► It’s the new Renault Alaskan
► French firm’s first pick-up
► European version likely
Remember the Renault Alaskan concept car shown in September 2015? Well, here’s the production iteration – the French firm’s first muscular, one-tonne pick-up truck.
It will be available in single-, double- and chassis-cab bodies, with short or long loadbeds and wide or narrow bodies. An Alaskan for all, in other words – regardless of whether you want to lug plasterboard to work or surfboards to the beach.
Everyone’s launching pick-ups!
Indeed they are. The world’s appetite for utility vehicles is increasing and Europe’s car makers are responding in kind. Everyone from Mercedes-Benz to Renault is busy preparing to launch pick-ups.
This segment accounts for 5 million sales globally each year, and is strong across the globe from the Americas to eastern Europe and Asia. A ground clearance of 230mm and a 3.5-tonne towing weight mean the new Alaskan is a proper workhorse, according to Renault.
It’s based on the hardware of sister company Nissan’s Navara. That brings a tough, ladder-frame chassis, the option of two- or four-wheel drive and comfort-biased five-link rear suspension for passenger-friendly double-cab versions. Renault fits its own 2.3-litre dCi diesel engine from the Master van, alongside a larger petrol and diesel option of 2.5 litres.
Great. When can I buy a Renault Alaskan?
The Alaskan goes on sale first in its primary market of South America, with other markets likely to be confirmed in due course.
CAR understands that the UK importer is likely to bring the pick-up to dealers here in due course; British tax laws still favour the genre and the leisure market continues to grow here.
It’s primed for consumer sales in Europe: a choice of alloy wheels is offered, LED day-running lamps are standard and there are niceties such as 360deg surround-vision cameras, seven-inch touchscreen nav and smartphone connectivity.
