Taking note of the SUV obsession in the country, Renault India is debating on the launch of the coupe-styled Arkana SUV in the nation. Recently a few spy shots of the undisguised Arkana on Indian roads made their way on the internet and by the looks of it, it seems like the launch of the SUV could be imminent. So far there has been no official announcement from the French automaker but we believe that the India launch of this unique SUV could be on the cards.
According to media reports, the manufacturer might have imported the vehicle into the country in order to conduct road testings of the SUV. It seems like Renault is collecting the data to examine the SUV’s performance in the Indian driving conditions. Globally, the Arkana is available in two platforms in which the newer CMF-B is used for a few European markets, while the older B0 platform used by the Indian Captur and Duster is used for the Russian market. The e-tech hybrid badge on the rear of the spotted vehicle suggests that this Arkana is based on the CMF-B platform.
It is also believed that if Renault decides on the launch of the Arkana in India, it will bring the same CMF-B platform variant to the country, as the last B0 platform model Captur which was brought to India failed miserably. Additionally, the coupe-styled SUV could be coming to the nation through the CBU route as Renault India is currently focused on maximising the production of its current portfolio vehicles in the country.
Arkana which is the first Renault SUV to come with this unique coupe-like styling shares a few design cues with its sibling Captur like the extended C-shaped LED headlamps, front bumper, bonnet and overall stance. The difference however arises in the rear section of the Arkana. The Arkana features a sloping roofline that blends with the trunk giving it a taller appearance like we have seen in the BMW X6 for years.
Inside, the interior of the Arkana is fitted with a ton of features like the vertically mounted 9.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system (in the top-end variant) which comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a fully digital instrument cluster and a Bose sound system.
On the safety front of the SUV, the Arkana comes equipped with an Active Emergency Braking System, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist, 360-degree camera, blind-spot warning and more. The SUV has also been awarded a five-star crash safety rating by Euro NCAP, bolstered by a suite of the latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
Internationally the Arkana comes with a choice of two engine options – the first of which is a mild-hybrid 1.3-litre engine that produces around 138 bhp. While the other drivetrain on offer is a 1.6 litre 4 cylinder petrol engine producing 148 bhp that comes along with a 69 kW of power-producing two electric motors.
Keyword: Renault may bring Arkana crossover to India via CBU route