Renault Arkana 2019 revealed: Australian launch on the cards

Renault has at last peeled back the covers on its "global" SUV, unveiling its all-new Arkana at the Moscow Motor Show.

The coupe-styled C-segment crossover has been designed to strike a “balance between the elegance of a saloon and the sturdiness of an SUV”, and, at first glance at least, it appears as though Renault has gotten that balance pretty right.

The Arkana, which will be launched in Russia in 2019 before expanding to other markets, rides on 19-inch alloys in show-car guise, which are stuffed inside aggressively flared wheel arches.

At the rear, twin exhaust pipes are mounted below a new-look boot area, with an unbroken LED strip that runs the width of the rear.

Bulging bonnet lines and a sweeping DRLs form a pretty sporing picture from the front, while at the rear, twin exhaust pipes are mounted below a new-look boot area, with an unbroken LED strip that runs the width of the rear.

While full specification details are yet to be confirmed, Renault is also promising high enough ground clearance to ensure the Arkana can face “harsh driving and tough weather conditions”, and all-wheel drive (at least on top-spec cars) is a given, with the French brand talking up the car's all-terrain capabilities.

Renault is also promising high enough ground clearance to ensure the Arkana can face

“The Arkana show car is a distinctive coupé-crossover, striking balance between the elegance of a saloonn and the powerful stance of an SUV. We have dialed in specific Renault cues, with a strong design, strength and sensuality with a French touch,” says Renault's senior vice president of corporate design, Laurens Van den Acker.

While an Australian launch is yet to be confirmed, Renault executives here have made no secret of the role that SUVs will play in their growth strategy - including a push to introduce the Kadjar to sit between the Captur and larger Koleos - and so the Arkana is high on their wish list.

Bulging bonnet lines and a sweeping DRLs form a pretty sporing picture from the front.

“Australia has a strong SUV market and we believe there is opportunity to increase Renault’s SUV presence in the future. We are reviewing this new crossover and we are currently discussing it with the factory," says Renault Australia managing director, Andrew Moore.

What do you make of the Arkana's design? Tell us in the comments below.