Renault has unveiled its Niagara concept in Brazil, revealing the design direction for upcoming global models destined for international markets other than Europe. This concept is a compact pickup with a rugged design, a hybrid powertrain and four-wheel-drive.
In terms of styling, the front end has a distinct appearance, with futuristic split LED headlights integrated into a wide grille. The traditional Renault rhombus emblem is replaced in the centre of the grille by illuminated Renault lettering, though the emblem is retained at the rear on the full-width LED taillights.
The pickup has SUV-like proportions, with a high beltline, a sporty roofline with an integrated spoiler, and a relatively short rear bed. The large wheels and significant ground clearance emphasise the rugged characteristics of an off-road vehicle. Renault has included a roof rack capable of carrying a full-size spare wheel and two more at the rear bed.
The Renault Niagara concept is built on Renault's new modular platform, which is known for its adaptability to different lengths, body styles, and powertrain options. This concept has a length of 4900mm and a wheelbase of 2949mm, placing it in the compact pickup segment.
The Niagara's hybrid powertrain combines a mild-hybrid petrol engine up front with an additional electric motor on the rear axle. Although the combined power output is not disclosed, Renault claims that this configuration provides off-road capabilities comparable to a 4WD system while lowering CO2 emissions due to its ability to operate in a fully electric mode for a significant portion of daily driving.
Renault has confirmed that the Niagara concept will influence the design of eight new production models set to debut in international markets by 2027. However, the company has not stated whether the pickup concept will be directly translated into a production model or used as inspiration.