Renault’s Vision for the Niagara

By Jeff Gibbs

Will the introduction of an appealing dual-cab ute from the French brand fnally make its way to Australia? In late 2023, Renault unveiled its all-new dual-cab ute, the Renault Niagara concept, sparking considerable interest and curiosity.

Initially, the concept presentation featured ostentatious accessories, vibrant accents, and an overwhelming body wrap, obscuring the fundamental design of the vehicle. However, a recent reinterpretation by Brazilian graphic artist K Design has stripped away these visual distractions, offering fresh perspectives on the potential appearance of the Renault hay hauler before its anticipated global market debut by 2027.

The reimagined version boasts a more utilitarian design, showcasing the Niagara pick-up truck’s robust aesthetics while retaining elements like the multi-faceted LED headlight clusters and concealed rear door handles seen in the concept. The redesigned rear sports bar maintains the concept’s full-width tail light LEDs but with a more conventional approach. With its muscular wheel arches, rugged all-terrain tires, and substantial ground clearance, this rendition of the Renault Niagara appears to position itself as a fagship tough truck, potentially competing head-to-head with models like the Toyota HiLux GR Sport and Ford Ranger Wildtrak X.

However, the Renault Niagara seems to take a slightly different approach compared to the most popular dual-cab utes in Australia, such as the Mitsubishi Triton and Ford Ranger. Unlike the Renault Alaskan, which was based on the Nissan Navara and considered for the Australian market, the Niagara pick- up truck utilizes one of Renault’s new modular platform architectures, suggesting a smaller lifestyle-focused ute more akin to SUV-based models like the Hyundai Santa Cruz rather than a heavy-duty workhorse like the HiLux. Given its dimensions, notably shorter than some competitors, it may adopt a car-like monocoque or unibody frame, potentially impacting its towing capacity compared to traditional dieselpowered utes in Australia. Despite this, the Renault Niagara features an all-wheeldrive system, employing a hybrid setup where an electric motor powers the front wheels while the combustion engine drives the rear wheels.

As Renault aims to extend its presence beyond Europe, the Niagara Ute stands among eight new models scheduled for global release before 2027. While it remains uncertain if it will arrive in Australia, the success of similar vehicles like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Fe Down Under could signifcantly infuence the possibility of an Australian launch.