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New Renault Arkana 2021 review


Verdict

With solely the mildest of electrification beneath the bonnet, the entry level within the Arkana vary can’t fairly pull off the trick of feeling like a completely fledged household SUV. The tough low-speed journey will make it exhausting work round city, and the engine and gearbox don’t really feel completely comfy with the automobile’s bulk on sooner roads. Eager finance affords might effectively sweeten the deal – though we’d say it’s telling that they’re being provided from launch.

Renault isn’t shying away from a problem. The French model, which lately introduced an entire product overhaul and a renewed deal with electrical automobiles, additionally needs to be a dominant pressure in what’s referred to as the C-segment, in business communicate. Which means providing rivals for every little thing from the likes of the VW Golf to the Nissan Qashqai. And right here is the primary new weapon designed to spearhead this assault: the Arkana.

To all intents and functions, the brand new arrival is a family SUV, but it surely adopts a extra aggressive roofline than you’ll discover on lots of its rivals – to the purpose the place Renault is asking it a coupe SUV. The corporate’s execs namedrop left-field choices just like the Toyota C-HR once they’re speaking about mannequin positioning, and we’d guess that whereas it’s barely smaller, Citroen’s lately launched C4 is one other goal.

There’s already a mannequin referred to as the Arkana on sale in Russia however the model we’re being provided within the UK is 95 per cent totally different mechanically. It’s in-built a distinct manufacturing facility to the Russian automobile, in South Korea. Intriguingly, although, the European Arkana relies on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s CMF-B platform. That’s the structure that underpins the Clio supermini and the Captur – so not the identical underpinnings because the Qashqai and even Renault’s personal Kadjar.

What you may have right here, then, is a smaller, cheaper chassis stretched to the max – to the purpose, in reality, the place the Arkana is definitely longer general than the Kadjar. Nonetheless, we thought the full-hybrid model of the brand new arrival was first rate sufficient after we tried it in late prototype type. However a 3rd of the mannequin’s gross sales are anticipated to be based mostly on this TCe 140 variant, which options Renault’s 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 138bhp and 260Nm, and a seven-speed automated gearbox.

There’s 12V hybrid help, but it surely’s mainly simply an built-in starter-generator that soaks up a teeny little bit of power that will in any other case be misplaced beneath braking, after which helps with cease/begin and, when you actually demand full acceleration, a modest 20Nm enhance in torque once in a while.

This all sounds achieved sufficient but it surely’s not fairly as convincing in follow. To take care of wise progress the engine has to rev to round 3,500rpm, however the ultimate 1,000rpm of that exposes a reasonably harsh drone from beneath the bonnet. It by no means feels that fast, both, and when you do attempt to get a hustle on, the gearbox begins to protest. It may be flummoxed at kickdown, and it doesn’t really feel completely worthy of your belief once you’re pulling out of junctions.

The chassis is what actually exposes the Arkana’s underpinnings. Admittedly our left-hand-drive take a look at automobile most likely uncovered us to each kerbside drainhole in Hertfordshire, however even on comparatively sensible-looking 18-inch diamond-cut alloys, the low-speed journey is only a bit too brittle for its personal good. It feels just like the Arkana’s limits of suspension journey are simply too simply breached by potholes, and it tends to shimmy over longer stretches of poor street floor.

We’d like to say the trade-off for that is gorgeous physique management and an involving drive however, effectively, it is a household SUV and it doesn’t actually ship both of these qualities. The steering has constant weight however is as numb as normal, and taller physique pitches and rolls a good bit on twistier roads. The general dynamic bundle is compromised on city roads, actually, and a way wanting delivering enjoyment past them.

Rolling refinement is half-decent when you’re cruising and the engine has settled down, however there’s a little bit of tyre roar from beneath and a stunning quantity of wind noise from the entrance glass space.

Your judgement on the cabin surroundings will rely on how joyful you’re with the concept of a scaled-up Clio inside – as a result of that’s what it’s. The digital instrument dials are crisp and clear, and on all however the entry-level model you get the 9.3-inch Simple Hyperlink touchscreen infotainment system. The portrait-layout show has a pleasingly excessive decision, though Renault’s interface and on-screen graphics don’t fairly do it justice. Android and Apple integration are each included, naturally.

Elsewhere, you get the easy piano-key buttons on the sprint – once more, like on the Clio – and our RS Line model had loads of fake carbon-fibre weave to interrupt up the black plastic. It’s serviceable sufficient, though you don’t need to look too exhausting to search out tougher supplies that may be acceptable on a supermini however that are much less interesting on a full-size SUV.

The platform’s progress spurt has a minimum of delivered cheap cabin house; there’s sufficient room for 4 six-footers in there, with a stunning quantity of headroom, given the sloping roofline. The boot capability (on this mild-hybrid version) of 513 litres is comfortably north of what you’ll get in a Golf – or, if coupe SUVs are your sole focus, the C-HR. The cabin has a good line-up of helpful cubbyholes, too.

Renault isn’t pulling any punches because it tries to search out recent prospects for Arkana. The record value appears to be like a bit excessive for what it truly is – the RS Line variant we drove was greater than £30k after choices. However sellers have already got zero-per cent finance offers to play with, bringing the month-to-month charges all the way down to as little as £249. Think about two years of free servicing and a five-year guarantee, and also you may simply find yourself with a automobile whose possession proposition outscores its basic qualities.

Mannequin:  Renault Arkana RS Line TCe 140 Auto EDC
Worth:  £29,900
Engine:  1.3-litre, 4cyl turbo petrol
Energy/torque:  138bhp/260Nm
Transmission:  Seven-speed dual-clutch auto, front-wheel drive
0-62mph:  9.8 seconds
High velocity:  127mph
Financial system:  48.7mpg
CO2:  132g/km
On sale: Now



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