Meet the Renault’s New Midsize Pickup- 2017 Renault Alaskan

MANILA: It seems like the roar from the French automaker, Renault is going louder and louder with time. Presented as a concept last year, the one-tonne pickup is finally a reality. Renault has introduced the much-awaited pickup named Alaskan in the flourishing pickup market which was earlier dominated by the big players like Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Ford. It seems that French is now looking to take control with its new release that has been regarded as one of the most robust and comfortable pickups presently prevailing in the market.

It was then time last year when the brand was too unsure that how much time it would take to release it in real flesh. But now it’s out sharing the same platform and styling cues as of the Nissan Navara. It will first go on sale in the South American market followed by other global markets. The new French pickup has a myriad of features that ensure comfort as well as superior ride quality. Plus, it also reminds you of the Navara at its first glance. Despite the similar styling cues, the brand has done every bit of it to draft an exclusive character to the ute taking inspiration from its concept version released last year.

Up front, it flanks the large chrome grille allied to a pair of sleek and modern headlamps, a well-contoured hood and black housing for the fog lamps lower down the bumper, which has been further graced by the chrome outlines. On the side, you’d be amazed to see pronounced wheel arches that house 16 to 18-inch alloys while nothing extraordinary can be witnessed at the rear end. There are just essentials at the back including vertical tail lamps, simple tailgate design and chrome garnished bumper which grant it a pleasing ending.

A surprise awaits as you enter inside the cabin. The interiors have been designed ergonomically keeping in mind the driver’s seating position and comfort. Electronically adjusted driver’s seat with lumbar support and multi-function bulky steering wheel, which looks easy to grip, add further to the comfort quotient. Taking care of the passengers comfort and ease, the brand has granted it with dual-zone climate control with rear adjustable vents for beating the sun. Multi-information display, an in-built infotainment system with a touchscreen that also serves basis for the navigation system, and a 360-degree camera system. A voice recognition system adds further to the list of features that has been integrated to enhance comfort and leisure levels.

On the mechanical front, the brand has introduced it with three different engine options including 2.3-litre diesel, 2.5-litre diesel, and 2.5-litre gasoline. The former among the three is a dCi twin-turbo diesel mill, which is good enough for 160 or 190 PS while the bigger diesel powerplant has been borrowed from Nissan and we can expect it to be rated at 160 or 190 PS. The last gasoline engine is potent to pump out a max power of 160 PS. Transmission options available are the six-speed manual and seven-speed automatic while the ute will come with an option of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive system. Depending on the variant, the features would vary like the top of the line variant would have features like Hill-Descent Control, Anti-lock Braking system, Hill-Start Assist, Brake Assist and Electronic Stability System.

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