more about it here.

The former is equipped with a special “dog clutch” automatic transmission to seamlessly switch between petrol and electric power, and does 0-100 km/h in 10.8 seconds, onward to a top speed of 173 km/h. As for the latter, it’s paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch EDC transmission, which translates to a century sprint time of 9.8 seconds, and a top speed of 205 km/h.

Looks wise, the European-spec Renault Arkana is pretty much unchanged from the global models, with standard features including fully-LED headlights with the iconic C-shaped daytime-running lights, as well as the LED tail lights with a full-width light bar across the tail gate.

The European do get a new range-topping R.S. Line variant, however, with a deeper Formula 1-inspired front splitter, a variant-specific honeycomb grille, gun metal skid plates and accents throughout the exterior, as well as a larger set of 18-inch wheels, finished with a red stripe on one of its spokes.

Take a look at the original Renault Arkana show car and see if you can pick out the (mild) differences!

Moving inside, the R.S. Line treatment extends to the dashboard with a carbon fibre-like finish, as well as additional red accents along the dashboard and door lining, plus red stitching on the leather steering wheel, seats, and seat belts.

Otherwise, the rest of the interior is pretty akin to that of the Clio, and customers will get either a 7.0- or 9.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display in the centre, along with either a 4.2-, 7.0-, or 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, depending on variant.

As standard, the Renault Arkana in Europe is equipped with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, and tyre pressure monitoring system as standard. Adaptive cruise control is available on the two higher-end variants, along with automatic headlights.

The updated Renault Megane R.S. 300 is now available in Malaysia! Check it out here.

The Renault Arkana will start at GBP25,300 (~RM149k) in the UK, with first deliveries starting sometime in September. Would you like to see the Arkana being introduced here in Malaysia to rival the likes of the BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe? Let us know in the comments below!

GALLERY