Renault joins ute party

Renault has joined the turbo-diesel 4x4 double cab ute party with an all-new Nissan Navara-based model called the Alaskan.

Officially unveiled on June 30 and set to first go on sale in  Columbia, the Alaskan will be manufactured in three different plants around the world and be available across South America, Europe, the UK, Asia and Australia and New Zealand.

Like Nissan’s NP300 Navara, key models will be powered by  a twin-turbo common rail 2.3 litre four-cylinder diesel engine mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and use coil springs front and rear.

There will be two and four-wheel-drive versions with all getting an electronic limited slip differential and a full suite of driver aids (ABS, EBD, ESP, and HSA/HDC).

Renault claims ground clearance of 230mm and a braked trailer towing capacity of 3500kgs.