Renault has introduced the production version of the Arkana, a coupe-styled compact SUV for Russia and other markets. The Arkana will be built in Renault's factory outside of Moscow and will go on sale in Russia this summer.
Renault says the 4500 mm (177 inch) long Arkana has true off-road capabilities, with ground clearance of more than 200 mm (7.9 inches) and approach and departure angles of 18 degrees and 25 degrees, respectively.
The SUV will be available in all-wheel-drive versions, and have 17-inch wheels. Power for the Russian market comes from a 150-hp gasoline engine developed in collaboration with Daimler.
Inside, an eight-inch infotainment touch screen supports Android Auto, Apple Car Play and Yandex Auto, a new collaboration announced by Renault this week.
Renault is the fourth-best selling brand in Russia, according to statistics from industry group AEB, trailing group affiliate Lada, Kia and Hyundai. Sales rose by 5 percent in April over the same month last year, to 12,543 units. For the year, Renault sales are down by 7 percent.
Lada, Renault and alliance partner Nissan combined have around a one-third share of the Russian market, which has returned to growth in the last 18 months after losing more than half its volume. However, the market is showing weakness this year, with April sales down by 2.7 percent. Sales are down by 1 percent for the year.
Renault says the Arkana is a key model for its international expansion plans. Other markets will get a version of the Arkana, starting with South Korea. The Renault-Samsung Inspire, as the variant for Renault's Korean subsidy will be called, will be built in Busan and go on sale starting in the first half of 2020.
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The Arkana is based on the architecture used by the Dacia Duster, which is branded as a Renault in many overseas markets. The same platform is also the base for the Kaptur, an SUV sold in Russia that uses a similar body to the European Captur subcompact SUV. The Duster and Kaptur are built in Renault's Moscow factory. The Duster-based Kaptur is also sold in India and Brazil.
