GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Renault Kadjar SUV revealed

Renault has jumped the gun by revealing pictures of its new Kadjar SUV ahead its official launch at the Geneva motor show next month.

Available with either two-wheel or four-wheel drive the Kadjar sits above the small Captur and shares the same platform, engines and transmissions with the current Nissan QASHQAI (thanks to the Renault-Nissan Alliance).

That means not only will the Kadjar be a natural enemy for the QASHQAI, but it will also compete against the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Hyundai ix35.

Renault says it will reveal all at Geneva in March but has confirmed it is bigger in dimensions (4.45 metres long x 1.84 metres wide), and more practical than the Nissan with a decent 427 litres of boot space (42 litres bigger than the QASHQAI). To help practicality, the front passenger seat can be dropped to create a long flat load space and there’s another 30 litres of storage space around the cabin.

Under the skin expect to see the QASHQAI’s 96kW diesel 1.6-litre as well as the option of a smaller, less powerful 1.5-litre. On the petrol side the 106kW 2.0-litre could also make an appearance -- that or an efficient small capacity turbocharged lump.

To help it in the dirt the Kadja has 190mm-worth of ground clearance with approach and departure angles of 18 and 25 degrees respectively. There’s also front and rear skid plates and a stainless steel guard for added protection against the bush.

Aiding traction, two-wheel drive versions come with the option of an Extended Grip function that is said to enhance traction in low grip scenarios. Meanwhiile, the all-wheel drive will have the usual central diff lock that splits torque 50:50 front-to-rear.

New technology to make it to the Kadja includes ‘hands-free’ parking, road sign recognition and full LED headlights that, Renault claims, are 20 per cent brighter than conventional halogen lamps.

It’s still unconfirmed whether or not the Kadja will make it to Australia, where it's under study for the local market. Renault Australia says it is keen to add the new SUV, which would be positioned between the Captur it launches this week and the Koleos (which is due for replacement soon), if it is available in right-hand drive for Australia.