What's the news?
Renault has shown us a tightly cropped photo of its new crossover, the Arkana. With a name taken from the Latin 'Arcanum', or secret, it's a mid-size SUV destined initially for the Russian market, and will be shown in full next week at the Moscow motor show.
What is it? Well, we're not 100 per cent sure yet, but we know that Renault already sells a Russia-specific version of the Captur, called the Kaptur, which is slightly larger than the one we get. It looks as if the Arkana could be based on the same platform, but be a slightly more swept-back, coupe-ish version aimed at those who want a crossover with a little more style.
All we can say definitively so far is that it borrows the rear light arrangement from the Megane, where the lenses continue into a narrow line that runs across the boot, and which is chopped in half by the Renault diamond logo.
Renault says that "The name Arkana underlines the uniqueness of the future crossover and its incredible magnetism. The concept of Arkana is associated with mystery, attractiveness and pioneer spirit."
What does that mean? Danged if we know, but Renault has said that while the Arkana will be launched in Russia first, it will eventually be released in other markets too, and while sales in Western Europe, the UK, and Ireland haven't been mentioned specifically, they haven't been ruled out either, so there is that.
Mind you, it could just be a car for Russia only. The Russian market is currently huge for Renault, and it sold more than 400,000 cars there last year (not to mention owning a majority stake in good old Lada itself). Don't hold your breath waiting for the Arkana to come here, though. To be honest, it's not very likely.