Renault arkana e-tech 145 test: we tested the only French hybrid SUV
Camille Pinetspécaliste Automobile01 July 2021 at 9:4424 Pinet for Clubic
Before an electric offensive announced by its new boss, Renault is also involved in the hybrid thanks to its original system declined throughout its range.The last to take advantage of it is the Arkana, a coupé SUV which combines with some success all the automotive trends of the moment.
Renault has been in turmoil for a few years, with unsatisfactory commercial results and a range of products not always in cohesion with the market.Admittedly, the diamond was the first of the French brands to invest massively on electric and partly harvested the fruits thanks to the success of the ZOE.But all its latest high -ends recorded a patent failure, and some of its historical lines such as the Scenic and Espace minivan have arrived at the end of the race, unable to seduce again.
Lire aussi : Renault ZOE 2 à l'essai : le pari de la continuitéCamille Pinet pour ClubicArkana: The recipe for success?
Based on the principle that the recipes that work elsewhere can also meet success at home, the manufacturer launched the Arkana at the beginning of the year, which concentrates everything that attracts the customer of today.This is of course a raised vehicle placed on large wheels, but also a coupé as offered, with a success never denied, the German brands Audi BMW and Mercedes. Une carrosserie qui permet de proposer un modèle un peu moins haut et un peu plus aérodynamique qu’un SUV traditionnel : un procédé déjà employé par la Citroën C4, qui économise de précieux grammes de CO2.
Camille Pinet pour ClubicIt also allows the manufacturer to exist on the compact SUV segment, pending the arrival of the new Kadjar.Unlike Peugeot and Citroën, Renault also relies on the non -rechargeable hybrid thanks to its new engine inaugurated by the Clio.Remember that it uses an original transmission, made up of a flashbox controlled by two electric motors.A system that is both simple on the mechanical and very compact level.The Arkana has just benefited, which allows it to ignore diesel, increasingly rare in the Renault range.
Finally, it should be noted that this new model is produced in Korea on the channels of the Samsung manufacturer, which belongs to Renault.In the automotive industry, relocation is definitely not a phenomenon of the world before!
Camille Pinet pour ClubicIn the interior of Arkana: discretion is not its credo
Proposed in four finishes, the Arkana leaves the choice at the top of the range between a discreet definition, the intention, and a much more clairical, the R.S.Line, which was equipped with our test model.With its 18 -inch black rims with a red insert, its glass frames and its black fin, it does everything to attract the eye, monitoring the most popular definitions in luxury manufacturers, s lines at Audi and M sport atBmw.Renault never fails to recall that the coupé SUV formula only exists in this "premium" universe.
Lire aussi : Quelle voiture électrique a la meilleure autonomie en 2021 ?Inside, this spectacular bias ends up with fairly convincing false carbon decorations, red stitching on belts and seats and counterports and red inserts on the dashboard and the steering wheel.An atmosphere at the borders of very fashionable tuning.The quality of finish appears satisfactory, even if the Arkana does not do better than the lower category capture.We also find the 9.3 inch screen and the multimedia system of the latter.Modern, the screen is fluid and offers satisfactory ergonomics of its menus, which is paradoxically increasingly rare in current production.
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We find on our model the digital instrumentation of 10.2 inches already seen on the Megane and the Captur, fully configurable, which does not allow, for example, that of BMW.Unfortunately, the copies currently at the order only have the 7 inch version due to the shortage of semiconductors.Notwithstanding, this Renault is up to date on the plan of on -board technologies.
The best surprise concerns habitability: if the cut SUVs have the annoying tendency to cut the space available at the back, this is not the case here since two adults over 1.85 m can settle comfortablyOn the rear seat, even with the panoramic roof option.Same observation at the trunk: if its loading threshold appears a little high, it offers with 480 liters (33 liters less than thermal versions) a relatively satisfactory volume.However, let's not be mistaken: for those who like to load to the roof, the bodywork imposes important practical sacrifices compared to a traditional compact SUV: this is the whole limit of the concept of "suv coupe", which rollshappily on the term "utility" present in the acronym (sport utility vehicle).
Camille Pinet pour ClubicBehind the wheel of the renault arkana e-tech hybrid
Since the launch of the first hybrid models in 2020, Renault has further refined the development of its new system, and it is clearly perceptible to the driving of Arkana.The few jolts that the rechargeable captur could suffer are completely absent from the new model, which is characterized by a softness of operating contrasting with its aggressive appearances.
Lire aussi : Voiture électrique : combien coûte la recharge à domicile ?Effective, hybrid engine prefers flexible driving and can in no case be qualified as a sportswoman, even if it offers very correct performance.It is characterized by the very many operating phases in 100% electric mode, but also by the operation of the transmission which imposes some changes in habits.Even if it has four mechanical reports, it distills in certain operating phases of sensations close to a continuous variation box, when the engine speed is decorated with the feeling of acceleration.A feeling that is explained by the fact that the Arkana constantly needs electrical energy, and must therefore periodically use the heat engine to recharge the battery.This cannot be considered as a defect, unlike the slow reaction which it shows when you crush the accelerator.
