The Renault Kardian Is A Stylish Baby SUV That Even The French Can’t Buy

Most vehicles, from the common-or-garden Mini to the humble-bragging, supercar-slaying Porsche 911 Turbo, are bought in just about the very same type all over the world. However some automakers tailor their autos to the area the place they’re being bought. And in ‘worldwide’ markets, ie. not Europe or North America, and customarily funds acutely aware, that may imply prospects getting some second-rate rides.

However the brand new Renault Kardian appears cool sufficient to chop it with the very best on European highways, although you’ll by no means see it there. The subcompact, B-segment SUV is being launched first in South America earlier than being rolled out to different worldwide markets and is the primary Renault automobile to be constructed round a brand new modular platform that can be utilized on every thing from little SUVs to massive pickup vehicles.

At 4,119 mm (162 inches) lengthy and using on a 2,604 mm (102.5 inches) wheelbase, the Kardian is barely smaller than Europe’s Captur however has an analogous waistline and break up C-pillar therapy. The place the design actually differs is across the nostril: the Captur has typical headlights with claw-shaped DRLs wrapping round them, whereas the Kardian has a break up headlamp association and a much bigger, squarer grille opening that provides the SUV a extra macho look. The Kardian additionally guarantees to be extra sensible due to its massive roof rails that may carry 80 kg (176 lbs) masses and may even be unbolted and re-attached throughout the automotive.

Associated: Renault Kardian Exhibits Its Dacia-Like Cabin

Regardless of what the powerful stance and skid plates counsel, the Kardian solely delivers energy to the entrance wheels. That energy comes from a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine hooked as much as a dual-clutch transmission and producing 123 hp (125 PS) and 162 lb-ft (220 Nm) of torque. Hybrid tech? Not right here; the much less developed markets don’t demand it and that helps preserve the fee down.

The DCT and its stubby Porsche-like shifter will assist the Kardian stand out within the South American market, and the inside – which strongly resembles the Dacia Sandero’s – ought to actually go down properly due to its 8-inch infotainment system, wi-fi Apple CarPlay performance, and separate digital instrument pack. It’s large on security, too, being the one automotive of its form to supply blind-spot monitoring and a multi-view digicam system, Renault says. Adaptive cruise management, auto emergency braking, and hill-start help are additionally a part of the bundle.

Renault will kick off manufacturing first at its Curitiba plant in Brazil, earlier than increasing the operation to absorb the Casablanca plant in Morocco. Which is barely an hour’s hop on a airplane from France, however irrespective of how a lot you pester your French Renault seller to get you one, the reply will stay a agency ‘Non!’