The 2017 Renault Alaskan has been revealed overnight in Colombia where it will go on-sale first before rolling out into other markets around the world.
BASED ON a Nissan NP300 Navara, the 2017 Renault Alaskan has been revealed overnight in Colombia where it will go on-sale later this year. The Alaskan is expected to arrive in Australia in the first half of next year.
Renault showed an Alaskan concept car late last year which looked great and, thankfully the production version uses 95% of that concept’s body panels. The grille also shows off Renault’s new-look snout. That said, there are still hints of the NP300 Navara in the body.
And that continues on the inside, where just about everything is the same in the Renault as it is in the Nissan. Only the steering wheel hub and some switchgear are different. It’s a shame Renault didn’t take a closer look at the front seats, which this writer finds a little uncomfortable and unsupportive in the Navara.
Renault said backseat passengers would be treated to passenger-car like knee room with 589mm while the seat back is reclined at 23-degrees. Ground clearance is a claimed 230mm, it’ll tow up to 3500kg, features a 12V outlet in the tray, a tub liner with C-channels and four quick-fit hooks for securing loads.
Globally there will be three engines available of the Alaskan and these are a 2.3-litre turbo-diesel that also sees service in the Renault Master, and makes 120kW or 140kW depending on the model variant. A 2.5-litre petrol produces 120kW and a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel offers 120kW and 140kW depending on the variant. These are mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission, and will be available in two-wheel or four-wheel drive.
Like the Navara, the Alaskan features a a rear locking differential, the usual aids such as traction control as well as hill start assist and hill descent control.
Ashwani Gupta, VP, Global Head of Light Commercial Vehicles Business at Renault said: “This stunning pick-up will fulfil the needs of professional users and individual customers across the world. With Alaskan, we are on track to take Renault’s LCV range forward from being a top regional player to a top global player.”
While Renault only revealed a dual-cab variant of the Alaskan last night, the company said it will offer a “comprehensive list of available body types extends from single cab to double cab and chassis cab versions, with a short or long bed, and with wide and narrow bodies”. In addition, the company said it would also offer a range of aftermarket accessories to further customise the vehicle.
