French brand Renault says it’s “likely” to bring its first hybrid powertrain Down Under in 2024.
“Renault Australia plans to introduce the facelifted Arkana during 2024 – final launch dates, pricing and specification to be confirmed, but likely three trim levels and choice of petrol or full hybrid engines,” a spokesperson from Renault Australia told CarExpert.
“We will confirm further details in due course.”
The brand debuted the updated 2024 Arkana line-up in Europe yesterday.
European customers will have the choice of either a full hybrid powertrain or two mild-hybrid ones.
The flagship E-Tech Hybrid 145 powertrain features a 1.6-litre four cylinder engine with 69kW of power and 148Nm of torque, mated to what Renault calls a smart multi-mode clutch-less dog box, as well as a 1.2kWh battery pack, and two electric motors that produce 36kW of power and 205Nm of torque.
With the E-Tech powertrain, Renault claims drivers can take advantage of pure-electric power for up to 80 per cent of city driving.
Renault doesn’t quote total system outputs, however it claims a 0-100km/h time of 10.8 seconds.
The mild-hybrid powertrains feature a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and a 0.13kWh battery.
The Mild Hybrid 140 produces 103kW of power and 260Nm of torque, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 9.8 seconds, while the Mild Hybrid 160 has 116kW and 270Nm with a 9.1-second 0-100km/h time.
The current Arkana line-up in Australia features a 1.3-litre four cylinder petrol engine which produces 115kW of power and 262Nm of torque.
While Renault offers a range of hybrid models in Europe including the Austral, Clio, and Captur, the latter also available as a plug-in hybrid, it has yet to introduce any here.
The company has, however, offered an electric vehicle here in the Kangoo Z.E. van and Zoe hatch. The Megane E-Tech Electric, which debuted in 2021, is expected in Australia later this year, while we’re also in line to receive the new Kangoo E-Tech and an electric version of the full-sized Master van.
To the end of June, Renault has sold 703 examples of its Arkana, behind the Toyota C-HR (2538) and Mitsubishi ASX (4207). The MG ZS remains the small SUV segment leader with 13,579 sales for the first half of 2023.
The Arkana is produced in Korea, where it’s sold as the XM3.
