2023 Renault Oroch
If there is one thing you should never tease a South African about, it’s a bakkie release. In fact, the light commercial vehicle segment ended the final month of 2022 with 10 438 registrations, representing a healthy year-on-year growth of 16.1%. In short, we take our pickups seriously, and the Renault Oroch will-they-won’t-they situation has been a nail-biting ride.
A South African launch was teased in 2015, and again in 2020, but it now seems that the Brazil-built bakkie will finally make its way to RSA shores in 2023.
So, what’s all the excitement about?
Here are five features that make the compact pickup truck such a popular choice among South American drivers, and intrigue SA motorists as well:
Versatile design. The Oroch is based on the Renault Duster SUV, but with an extended cargo bed at the back, making it a crossover between a compact SUV and a pickup truck. The 89 kW and 159 N.m naturally aspirated 1,6-litre petrol engine is carried over to the base and mid-tier models but they will now be paired with a new six-speed manual transmission to improve acceleration. This design makes it suitable for both off-road adventures and carrying cargo.
Spacious and comfortable interior. The Oroch has a roomy cabin that can accommodate up to five passengers comfortably in its double-cab format. The rear seats can also be folded down to create more cargo space. The upgraded interior also features reimagined air-conditioning controls, orange accents on the dashboard and a new freestanding eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2023 Renault Oroch
Great off-road capabilities. The Oroch comes with a 4×4 drivetrain and a high ground clearance, making it suitable for off-road driving. It also has features like hill descent control, which makes it easy to tackle steep inclines and descents.
Fuel-efficiency. The Oroch is equipped with a range of fuel-efficient engines, including a turbocharged petrol engine and a diesel engine. These engines are designed to provide good fuel economy while still delivering good performance.
In short, the Renault Oroch is a versatile and practical vehicle that offers a good balance of off-road capability, cargo space, and fuel efficiency. Keep an eye on the blog to be the first to know when the Renault Oroch will finally grace our showroom floors. We will share the news as soon as we receive it and cannot wait to welcome you at our Group1 Renault branches to take you for a test drive as soon as it does!
