Two new Renault utes firm for Oz

Renault Australia is closer to confirming a dual-ute strategy involving not one but two all-new dual-cab pick-up models Down Under.

The French brand this week announced the mid-size Kadjar will next year join the smaller Captur and larger Koleos in its growing SUV range in Australia, where it hopes to add the all-new Arkana coupe-crossover within two years.

At the same time, it revealed the Megane -- one of its two remaining mainstream passenger models, excluding the ZOE EV – will become an RS-only model line in Australia, where SUVs are now more popular than cars.

Now Renault Australia says that in addition to the company’s three commercial vans – Kangoo, Trafic and Master – it is planning to launch both the full-size Alaskan and smaller Oroch utes as soon as possible.

Renault’s dual dual-cab strategy would see the Nissan NP300 Navara-based Alaskan 4x4 compete at the top-end of Australia’s lucrative premium ute market against the likes of the Toyota HiLux SR5, Ford Ranger XLT/Wildtrak and Volkswagen Amarok V6.

Meantime, the smaller Renault Oroch – a mid-size twin-cab based on a car-style monocoque platform -- would effectively create a new ute sub-segment by appealing to ‘lifestyle’ customers who don’t need heavy-duty towing or off-road capability.

The only catch is the Alaskan is still yet to be officially locked in for Australia, where it would join the Master Cab Chassis on sale, and the Oroch is not yet confirmed for right-hand drive production.

But Renault Australia managing director Andrew Moore this week made it clear to motoring.com.au that progress has been made on both fronts.

“We have been making strong headways in our ambition to launch two lifestyle based pick-ups in Australia – the Renault Alaskan and Renault Oroch,” said Moore at the new Megane RS launch.

“Increasingly we are seeing customers move into the pick-up segment as a lifestyle choice and we firmly believe that the exceptional European styling of our product offering mixed with strong SUV underpinnings make these Renault vehicles a compelling alternative for customers.

“We want a dual [ute] strategy and we’re pushing hard for that,” he said.

Moore said the Renault Alaskan would offer better value than top-shelf HiLux and Ranger models. XLT and Wildtrak versions priced over $55,000 comprise the vast majority of Ranger sales.

“Alaskan will be towards the premium end of the market, but I think we’ll be able to provide a better value proposition than, say, the Ford Ranger and the HiLux at the top-end, which is where a lot of the market is,” he said.

The local Renault chief said the Alaskan, which is powered by the same twin-turbo 2.3-litre diesel as the Navara, would be offered here with a full range of accessories like its competitors.

“I think a great proportion of the larger dual-cab pick-up market is people that want all the spec and image and style, and there are some brands doing that really well,” he said.

“I believe Alaskan with its European styling is going to be at the forefront of that space. People want sports bars, wheel-arch fenders and the like, so we want to make sure our strategy with Alaskan includes all those things.”

Moore wouldn’t say exactly why the Alaskan, which was first revealed as a concept in 2015 and in production form in 2016, is taking so long to come Down Under.

“Like any new product development like that there’s a number of steps we go through,” he said.

“We’ve had a lot of positive progress. I can’t confirm it at this point, but we’re significantly progressed from where we were, so I’m quite confident.”

We understand Renault had planned to produce the Alaskan alongside the Navara in Thailand, but that plan has been scrapped along with Renault Australia’s original business case.

The move has forced Renault Australia to source the Alaskan from Spain (it’s also built in South America, but not in RHD), increasing shipping and import costs – but also broadening the choice of variants – and delaying its local launch until the second half of 2019.

The Alaskan’s more premium market positioning has also opened the door for a cheaper dual-cab ute positioned beneath it, hence Renault Australia’s enthusiasm for the Oroch.

“We think there’s a good opportunity in the marketplace for a slightly smaller, good value dual-cab,” said Moore.

“Our research shows many people want a tray but not the size or the price of a traditional dual-cab. It’s for people who aspire to a dual-cab but for them it’s too big and too expensive.

“Oroch sits below Alaskan and will appeal to people who may not need the same towing capacity. It brings many of the same benefits provided you don’t need the heavy-duty towing.

“My thinking is it’s positioning is a little bit away from the larger dual-cabs as an alternative to them. When I proposed it internally we found there are actually no competitors, so Renault HQ was quite interested in that possible gap.”

Based on the Renault/Dacia Duster SUV, the South American-built Oroch was first released in Europe in 2015. It measures 4.7 metres long and has a 650kg payload, extendable tray and multi-link rear suspension.

The Oroch powered by a 106kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine matched to manual and automatic transmissions driving only the front wheels, and is claimed to hit 100km/h in 10.3 seconds.

Moore said the Renault Oroch could fulfill similar customer requirements to car-based Holden and Ford utes no longer made or sold in Australia.

“I haven’t seen the confirmed figures but the towing and payload capacity is comparable to the old Falcon and Commodore utes. And there were plenty of tradies running around in them back in the day.”

Other car-based utes now unavailable include the Subaru Brumby, Proton Jumbuck and Suzuki Mighty Boy.

Hyundai has ruled out a local release for North America’s new Tucson-based Santa Cruz dual-cab and instead continues to await a rugged, ladder-frame 4x4 ute to compete directly with HiLux, Ranger etc.

In contrast, Renault Australia’s boss, who has driven the Oroch in Paris, said the compact ute’s unibody construction brings a number of advantages.

“With the monocoque chassis you can really throw it around like a car and the performance and space are impressive,” he said.

“The rear tray is quite deep – because it’s not on a ladder chassis it doesn’t sit above the frame but within it. It’s not as long but it’s quite deep.”

Moore said if the Oroch gets the green-light for Australia it wouldn’t arrive in local showrooms until after 2020.

“Safety standards in Australia are very high so we need all the equipment and five stars, so that’s what we’re working towards.

“Oroch needs to be developed in right-hand drive. That’s not confirmed at this point, but if it happens it will be further out, so a couple of years away.”