Renault Arkana
| File:Renault 2021.svg Logo used since 2021 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | February 25, 1899 in France |
| Founder | Louis Renault, Marcel Renault, Fernand Renault |
| Headquarters | Boulogne-Billancourt , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Luca de Meo (CEO) |
| Products | Automobiles, commercial vehicles |
Number of employees | 170,000 (2023) |
| Website | www |
The Renault Arkana is a compact crossover SUV classified within the C-segment, characterized by its slanted rear roofline and manufactured by the French automaker Renault. It was first introduced in Russia in May 2019, built upon the older Dacia/Renault Duster B0 platform. A distinct variant debuted in South Korea in February 2020, utilizing the more sophisticated CMF-B platform. This CMF-B-based model was subsequently launched across major European markets in September 2020 and was sold in South Korea under the name Renault Samsung XM3 from 2020 to 2022, later rebranded as Renault XM3 from 2022 until 2024.
The term "Arkana" is derived from the Latin word arcanum, which translates to secret.
Concept car
The XM3 Inspire, a concept vehicle inspired by the Arkana, was revealed by Renault’s subsidiary Renault Samsung Motors at the 2019 Seoul Motor Show. This show car showcased a redesigned front grille, a refreshed colour palette, and modified body panels.
B0+ (LJC; 2019)
Introduced in Russia in May 2019, the Arkana is produced by Renault Russia at its Moscow facility. It was initially presented as a near-production prototype at the 2018 Moscow International Automobile Salon, featuring distinctive coupe-like aesthetics. Constructed on the Renault B0+ platform—a significantly updated iteration of the Nissan B0 platform shared with vehicles such as the Renault Kaptur and Dacia Duster—the Russian Arkana aims to combine stylish design with functional crossover attributes.
Engine choices include a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol unit paired with a Jatco CVT8 transmission, alongside options for 5- and 6-speed manual gearboxes. The model is available in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations to meet varying consumer preferences. Additionally, production extended to facilities in Ukraine (Zaporizhia) and Kazakhstan (Kostanay) from 2020 through 2022, aligning with Renault’s regional manufacturing approach.
Kazakhstan
Assembly commenced in Kazakhstan in 2021 at the SaryarkaAvtoProm plant located in Kostanay, through a collaboration between Renault and the Allur Group. Manufacturing of LJC models ceased in 2022 following international sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine
In September 2020, Renault declared intentions to begin Arkana assembly operations within Ukraine.
CMF-B (LJL; 2020)
The version launched in South Korea as the Renault Samsung XM3 employs the CMF-B modular platform, differing from the Russian Arkana’s B0 platform foundation. The XM3 is configured with front-wheel drive and shares relations with the second-generation Renault Captur. Engine selections include a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol paired with a 7-speed EDC transmission or a 1.6-litre petrol paired with a Jatco CVT7 gearbox.
In September 2020, this South Korean-produced XM3 was rebranded and introduced into Renault markets outside the CIS region as the Renault Arkana. In countries of the former Yugoslavia, it is sold under the name Renault Mégane Conquest due to unfavorable connotations linked to its original designation.
The European-market Arkana is equipped with a mild hybrid 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine combined with a 7-speed EDC transmission.
The Renault Arkana made its entry into the Australian market in August 2021.
Facelift
In July 2023, the Renault Arkana underwent a redesign that introduced a redesigned front grille along with an updated emblem. This upgraded version was made available in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets starting from 2 September 2024.
Production
| Year | Total units produced |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 37,554 |
| 2021 | 76,080 |
| 2022 | 118,488 |
Sales
| Year | Russia | Kazakhstan | Europe[lower-roman 1] | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 11,311 | 213 | ||
| 2020 | 16,814 | 379 | ||
| 2021 | 18,246 | 126 | 40,847 | 299 |
| 2022 | 268 | 80,643 | 308 |
- ↑ Europe: 2020 EU 27 plus UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland
External links
- Official website (Australia)
- Official website (UK)
- Official website (Korea)
- Official website (Korea, Renault Arkana E-Tech Hybrid)
- Articles with short description
- Pages with broken file links
- Renault vehicles
- Cars introduced in 2019
- 2020s cars
- Compact crossover sport utility vehicles
- Front-wheel-drive vehicles
- All-wheel-drive vehicles
- Hybrid electric cars
- Plug-in hybrid vehicles
- Partial zero-emissions vehicles
- Vehicles with CVT transmission
- Cars of Russia
- Cars of South Korea