Camille Pinet pour ClubicIn any case, the whole is rather silent, even on the highway where tires are heard more than the heat engine.Finally, note that the Renault has a mode B, which increases the strength of regeneration.For those who have gotten into the habit of driving by very rarely touching the brake pedal, it is always a plus.On the other hand, the electrical box command is always a little annoying in maneuver, because it is often necessary to insist on changing the report.
Based on the recent CMF platform, the Arkana has been the subject of a careful focus of its rolling trains.It offers a comfort/agility compromise that is among the best that the manufacturer offers in its current range.He manages to combine mastery of roll and remarkable agility, with a very satisfactory level of suspension comfort, perfectly suited to family use.
Camille Pinet pour ClubicRenault has also made changes to management since the launch of the model in order to remove the impression of blur in the middle point that it inspired, and the changes have borne fruit.Only 18 -inch rims generate low -speed trepidations: the designers of self incriminating the deformable crosspie used at the back, but we know other models that accommodate it without these drawbacks.
On the consumption side, the Arkana displays scores very close to those of the Simple Hybrid Captur.It takes a little more than 7 liters on the highway, 6 liters on the road, and of course much lower scores in town, where the magic of the hybrid operates full: the deeper the traffic, the more its appetite drops,with consumption that can go below 4.5 liters per 100 km.The observation is the same as for Captur with the same engine: for family use, the fuel economy is very close to that of a diesel.
Camille Pinet pour ClubicBuy a hybrid renault arkana e-tech
The Arkana is not available in diesel, the hybrid version plays the most sober version role in the range. D’ailleurs, ses émissions de CO2 de 111 g/km apparaissent particulièrement compétitives pour ce qui reste un SUV moyen essence.By way of comparison, a Peugeot 3008 1.2 Puretech 130 EAT8 affiche 144 g/km de CO2.Obviously, this engine is not the cheapest.Nevertheless, the additional cost required remains more moderate: the e-tech 145 hp is sold € 300 more expensive than the TCE 160 EDC version and € 2,500 more than the TCE 140 EDC.The differences between the finishes are greater: it takes € 2,150 between the entry -level Zen version and the intention, and another € 2,750 more to access the high -end R.S.Line.
Camille Pinet pour ClubicThe best compromise seems to be the intention, which does not have wheels and black bodybuilders but calls on silver rims and more conventional chrome doors frames.It already has 9.3 -inch multimedia system, hands input, adaptive cruise control and rear traffic alert.The R.S.Line propose en sus les éléments de présentation déjà cités : la sellerie mixte cuir suédine et l’assistant de parking automatique.In any case, you must add to the pot to benefit from semi-autonomous driving on the highway, and the sunroof.
Anyway, Arkana plays on velvet: in hybrid it has only one direct competitor, the Toyota C-HR offered in 122 hp or 184 hp version.The Japanese, however, appears to be much less practical and cabinous, while offering less advanced technological equipment.Nevertheless, the Japanese manufacturer has seen it coming and breaks the prices of its model with almost € 5,000 promotion these days.
Camille Pinet pour ClubicRenault arkana e-tech hybrid assessment
Even if Renault claims to be the first of the general manufacturers to offer a cut SUV, the Arkana appears as a product perfectly in the trend of the moment and there is little doubt that it will soon be joined by direct competitors (we already knowthat Peugeot works on such a derivative for the future 3008).If we can discuss the usefulness of such a body, which reduces practical aspects, it must be recognized that this new Renault is well done and is effective in this hybrid version.It is not a rupture like space or Twingo in their time, but experience shows that the meaning of Propos is sometimes greater successes.
Camille Pinet pour ClubicRenault Arkana R technical sheet.S.Line E-Tech 145
Renault Arkana technical sheet
Dimensions
Longueur 4,57 mLargeur 1,82 mHauteur 1,58 mEmpattement 2,72 mVolume de coffre 480 litresPoids à vide 1 435 kgNombre de places 5Motorization
Moteur thermique 4 cylindres en ligneCylindrée 1 598 cm3Moteur électrique Un moteur électrique et un générateurPuissance totale cumulée 143 chCouple total cumulé 205 NmPropulsion Aux roues avantDirection Electrique à crémaillèreSuspension avant Pseudo McPherson, ressorts hélicoïdaux, amortisseurs télescopiquesSuspension arrière Traverse déformable, amortisseurs télescopiquesPerformance
0 à 100 km/h 10,8 secondesVitesse maximale 172 km/hCamille Pinet pour ClubicPrice and equipment
RENAULT ARKANA R Prize.S.Line : 36 100 €Bonus écologique : 0 €
Serial equipment
Optional equipment
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