17,977 units in 2021, and 7,569 between January and March 2022. In France, the Renault Arkana is a great success. This model, which appeared in the spring of 2021, uses a recipe already tested by German premium manufacturers : the SUV coupe.
Paradoxically, with the attributes of a fighter mixed with those of a coupe and its dodgy profile, this offer has not yet found any real competition from other generalist manufacturers; the Honda HR-V (4.34 meters) and the Volkswagen Taigo (4.27 meters) look much more compact.
This appearance is accompanied here bya very adequate habitabilityeven for two adults installed in the back, and a significant volume of the trunk, set at 513 liters (480 in hybrid).
Thanks to the adjustable floor, the 2 / 3-1 / 3 folding backrests create a large flat surface when folded. Too bad, though, that the load threshold seems so high.
the fairly conventional dashboard in its presentation, it uses Captur furniture as well as a rewarding and intuitive touch screen.
The set is pleasant, with simple and effective ergonomics, and the manufacturing quality is still satisfactory. Finally, he got this coupe SUV the maximum rating of five shock test stars EuroNCAP.
Spread over 4.57 meters and relying on an elongated Captur technical base at the wheelbase, the Arkana generates serious road services, with a pleasantly dynamic behavior and a relative firmness in the controls, which does not prevent it from offering a good level of comfort.
Some tremors appear on the imperfect pavement, especially at the rear, but this SUV is still a pleasant traveler. However, heavy bikers will find something to complain about: the Arkana is not offered with diesel engines.
Renault Arkana: equipment
The access version, called Zen (from € 30,800), has:
- six airbags
- autonomous emergency braking with detection of cyclists and pedestrians
- Active lane maintenance assistance
- tire pressure monitoring
- traffic signal recognition
- Isofix bindings
- emergency call button
- automatic headlights and wipers
- daytime running lights
- cruise control / speed limiter
- reversing camera
- Complete LED headlights
- front and rear parking sensors
- automatic air conditioning
- front and rear power windows
- electrically folded heated mirrors
- Hands-free access / start-up card.
- 2 / 3-1 / 3 folding rear seat backrests
- height-adjustable front seats
- anti-glare interior mirror
- electric parking brake
- 7 ”Easy Link touch screen multimedia system with smartphone replication, Bluetooth, WiFi, DAB radio and six speakers
- leather steering wheel
- black fabric upholstery
- 17 ”alloy wheels.
- puncture repair kit
The Intense finish (from € 32,950) adds:
- blind spot monitoring
- vehicle alert approaching as you exit the parking lot
- the automatic parking brake lock / unlock function (auto stop)
- automatic change from headlights to dipped headlights
- adaptive cruise control
- driving programs
- a central armrest in the rear seats
- digital instrumentation
- a 9 ”3 touch screen with GPS
- interior lighting interior
- 18 ”alloy wheels.
The RS line version (from € 35,700) represents the top of the range. She adds:
- semi-autonomous parking
- detection of lateral obstacles
- electrically adjustable front seats
- the heated steering wheel
- smartphone charging by induction
- heated front seats
- the contourless inner mirror
- a black roof
- black mirror caps
- RS line tires
- a specific interior / exterior treatment, with carbon coating.
A Business version is offered to an exclusively professional clientele.
Our advice: Aesthetically more discreet than the RS line and already well equipped, the Intens version seems highly recommended. But the basic finish, called Zen, already benefits from a good endowment.
Renault Arkana: on petrol
It was first launched with the 140 hp four-cylinder 1.3 TCe (7 hp, from € 30,800)the Arkana then received an increased variation in 160 hp (8 hp, from € 34,150).
Both engines adopt an alternator-starter micro-hybridization, imperceptible to the steering wheel, centered around a modest 12 V mains.
Miserably in terms of vibration, this turbo mechanism generates good driving pleasure, with flexibility and more than honest reminders. Mandatoryly associated with the 7-speed EDC robotic transmission, which is generally well-managed and smooth, TCe only differ from each other in terms of performance.
The access version develops 260 Nm of torque, compared to 270 of the TCe 160, the latter swallowing at 0 to 100 km / h in 9.1 secondsor 7 tenths faster than his little brother.
The top speed (205 km / h) is the same. Finally, in terms of consumption and CO2 emissions, there is no significant difference between the two versions: each model may, depending on its equipment, suffera maximum penalty of € 210.
It should also be noted that the 160 hp TCe, which “only” involves an additional cost of € 1,200 per equivalent equipment, is only offered from the Intensive intermediate finish.
Our advice: if the additional cost of the TCe 160 with identical finish seems acceptable, this engine changes very little at the wheel, except for improved performance, and without excessive consumption. Therefore, our choice would be to go to TCe 140.
Renault Arkana: in hybrid
Important note: this Arkana (5 hp, from € 32,300) cannot be plugged into an outlet. This is a “simple” hybrid, not a plug-in version.
Its small 1.2 kWh capacity battery automatically recharges during certain phases of operation, but can only drive the vehicle in 100% electric mode during take-off, short distances and during maneuvers.
But this mechanism, extracted from the Captur E-Tech 145 and consisting of a 91 hp gasoline unit coupled to two electric motors, is nevertheless very efficient and economical in urban use, at speeds that allow it. a very regular evolution in electric mode.
On the secondary network and on highways, the interest in this hybridization remains more debatable in theory, however approval remains at the appointment. This is even more true when a fluid and smooth journey is taken.
The management of thermal and electrical energy flows is done without problems, there are only some during the rises the 4-cylinder raises the pitch. This is due in part to an unprecedented clutch transmission, called multimode.
The performances remain one tone below those of the TCe 140 and TCe 160, with Approved from 0 to 100 km / h in 10.8 secondsa top speed limited to 172 km / h and slower pick-ups.
But the appetite for this version still remained reasonable during our tests: about 6 l / 100 km on average on mixed roads, and 7.4 l / 100 km on the motorway. Consumption according to the WLTP cycle is 4.8 l / 100 km and, with CO2 emissions of 108 g / km, this Arkana is not penalized.
Our advice: more expensive to acquire and less efficient than its 100% thermal counterparts, the Arkana hybrid is of real interest to those who regularly travel to urban and suburban areas, both for consumption and pleasure.
Renault Arkana: an option to choose?
He spare wheel that saves space increases the bill by € 180. In the Intens finish, the leather pack (leather upholstery, electric and heated front seats) has an optional cost of € 1,700.
Metal paints cost € 650 or € 850, the winter pack (heated front seats and heated steering wheel) is € 400. the electric sunroof requires an extension of € 900.
The Renault Arkana in figures
- 10: Renault’s coupe SUV entered the top ten car sales in France between January and March 2022, with 7,569 units sold. At Renault, during this period, only the Clio (15,771) and the Captur (11,840) improved.
- 25,546: This is the number of copies of Arkana sold in France since its release in the spring of 2021 (the volume stopped in late March 2022).
- 2155: This is the height of the Arkana, in millimeters, when its tailgate is open. Be careful in underground car parks.
- 11.2: In meters, this is the circle of rotation of the Arkana.
FACT SHEET (Renault Arkana)
- LxWxH (m): 4.57 × 1.82 × 1.58
- Wheelbase (m): 2.72
- Deposit (l): 50
- 5 (l) chest: 513 (480 in E-Tech)
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