2023 Renault Arkana: New features announced, Australian timing unclear

The stylish slick-backed 2023 Renault Arkana has received a range revision in the United Kingdom, rationalising the variants and introducing a new range-topping E-Tech engineered level of trim.

The Renault Arkana range for 2023 comprises Evolution, Techno, R.S. Line and E-Tech engineered versions, each bearing their own distinct flavour.

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The entry-level Evolution comes with: 17-inch Bahamas alloy wheels, full LED headlights and rear lights, dark grey skid plate, 7.0-inch driver display and a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Also standard are auto headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors and camera and a safety suite that includes; autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning with lane-keep assist, hill-start assist and cruise control.

The mid-range Techno adds: a wireless phone charger, 10.0-inch driver display, 9.3-inch central infotainment, 18-inch Pasadena diamond cut alloy wheels, ambient lighting, auto high beam, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.

The sporty Arkana R.S. Line, which arrived in Australia this year, gains a unique front bumper, chrome exhaust, R.S. Line badging, suede upholstery, heated seats and steering wheel.

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The new range-topping E-Tech engineered is most easily distinguished by its gold trim detailing on the front bumper, rear skid plate and wheels. Inside, buyers gain leather and suede upholstery with gold stitching, hands-free parking and adaptive cruise control.

As for whether the Australian market Renault Arkana will receive the same range updates remains to be seen. Whichcar has approached Renault’s local arm for comment and we will update this story once we have more information at hand.

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Renault’s UK arm has also announced that the new E-Tech engineered trim line will also be carried over to flagship hybrid versions of the Captur small SUV and Clio small hatchback. The popular Clio was withdrawn from the Australian market ahead of the fifth-generation in 2020, as buyer behaviour trended heavily towards SUVs.

As for the hybridised Renault Captur, Renault Australia had initially vocalised interest in the electrified small SUV in 2018, but confirmed that it would not be offered locally at the end of 2020, shortly before the regular Renault Captur was launched.

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