Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Renault Koleos feature - Design, Powertrain and more

Here is a feature article about Renault's new Koleos SUV. It will be launched this September 2016. I have to say that this is reasonably priced for a European SUV and I am looking forward to viewing it personally as it has nice styling (it looks like one of those SUVs from those German carmakers from some angles). Well, I believe that if you want to spend money on a car, it has to look decently good and then drive decently well too.  The kit count is also good too. Which means you have a lot of toys inside.

If you are interested, basic details are stated below:

The look, quality and features expected of an SUV

Powerful and athletic exterior design
All-new Koleos is an SUV that packs all the styling cues and capabilities associated with the segment.


In keeping with the Renault design strategy introduced by Laurens van den Acker, all-new Koleos is covered by design pillar ‘EXPLORE,’ which stands for robustness and a taste for adventure. It was the pursuit of these qualities that inspired Renault’s designers to give all-new Koleos taut, powerful, muscular lines. All-new Koleos features classic SUV design cues: door protective mouldings, large-diameter wheels and aluminium roof bars.

Meanwhile, the combination of high ground clearance (210mm) and approach and departure angles of respectively 19 and 26 degrees ensures go-anywhere ability.

The stylish body colours and wheel design selected for the all-new Koleos ensure a particular elegance:
- Four body colours: Universal White, Grey Metallic, Black Metallic and Meissen Blue

- Wheel design: 18 inch Argonaute alloy

A protective interior



All-new Koleos’ SUV genes are similarly prominent inside the cabin. Redolent of comfort, quality and strength, its elegant, protective interior is in perfect harmony with the model’s exterior lines. An elevated driving position offers excellent visibility.

The tall, wide dashboard is intended to give driver and passenger a sense of safety and protection. Hand grips either side of the centre console echo the world of off-road motoring while imbuing the interior with a sporty feel.

All-new Koleos proudly sports Renault’s styling hallmarks
Inspired by Renault’s high-end line-up


The styling similarities with Talisman – Renault’s new large family saloon – are immediately apparent, and with good reason. The exteriors of these two vehicles were designed in parallel.

As a result, the all-new Koleos is instantly recognisable as a top-of-the-range Renault, thanks notably to its front-end design that incorporates a prominent Renault logo set at the centre of a broad chrome grille.

The taut bonnet lines contribute to the car’s powerful design, an impression that is heightened by the presence of several chrome embellishments, including strips that run from the head lights along the full length of the wings to visually lengthen the front end and exude an impression of dynamism and elegance. Unique in the segment, this feature sets all-new Koleos apart from other SUVs.

The 2,705mm wheelbase – for a total vehicle length of 4,672mm – counts amongst the longest in the class and allows all-new Koleos to boast record-breaking interior space to position itself as a D-segment SUV.

At the rear, Renault’s trademark style is again prominently on display. The wide, horizontal tail lights amplify the impression of width (1,843mm) and draw the eye to the Renault logo on the tailgate. Chrome inserts set into the lower part of the rear bumper take the shape of twin exhaust tail pipes, a detail that is complementary with all-new Koleos’ overall exterior design.

A full LED lighting signature recalling that of Renault’s latest models

The cohesion of the model’s overall design extends to the front and rear lights:
- All-new Koleos’ lighting signature recalls that of Renault’s most recent models

- Full LED Pure Vision head lights that are 20 per cent more powerful than a halogen beam for enhanced night-time vision

- Daytime Running Lights (DRL) provides a unique, piercing gaze

- Permanently-lit LED tail lights feature Edge Light technology, which generates a clear, bright 3D effect

A new application for the Alliance’s CMF C/D architecture
An acclaimed, versatile architecture


All-new Koleos is built on the Alliance CMF-C/D architecture that is shared by several vehicles, including the Renault Espace, Talisman and Kadjar, and Nissan’s X-Trail/Rogue and Qashqai. The common architecture attests to the Alliance’s experience in saloon cars, crossovers and SUVs.

Vehicle parts and components that are not visible to the customer are common, while the design and identity of each brand remain distinct. The resulting savings were reinvested in All-new Koleos to offer enhanced customer features.

An assembly plant renowned within the Renault-Nissan Alliance




All-new Koleos is assembled in Busan, Korea for all markets in the world except China. The plant boasts industrial tooling that is both effective and very flexible. It also meets Renault’s stringent manufacturing quality standards and currently produces vehicles built on the CMF-C/D architecture for brands belonging to Groupe Renault and its partner, Nissan.

A powerful 2.5 litre petrol engine
A 2.5-litre (171PS) petrol engine will be available for the all-new Koleos.

The 2.5-litre petrol engine is also an atmospheric, four-cylinder, 16-valve powerplant with double overhead camshafts. Maximum power is 171PS (126 kW) at 6,000rpm, with peak torque of 226Nm at 4,400rpm. Particular care was taken to minimise friction for enhanced performance and optimised fuel consumption. With 200Nm torque available from as low as 1,800rpm, it is extremely responsive at low and mid-range engine speeds and isparticularly suited to towing up to two tonnes.

The X-Tronic CVT automatic transmission
The All-new Koleos is a petrol, two-wheel drive equipped with an X-Tronic automatic transmission. It was designed to enhance driving enjoyment and reduce fuel consumption compared with conventional automatic transmissions.

Unlike former CVT transmissions, the all-new Koleos’ X-Tronic CVT transmission performs more like a multi-ratio automatic whenever the driver needs to accelerate briskly. However, this continuously variable transmission ensures seamless gear shifts under acceleration by proposing an infinite number of gears. It ensures that engine revs and load are constantly optimised to deliver enhanced fuel consumption, ride comfort and low noise levels when travelling at constant speeds. The driver has the option to select a seven-speed sequential mode to benefit from engine braking. X-Tronic CVT transmission provides all the benefits of conventional automatic transmissions without the downsides.


Several million kilometres of testing in real-world conditions
Groupe Renault’s specialists involved across the planet


The all-new Koleos project involved Groupe Renault staff and teams worldwide. Renault’s engineering and test centres across the globe made contributions to the model’s design and development, including the Technocentre and the technical centres in Aubevoye and Lardy, France, as well as the Renault Samsung technical centre in Korea. Renault’s engineers and development specialists also put the all-new Koleos’ through its paces on test tracks and roads in Lapland, as well as some deteriorated roads in Russia.

Tested to last

All-new Koleos was subjected to exacting static and dynamic tests to ensure compliance with Renault’s rigorous standards and ensure exceptional reliability. Given that it will be marketed on five continents, it was important that the all-new Koleos met the expectations of drivers in all types of weather and on all types of roads.

Prior to its release, all-new Koleos underwent 1,100,000km of intensive testing at Renault’s test centres (equivalent to more than 3,300,000km in real-world conditions in terms of wear) to confirm its durability. Similarly, 20 pre-production vehicles covered more than one million kilometres with the aim of revealing any potential defects so that corrective action could be taken as required.

In addition to these dynamic tests, Renault has developed a raft of static tests designed to verify resistance to wear and tear (EDAU test). This procedure entails handling the seats and operating the electric windows, seat belts, gear lever, hand brake, and door mechanisms many thousands of times, 24 hours a day, to simulate years of use in a period of only a few weeks.




Now open for booking in Malaysia

TC Euro Cars (TCEC), the sole franchise holder of Renault cars in Malaysia, has opened the order books for the all-new Koleos – Renault’s latest flagship SUV.

Slated for launch in September, the introductory price for the all-new Renault Koleos is RM172,800 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM116,800 in Langkawi (on-the-road inclusive of GST, without insurance and for private registration).



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