What's all this about?
It's another new one-tonne pick-up truck... and no, they're not called 'one-tonne' because that's what they weigh - rather, it means they can carry one tonne of stuff in their flat load beds. This one's from Renault and it's called the Alaskan.
Why do I get the feeling I've seen this before?
Because you have, albeit from another manufacturer. The Renault-Nissan Alliance has allowed the French firm to build a series of crossovers/SUVs from Nissan's successful array of Juke, Qashqai and X-Trail, leading us to Renault's Captur, Kadjar and Koleos offerings. So the Alaskan is quite clearly based on the Nissan NP300 Navara.
Ah, does that mean multilink rear suspension then?
It certainly does, along with the same 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel four-pot engine, delivering either 160- or 190hp to all four wheels. The Alaskan has the same load and towing capacities as the Nissan, as well the same ground clearance, and approach, departure and ramp over angles. Look, it's essentially an NP300 Navara with a Renault face, some Renault badging and some Renault product names for its on-board technology.
Excellent, so when is it going on sale in the UK?
Ah. We're not sure. We see no reason why Renault couldn't offer it over here, given the way one-tonne pick-ups are selling right now (even Mercedes is readying such a vehicle for market), but at present, despite the profligate use of the word 'global' in Renault's announcement of the Alaskan, the only place it is confirmed for sale is Latin America. That explains the choice of the three sites that will build the Alaskan, which are Cuernavaca, Mexico; Cordoba, Argentina; and Barcelona, in Spain. That last location is what makes us expect Renault will bring the Alaskan to Europe, sooner rather than later.
Matt Robinson - 30 Jun 2016