trial. With Arkana, Renault Challenges the Coupe SUV

Luca de Meo, the Renault CEO who arrived last July, did not have time to set foot or give his opinion on the Arkana. Manufacturing had already begun before he arrived.

However, it seems that this Renault is finally finding the path of innovation and daring, without falling into the previous failures of Avantime or Vel Satis. Arkana is rational.

SUV coupe sell like hot cakes at the top of the range among German manufacturers? Very well, Renault will provide one that is more accessible.

successful style

That’s what we noticed first, the arcana is a much more successful vehicle in real life than in pictures. The sizes, colors and exterior width make it an imposing way. The line is balanced, which is somewhat rare in an SUV coupe.

Inside, the finish underlines Renault’s progress. It is well assembled, and the materials seem to be of high quality. Our test model in the RS Line finish is mathematical.

Carbon finish all around, red trim, laminated seats, RS logos, Arcana announce the colour, there’s going to be sport!

Watching your comfort

If you are going to attack the Nürburgring, forget everything. Our arcana is not athletic.

Certainly, it gives a very honorable performance with 0 to 100 in less than 10 seconds, as well as handling the road quite honorably.

But contrary to what its powerful presentation suggested, Renault’s first SUV coupe remains above all an SUV. Aiming to move your little family, she is talented in this role.

The suspension is typical comfort, without reducing road performance, the trunk is massive, and the rear seats are very correct. We wanted easier access to the back seat and more knee room.

No competition at the moment

On the engine side, the Arkana inherits E-TECH. We are talking about a 1.6-liter atmospheric engine connected to an electric motor, a starter and a small battery of 1.2 kWh. Daily driving is no different from conventional gasoline.

During this experiment alternating between the city and the secondary network, we consumed 7.2 liters, which is a very encouraging value.

At €36,100 at the end of the RS Line tied to the hybrid, the Arkana is well positioned.

Especially since competition is absent from prestige, at the moment. We know SUV coupe projects are emerging among general practitioners, starting with Peugeot.