Photo: Nissan
The new Espace is definitely the highlight of Renault's stand at the Paris Motor Show this week, but Australian journalists weren't all too concerned with MPV, since this doesn't match their style. Instead, everybody is buzzing about the first true pickup truck from the French company, one that's capable of carrying a full ton and competes directly with the Toyota Hilux.
Development has been officially confirmed by Renault's chairman for the Asia-Pacific region, Gilles Normand, who spoke to CarAdvice on the sidelines of the Mondial de l'Automobile.
"It's something we are working on. Definitely, it will be based on the Alliance product," said Normand.
The truck will most likely be assembled at the same factory in Thailand as the Navara and share many components. That's the same country where the new Chevrolet Colorado was initially developed and where it's assembled as well.
Engine choices are expected to include improved versions of the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine and 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine. Currently, the Navara offers the diesel engine with two different outputs: 161 hp and 403 Nm (297 lb-ft) or 188 hp and 450Nm (332 lb-ft).
But this new model will be an altogether different vehicle, a compact pickup truck in the true sense of the word, not a converted family crossover or sedan.
Renault and Nissan have made it their official goal to increase profits though platform sharing. In Russia, Nissan has just launched a new Terrano SUV, which is actually just the Duster in disguise. A few years from now, the all-new Micra supermini is going to switch from being built in India to the Flins Renault Factory, which makes the Clio.
"It's something we are working on. Definitely, it will be based on the Alliance product," said Normand.
Based on Nissan Navara
The 1-ton Renault pickup will be based on the all-new 2015 Nissan Navara, known as the Frontier in some markets. The company official did say that it will take at least two years to differentiate the two in terms of styling. But there are only so many things you can do with something built to be 99% practical and 1% interesting.The truck will most likely be assembled at the same factory in Thailand as the Navara and share many components. That's the same country where the new Chevrolet Colorado was initially developed and where it's assembled as well.
Engine choices are expected to include improved versions of the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine and 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine. Currently, the Navara offers the diesel engine with two different outputs: 161 hp and 403 Nm (297 lb-ft) or 188 hp and 450Nm (332 lb-ft).
A long history of sharing
Renault already has a pickup truck on sale in some emerging markets, basically just the old Dacia Logan Pick-Up sold under a different badge. A two-door version of the Duster crossover with a bed at the back is also being planned and will be sold under the Renault badge in Brazil.But this new model will be an altogether different vehicle, a compact pickup truck in the true sense of the word, not a converted family crossover or sedan.
Renault and Nissan have made it their official goal to increase profits though platform sharing. In Russia, Nissan has just launched a new Terrano SUV, which is actually just the Duster in disguise. A few years from now, the all-new Micra supermini is going to switch from being built in India to the Flins Renault Factory, which makes the Clio.
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