At last week’s Seoul Motor Show, Renault Samsung Motors showed the XM3 INSPIRE. This is effectively a Renault Arkana for the Korean domestic market with a few alterations.
Just like the Arkana, the XM3 INSPIRE (boy that rolls off the tongue) will be a ‘coupé-SUV‘ in the C-segment. This combines the plastic lower body cladding and ride-height of an SUV with the sloping roofline of a coupe.
The XM3 Inspire was shown with some unique design elements. Its 19″ wheels, headlights, tailights, red lower body trim accents, unique bumpers, grille, and badges help distinguish it from the Arkana.
Interestingly, the Renault-Samsung facility is the source of many Malaysian-assembled CKD kits. Will our version of the Arkana come from the same factory as the XM3 Inspire or be fully-imported from France? Perhaps it will not make it here at all.
