New Renault Arkana revealed at 2018 Moscow motor show

Renault has revealed its new Arkana SUV, a coupe-styled SUV that will be the French brand’s flagship for that market when it is introduced.

The five-seat Arkana shares much of its design cues with the Captur, though with edgier styling like the LED headlamps taken from the likes of the new Megane. The sloping roofline at the rear integrates well with the boot, making the Arkana look more like a high-riding crossover. This look is father enhanced by  large 19-inch alloy wheels and a high ground clearance. The rear features two exhaust pipes at the bottom of the bumper and a full width LED tail-lamp strip. Renault’s design boss Laurens Van den Acker said it strikes “a balance between the elegance of a sedan and the powerful stance of an SUV.”

The platform of the Arkana is a reworked version of the same unit found on the Russia-spec Duster and Captur (sold there as the Kaptur). While details have not been revealed yet, it may also share engine options with those cars for that market. A tech detail that has been confirmed is that all-wheel-drive will be on offer with the SUV.

After being introduced in Russia early next year, the SUV will go on sale in Asian markets, though it is unlikely that Renault will bring the Arkana to India. The Captur hasn’t been the sales spinner the French carmaker had hoped for as Indian buyers prefer a traditional, upright stance on their SUVs, rather than the stylish-looking Renault. The coupe-like roofline on the Arkana may not make the same impact its is expected to get in other markets.