New urban SUV’s interior features a high console, an e-shifter, an eight-inch multimedia screen and an ambient lighting strip running along a door panel.
13 Oct 2023 | 4678 Views | By Ajit Dalvi & Autocar Pro News Desk
Renault has released another teaser for the all-new Kardian urban SUV which will mark the start of the French carmaker’s new product offensive outside Europe.
It was on August 29 that the company had announced the name for its newest product. Other than the name, Renault had released ...
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Renault has released another teaser for the all-new Kardian urban SUV which will mark the start of the French carmaker’s new product offensive outside Europe.
It was on August 29 that the company had announced the name for its newest product. Other than the name, Renault had released no other details about the new model albeit a teaser video offers a glimpse into the new SUV’s tail-light, hatch and spoiler.
Exactly a month later, it released a few exterior visuals. The Kardian’s front face is the first to feature Renault’s new style outside Europe. Including its high ground clearance and its roof bars, the urban SUV, which is less than 4.15 metres long, is expected to be completely at home in cities.
The Kardian, which is planned to reinforce Renault’s global footprint, will first be introduced in the Latin American market, following on from the Alaskan and the Oroch, before going on sale in other countries across the world.
THE INSIDE STORY
Clicked inside the vehicle, the interior photo of the Kardian reveals a cabin with a focus on quality and technology, illustrated by the presence of an eight-inch multimedia screen.
It also shows a high console, a steering wheel with the Nouvel’R logo, as well as an ambient lighting strip running along one of the front door panels to enhance driver and passenger well-being. The Multi-Sense system allows the driver to choose between different ambient lightings and driving modes to match their mood.
Another technological asset is that the Kardian is equipped with an ‘e-shifter’, which enables gear shifting with a simple push.
During the official global unveil of the Kardian in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 25 October 2023, Renault will also present its international game plan 2027, as well as a new concept car.
Kardian part of Renaulution growth strategy
In January 2021, the Renault Group had unveiled a major new strategic plan, the ‘Renaulution’, designed to spark the firm's recovery and future growth. It includes 24 new vehicles by 2025 including a major expansion in Renault’s electric vehicle range, a widening of budget brand Dacia’s line-up and the reinvention of Alpine as a fully electric performance brand.
Renaulution builds on the group’s ongoing recovery and growth plan and will feature three phases. The ‘resurrection’ phase will run until 2023 and focus on increasing the firm’s margins and cash generation while the ‘renovation’ phase, which runs until 2025, will include a focus on renewing the line-ups of the group’s key brands, in order to boost profitability.
Once those goals are achieved, the ‘revolution’ phase will run from 2025 onwards and switch the firm’s business model to a focus on “tech, energy and mobility”, with an emphasis on electrification and new mobility schemes.
The Renault Group says that, under the new plan, it will shift its focus from maximising its market share and sales to profitability, the ability to generate revenue and its investment effectiveness, with the goal of reducing investments in research and capital expenditure and boosting its operating margin by 2025.
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