Renault Kardian, a failed crossover for Russia: interior declassified

Like the outside, the inside of the new SUV is not an exact copy of the original Sandero. A full presentation of the five-door will be held in a couple of weeks.

The Renault brand continues to stir up interest in its “B-segment urban SUV”, named Kardian: the first corporate image of the interior has been published. Let us remind you that the French are positioning the converted third-generation “off-road” Sandero Stepway hatchback, which is built on the CMF-B platform, as a separate model. But if the original cross-hatch, along with the usual five-door, is sold in Europe under the Dacia brand, then the Renault Kardian is now addressed to Latin America, its production will be carried out by a Brazilian plant. “Now” — because before the start of the well-known events, the assembly of the Renault SUV was planned to be established at AVTOVAZ, although it is not a fact that in our country it would no longer be the Sandero Stepway.

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Inside, Renault Kardian imitates its brother from Dacia: there is a similar architecture of the front panel with a “floating” 8-inch multimedia system tablet, the same round washers with small screens (they are responsible for controlling the “climate”). But the panel itself is different. In addition, the Kardian has its own steering wheel, the central tunnel has also been redesigned, in addition, the Renault five-door has a compact joystick box, and the door panels may have LED lighting.

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As for the appearance, the SUV differs from the Dacia Sandero Stepway in the design of the front and rear. Kardian received two-tier head optics (diode running lights are located on top, the main headlight units are located below), another radiator grille and bumpers, as well as C-shaped rear lights. They also replaced the hood and doors. It is known that the length of the new cross is “less than 4.15 meters” (the current Dacia Sandero Stepway is 4088 mm).

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There is still not a word about technology in the release. In Brazil, which will become the debut market for the model, the cross is tipped to have a 1.0 TCe turbocharged engine, as well as a 1.6 SCe four-cylinder engine: traditionally for this country, the engines will be “powered” by both gasoline and ethanol. The drive is exclusively front-wheel drive.

The world premiere of the new Renault Kardian SUV will take place in Rio de Janeiro on October 25. And along with it, the brand will also show a certain concept, details about which are not yet available.