Renault Alaskan Australian launch 'a very high level probability' - Report

16/05/2016 - 11:41 Renault Alaskan, Renault Shrawan Raja

Will be based on the Nissan Navara.

Renault Australia may have already decided to bring in the Renault Alaskan, which the brand has confirmed will be globally launched in 2016, as its regional boss rates the pickup segment as "a key segment in Australia and one we want to break into".

Renault Alaskan pick-up truck front three quarter unveiled — The Alaskan is a remake of the Nissan Navara that will thrust Renault into the race for the global pickup market.

The Alaskan concept, a restyled Nissan Navara, was presented late last year, previewing a one tonne "work hard, play hard all-road vehicle designed to meet the requirements of three different worlds: business and leisure use, plus everyday motoring."

Speaking to CarAdvice Australia, Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar said -

We know the credibility of its underpinnings gives us the capability of it being a genuine workhorse like a Navara or any other competitor, but our alliance partner has good credibility there and they do it well. A little bit of that space where Amarok has played in, we could go to.

Hocever asked CarAdvice not to expect an immediate launch after the global unveiling, but Australia won't be very far from the priority markets as over 130,000 4x4 pickups were sold in the continent in 2015.

The design of the Renault Alaskan borrows cues from the Renault Talisman and Renault Kadjar, featuring a V-shaped grille, sleek headlamps with C-shaped LED DRLs, and a simple lower fascia. An alleged leak of the production model that came up last year showed Renault retaining most of the concept's features.

Renault Alaskan pick-up truck top view unveiled — Renault Australia's MD says that the region may not be one of the "early markets" for the 1-ton pickup.

The Renault Alaskan, as with Mercedes' first pickup, will borrow the chassis and some body parts from the Nissan Navara. Under the hood, the Alaskan could employ Energy dCi 165 and Energy dCi 190 four-cylinder, longitudinally-mounted twin-turbodiesel engines from the Renault Master LCV range.

Also See: 2016 Renault Koleos unveiled at Auto China

This isn't Renault's first-ever pick up truck though. That distinction goes to the Renault Duster Oroch, which is exclusive to Latin America. The Renault Alaskan however will target markets across the globe, and rival the Mitsubishi L200/Triton, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max and the Ford Ranger.

[Source - CarAdvice.com.au]