While Renault Australia staffers were busy during the launch of the Megane sedan and wagon, the press were curious to know if the near future would see the introduction of a Renault pickup in local showrooms.
The Alaskan was teased earlier last year before receiving a full debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show and is currently confirmed for sale in certain European and South American countries. Based on the second-generation Navara from sister company Nissan, the Renault ute is powered by the Alliance’s 2.3-litre four-cylinder twin-turbodiesel unit that offers up either 119- or 142kW, mated to a a seven-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. Certain markets will also get a 2.5-litre turbodiesel and/or a petrol of similar displacement.
Australia is a potentially very lucrative market for Renault should the Alaskan prove to be a sales success, though orchestrating that will mean having to contend with tough competition from a very mature market of seasoned rivals such as the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Holden Colorado, and of course the Navara, it’s Nissan-badged cousin.
At the event, Renault Australia’s managing director Justin Hocevar could not disclose a firm timetable for the Alaskan’s local debut despite rumours of a looming launch. It’s understandable that the possible cannibalisation of sales that would have otherwise gone to the Navara is the cause for hesitation as both pickups will be occupying the same territory in the market.
By contrast, the other Navara-based pickup, the soon-to-be-revealed Mercedes-Benz X-Class, is expected to have a starting price well clear of the more mainstream offerings and instead pose more of a threat to the Volkswagen Amarok.
However, to prevent this overlapping, Renault will likely position the Alaskan slightly above the Navara from the get-go, perhaps only as a high-spec lifestyle model intended as a competitor to the Ranger Wildtrak and HiLux SR5. That is, should it ever make landfall.
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