RENAULT ARKANA

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AUDI Q3 SPORTBACK

The elegantly styled Arkana and the bold Q3 Sportback

Let’s first compare the new Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine and the Audi Q3 Sportback in terms of design.

The Arkana features a sleek coupe-SUV form. The roofline flows gently to the rear, creating a sporty silhouette, and brand badges of Alpine, Renault’s new sports brand, are placed on various parts to create a special feel. Combined with the curved LED taillights, the Arkana has a strong French car vibe.

On the other hand, the Q3 Sportback maintains the straight lines typical of Audi SUVs while incorporating the unique silhouette of a sportback. Combined with the octagonal single frame grille and sharply designed matrix LED headlights, the Q3 Sportback is more rugged.

The roofline is a little steeper than the Arkana, but this means there is more headroom in the rear seats and in the luggage compartment, and yet it still has a special feel that is different from the Q3 hatchback model.

The interior design of the Arkana is also symmetrical between the curved lines and the straight lines of the Q3 Sportback. The Arkana’s interior design is conservative, but various parts are decorated with blue accents, and the seats feature blue stitching and Alpine logos to enhance the driver’s mood.

The Q3 Sportback, on the other hand, has a unique design that looks as if it was carved from solid metal, creating a sense of robustness and sportiness. The interior and exterior of both cars seem to strongly reflect the national character of their respective manufacturers.

Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine E-Tech Full Hybrid

Body size = Length 4570mm x Width 1820mm x Height 1580mm

Wheelbase = 2720mm

Vehicle weight = 1470kg

Tire size = 225/45R19

Audi Q3 Sportback 35TFSI S line

Body size = Total length 4520mm x Total width 1840mm x Total height 1565mm

Wheelbase = 2680mm

Vehicle weight = 1550kg

Tire size = 235/50R19

Renault’s “E-THCH” applies F-1 technology to improve fuel efficiency

Although the two cars have similar engine displacement, their approaches to driving and fuel economy are very different. The Q3 Sportback is superior in absolute power performance, while the Arkana excels in fuel economy.

The Q3 Sportback 35TFSI combines a 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo engine with a maximum output of 150 PS and a maximum torque of 250 Nm with a 7-speed DCT (dual clutch transmission), allowing it to efficiently utilize the turbocharged range. The starting torque, which tends to be insufficient, is compensated for by a mild hybrid system. Under low loads, two cylinders are shut down, or coasting driving, which shuts down the engine entirely, is actively used, resulting in a WLTC mode fuel economy of 15.4 km/L.

In contrast, the Arkana uses Renault’s proprietary hybrid system, E-THCH (E-Tech), which incorporates technology developed in F1 with a 1.6-liter inline-four naturally aspirated engine. A major feature of the E-Tech is that it is equipped with a non-synchronized transmission with a single motor that produces a maximum torque of 205 Nm, and also has a sub-motor attached to the engine. The non-synchronized transmission has high power transmission efficiency but is prone to gear shift shocks. By synchronizing the engine speed with the sub-motor, it achieves both smooth gear changes and highly efficient driving, and the Arkana’s fuel economy is at the top level in its class of imported cars, at 22.8 km/L.

Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine E-Tech Full Hybrid

Engine type = Inline 4-cylinder DOHC gasoline + motor

Displacement = 1597cc

Maximum output = 94ps/5600rpm

Maximum torque = 148Nm/3600rpm

Transmission = Multi-mode AT

Drive system = FWD

Audi Q3 Sportback 35TFSI S line

Engine type = Inline 4-cylinder DOHC gasoline turbo + motor

Displacement = 1497cc

Maximum output = 150ps / 5000-6000rpm

Maximum torque = 250Nm / 1500-3500rpm

Transmission = 7-speed S tronic

Drive system = FWD

A German classic and a French masterpiece

The Arkana is about 500,000 yen cheaper than the other models. Considering its elegant styling as a French coupe SUV and its elaborate full hybrid structure, the Arkana is a great value model.

On the other hand, the Q3 Sportback is attractive for its high-quality, highly functional interior and high practicality. Although the high price is a concern, the quality of the details and the functionality of the infotainment system are very excellent, as is typical of Audi.

If you are looking for a car with a unique design while prioritizing cost performance in terms of vehicle price and fuel efficiency, the Arkana is the right choice. If you are looking for a car that combines luxury and usability while maintaining the styling of a coupe SUV, the Q3 Sportback is the best choice. However, if you are curious about the mechanism of the powertrain, the Arkana, which uses E-Tech, is definitely the better choice.