Renault Koleos: French Marque Crosses Over Motoring
Channel Staff - 13/May/2008 
Renault Koleos
Renault's crossover vehicle, the Koleos,
will feature three different AWD modes
The avant-garde styling is aimed at securing a
large portion of the European crossover market
High end models will get a satellite navigation
system and large LCD screen with groovy input
High end Koleos models also get advanced trip
computer functions, showing the cars attitude
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Busan, Korea — Due to arrive in Australia in September after it's European launch in June, the Renault Koleos marks the French company's first foray into the crossover market segment. Expected to deliver Renault Australia a big boost in sales, the multi-purpose SUV will be a 4x4 vehicle boasting a strong safety suite. It
will be available with both turbo diesel and petrol engines, manual and
automatic gearboxes, and will rival vehicles such as Volkswagen's
upcoming Tiguan 4x4 and the Mazda CX-7. As well an electronic stability program (ESP), Renault's new crossover vehicle will also boast six airbags including side curtain airbags. Both are important safety features and both will be standard fitments across the Renault Koleos range. Renault is also promising a top notch braking system with ABS that
can decelerate the Koleos from 100km/h to standstill in just 42 metres,
which is "one of the shortest stopping distances to be found in the
SUV/crossover segment" according to the French car maker. Though it's yet to be tested and rated, Renault is confident the Koleos will rate "extremely well" in the Euro NCAP benchmark safety tests. As
well a range of class-leading safety features, the Koleos has a modern
design theme that sets it apart from the most popular crossovers on the
market at present. Bulging wheel arches that emphasise the alloy
wheels while a sports-urban front end design adds character. The rear
end has a tapered tailgate that features a split-opening "clamshell"-type tailgate, to use Renault's word. The automaker claims this improves cargo area access. Some of the other confirmed features of the Koleos include a chilled glovebox for keeping food and drink cool, folding tables mounted
in the backs of the front seats, and as is customary for modern SUVs a surfeit of storage
compartments. "The new Koleos is the first true product of the Renault-Nissan global alliance," says Renault's managing director, Rudi Koenig. "The
Koleos is the result of a unique blend of global engineering, design
and manufacturing resources," added Mr Koenig, referring to the
vehicle's design by Renault in Europe, its development by Nissan
in Japan, and its construction at the Renault Samsung
Motors' plant in Korea. When the car launched in Australia in September, it will be offered with either a petrol or a diesel engine. The
2.0-litre dCi turbo diesel engine will be the more frugal of the two
engines, while the 2.5-litre petrol powerplant borrowed from the
Nissan X-Trail that outputs 125 kilowatts. Renault says manual 6-speed
gearboxes and continuously variable transmissions (CVT) will be offered. It
will also benefit from an electronic park brake, switchable 4WD modes,
hill descent control and even an upmarket sat nav system with a BMW
iDrive-inspired input dial. Renault's
new crossover SUV will make its production debut in Europe in June, and
will then come to Australia in September 2008. Renault has not yet
released detailed specifications or pricing for the new model.
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