Renault is also entering the hybrid SUV market

Renault Arkana, the French's new compact leisure vehicle, could hit the market in a year's time. The practicality will be sacrificed on the side of the spectacle, but there will also be a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Slightly larger than the five-door Mégane, technically related to the Clio and Captur, Renault’s new recreational vehicle, the coupe-lined Arkana.

Based on the Renault-Nissan Alliance's CMF-B modular floor panel, the vehicle combines style elements strangely: with its bottom protection plates and wheel arch extensions, it clearly engages with mudguards, while the vibrantly drawn roof panel, richly dosed chrome trim, makes it look dynamic and elegant.

Playing in the compact crossover size class (4568 mm long, 1571 mm high, 2720 mm wheelbase), the car will also be available in a sporty RS Line design, which is no more spectacular than the all-inclusive optical sports package (for example, carbon inserts, aluminum elements and red lanes in the passenger compartment) , but thanks to the two 140-horsepower engines, there will be no complaints about driving dynamics.

The Arkana will be the second model after the Clio E-Tech Hybrid to receive the 140-horsepower full hybrid powertrain. It consists of a 1.6-liter petrol engine, two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery and a clutchless (robotic) transmission. The car starts in purely electric mode and tests show that it can still drive 80% of its operating time.

This means about 40% better consumption and CO2 emissions. The other engine is a standard 1.3-liter, four-cylinder petrol turbo with a dual-clutch transmission. Its consumption is reduced by 12-volt mild hybrid technology (brake energy recovery and efficient start / stop system). The systems can be used in four modes (economical, comfortable, sporty, automatic).

(Source: vezess.hu / photo: pexels.com)