New Renault Arkana 2021 confirmed: Coupe-style SUV to replace Kadjar and rival Volkswagen T-Roc

Renault Australia has confirmed it will axe the recently launched Kadjar small SUV, with it to be replaced by the coupe-style Arkana in the second half of next year.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, Renault Australia senior product manager Charly Clercin revealed the Kadjar will make way for the “segment-breaking” Arkana, which is claimed to combine the comfort of an SUV with the driving dynamics of a sedan.

“This model has just launched in South Korea, where it will be built for us, and has enjoyed great reviews and outstanding sales success,” he said. “For us, it will replace Kadjar, which as you know, arrived here late in its life cycle.

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“Kadjar has been a success in building a presence for Renault in the segment, but we’ve chosen to go with Arkana as the small SUV in our line-up. It offers an exciting new design and allows us to take advantage of the Busan facility in South Korea, which gives us shorter lead times … and a free-trade agreement.

“This product has all of the elements to be a big success in Australia.”

The Arkana (above) will effectively take over from the Kadjar in Australia in the second half of next year.

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2021 Renault Arkana

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2021 Renault Arkana

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Initially launched for the Russian market in August 2018, the Arkana went on sale in South Korea in April (badged as the Renault-Samsung XM3) as part of its global rollout, which will now include Australia.

Locally, the Arkana will compete with the Volkswagen T-Roc, among others, and its pricing and specification will be released next year, ahead of its showroom arrival.

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That said, the South Korean model does provide a preview of what Australian buyers will be able to get behind the wheel of, with it headlined by LED lights, a 9.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system, a 10.0-inch digital instrument cluster and 513L of cargo capacity.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, park assist and surround-view cameras, among others.

Two four-cylinder petrol engine options are available in South Korea, with the 90kW/155Nm 1.6-litre naturally aspirated and 112kW/255Nm 1.3-litre turbocharged units mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic respectively.

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Renault Australia axes Clio, Zoe hatchbacks as new Captur nears 2021 launch as part of SUV focus

In the meantime, the Kadjar will remain in Renault Australia showrooms, with it priced between $29,990 and $37,990 plus on-road costs.

As reported in detail in a link above, Renault Australia has also made the decision to discontinue the Clio and Zoe light hatchbacks as part of its model line-up overhaul.