Ever since Renault forged its pre-Millennial Alliance with Nissan (March 1999), expanded subsequently by similar links with Dongfeng (a Chinese car corporation) and Mitsubishi Motors, it has been a company with world car domination in its sights. Naturally, it is not a simplistic task. Renault has tried before (unsuccessfully) to grow a North American sales operation, by which its aims might be declared as viable.
However, partnerships, or ‘The Alliance’, as Renault prefers to call it, has endured innumerable problems. The simple fact is, had it not done so, it would certainly not be in its current position, which is far stronger than some critics have portrayed. Slamming together the wildly different cultures of France and Japan, it has been obvious that some cracks have appeared between Gallic laissez-faire and Oriental zen.
Yet, despite their relative sizes (and Nissan was by far the bigger of the pair), one would not have survived without the other. A Sino-partnership is an inevitability; not to be involved in China would have been a gross error of corporate judgement. However, Mitsubishi Motors, which has always been in a parlous position as a stand-alone operation, mainly because the significantly larger Mitsubishi Corporation never really knew what to do with its little car company, has brought some intelligent and alternative methodology to the Alliance’s table.
At this year’s Moscow Motor Show, Renault will unveil the Arkana show car as a World Premiere of a distinctive coupé-crossover that is also its new global vehicle. Its class-unique design and styling is a genuine novelty in the hugely competitive midfield SUV class, which is currently the most dynamic, hectic and challenging sector of the entire automotive industry. Consumers’ needs are becoming increasingly diverse, therefore Arkana has been born of those new expectations. As Renault highlights, it proposes a balance between the elegance of a family hatchback and the sturdiness of an SUV, with curvy and dynamic styling nuances introduced by a coupe-like roof-line.
Robustness is expressed through the car’s high ground clearance, wide wheel-arches and large diameter, 19.0-inch alloy wheels, all of which hint at all-terrain competence. Arkana is a sturdy vehicle ready to face harsh driving and tough weather conditions. The elegance of its high waistline and sloping coupé body is emphasised by side chrome detailing and a panoramic glazed roof.
Designed by former Mazda styling chief, Laurens Van den Acker, this new production vehicle will be assembled and marketed in different countries throughout the world, commencing with Russia in 2019. Subsequently, it will be manufactured and sold in Asia and other regions, with the same styling adapted to local requirements. Intriguingly, there are no plans stated for Arkana to be sold in Europe, possibly because Mitsubishi already offers its Eclipse Cross model line, which offers a similar coupe-like profile.
As part of its Drive the Future strategy, Groupe Renault intends to step up the pace of its international growth, expanding its product range to increase sales volumes up to 5m units by 2022. Arkana is a means to achieving this goal. It may interest you to appreciate that Groupe Renault claimed almost one-third of the Russian market in 2017 (448,270 vehicles sold, taking a 28% market share). Russia today ranks as Groupe Renault’s number two market and is set to become the Group’s leading market by the conclusion of the plan.
