The Renault Arkana receives a new 160 hp petrol engine. This version, the most powerful in the range, improves the driveability of the SUV coupe. But is it really justified in the face of the hybrid E-Tech version?
Test car: Renault Arkana 1.3 TCe 160 Intens EDC
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From€ 33,450
no bonus |
By dint of reducing their supply of heat engines, French manufacturers are creating ranges that are hardly surprising. In this respect, the Arkana catalog is particularly telling: initially limited to two proposals, the hybrid 145 and the TCe 140, it has certainly just received a third … but which only offers 20 hp. more than the “small” 140 hp. Like it, this new engine offers a light hybridization, even very light since it is satisfied with the 12 V network.
Compared to the E-Tech hybrid, the gap is reduced to just 15 hp. Nevertheless, the 1.3 TCe 160 tows 88 kilos less, which allows it to justify on paper in the snatch its status as a sportsman in the range. We chose to try it in its Intens finish. A livery much less showy than the RS Line, whose false carbon covers and red belts can make aesthetes wince.
Renault Arkana TCe 160 price
Priced at € 33,450, the Arkana TCe 160 EDC Intens fits in a pocket square with the other versions. Count € 300 more for the E-Tech hybrid and € 1,200 less for the 140 hp TCe. From 2022, the difference with the hybrid will be almost zero since it will be necessary to pay € 200 ecological penalty. The 160 hp engine is only offered with the EDC double-clutch gearbox, as with other engines, and it is only available as an Intens or RS Line equipment. The price differential between the two finishes is substantial: € 2,750. In terms of pure services, no hesitation, the less expensive appears to be the most advantageous.
The Arkana Intens offers hands-free card, reversing camera, automatic air conditioning or the adaptive regulator. With the exception of the induction charger, blind spot warning and automatic parking, most of what the RS Line in addition concerns aesthetics. And for those who do not find this generous endowment sufficient, the options catalog provides access to the motorway driving assistant (€ 600) or to the very practical 360 ° camera.
Driving
At first glance, the handling of the Arkana TCe 160 hp does not conceal any major differences compared to that of the TCe 140 that we had previously tested. Nevertheless, we notice a significant change in the management of the transmission compared to other Renault that are equipped. For the first time, the EDC is progressive at very low speed and in maneuver. It no longer engages abruptly at the slightest pressure on the accelerator and allows a little more skating. A small detail that is important on a daily basis when taking the car out of the garage.
The presence of the 12 V hybridization is perfectly transparent for the driver, until the moment to ease the foot above 30 km / h. A freewheel function intervenes, but it does not cut off the engine, the latter remaining stuck at its idle speed. A driving mode indicated by a small indicator light on the dashboard. On fast track at 110 km / h, the process bears fruit since we noted on the on-board computer a particularly reasonable consumption of 5.1 l / 100 km when we anticipate decelerations.
However, it is indeed a turbo engine capable of large appetite variations: in the most congested traffic jams, we have pointed to the high figure of 12 l / 100 km and up to 8 l / 100 km on the road. taking advantage of accelerations. These consumptions make it possible to take a position on the choice of engine. For the user who drives a lot in town or in the suburbs, the Arkana E-Tech Hybrid is undoubtedly a better choice. For the others, the approval of the TCe 160 ch wins.
It indeed offers a certain dynamism, not to mention sportiness. With 9.1 s established at 0 to 100 km / h, it gained 0.7 s compared to the TCe 140 hp. A noticeable difference at the wheel, but perhaps not sufficient to justify the tariff difference. The chassis has in any case no trouble with taking the extra power and always shows high quality of behavior, including on cold and slippery winter roads. The Arkana is undoubtedly one of the most gifted SUVs of its kind, even if this comes at the cost of some low-speed trepidation, especially at the rear. Once the 50 km / h exceeded, the level of comfort appears however very satisfactory.
In the cockpit
Competetion
Unclassifiable at its launch, the Arkana will gradually learn to live with competition. Admittedly, for the moment, the model closest to him is the Citroën C4 PureTech 155 Shine Pack invoiced, thus hold, 32 155 €, that is to say a few euros less. Even if it claims the status of a sedan, the Citroën adopts a semi-high posture of a four-door coupe similar to that of the Renault and, like it, uses a B-segment platform. Shorter by 20 cm, it does not however offer the same habitability.
Renault’s most direct competitors are to come: the future Peugeot 4008 and Opel Astra Country Tourer. Finally, the new Volkswagen Taigo 1.5 TSI 150 hp is a little too short to compete with the French directly, but we know the German manufacturer’s ability to offer a good space-space ratio… and an above-average price.
Find the results of the Renault Arkana test, the technical sheet and the equipment on the following page.
