In America, when we think of a ?one-ton? truck, we?re getting pretty deep into Super-Duty-esque territory, with potential dualie implications. It’s something that?ll tow 30,000 pounds over the Rockies, live to tell the tale, and have you back in Sidney, Nebraska, the next day. When the French say ?one-tonne? truck, they?ll boast of a 187-hp turbodiesel four-banger and a towing capacity of 7716 pounds. Cute. Welcome, then, the Renault Alaskan, strutting its stuff at the Paris auto show after a debut in Colombia earlier this year.

Displayed as a concept a year ago, the Alaskan is now in production. According to Renault, the name ?conjures up wild, rugged landscapes and is an open invitation to indulge in the desire for adventure.? We?ll give Renault this: It?s a better name for a pickup than ?Sonoma,? which always struck us as a rather effete moniker for an allegedly tough sort of vehicle. Also according to Renault, ?the dimensions of the assertive, imposing Alaskan ensure a forceful stance,? and ?Alaskan?s lines blend a sense of high-tech engineering and imply its robustness.? Given that ?implied robustness? is undoubtedly a prime mover of pickup sales in the States, we can?t fault Renault for going for it. That said, the Alaskan definitely eschews the semi-tractor vibe that large Yankee pickups are chasing these days.
Built on a fully-boxed frame, the Alaskan is available with both single and double cabs, short and long beds (depending on the market), and with 158-...