2017 Renault Koleos

Renault revealed the new Renault Koleos at the 2016 Beijing International Automobile Exhibition, the newest addition to its global portfolio.

The new Koleos delivers all that is expected of a D-segment SUV:

·         Powerful, muscular exterior lines,

·         Unparalleled four-wheel drive technology,

·         Real all-terrain ability thanks to ground clearance of 213mm.

And hallmarks Renault's know how:

·         A refined, comfortable interior with seats including technology and design amongst the very best in its category,

·         Class-leading cabin space, including 289mm of rear knee room,

·         Equipment shared with other high-end Renault models, like the R-LINK 2 multimedia tablet.

The new Koleos delivers a blend of robust SUV cues and the refinement and features associated with large saloon cars.

In addition to a package that positions the new Koleos as the reference of its class in terms of comfort and refinement, it completes Renault's high-end range that now includes a crossover (Espace), a large saloon car (Talisman) and its estate variant (Talisman Estate), plus an SUV (new Koleos).

Conceived and meticulously thought through to meet the demands of exacting customers on every continent, the new Koleos is destined for a global audience, with sales beginning in the third quarter of 2016 in Australia, Turkey, the Gulf states and some Latin American countries, followed by China at the end of 2016, then Russia and Europe at the beginning of 2017. For Renault, the new Koleos comes at a time when SUVs are enjoying strong growth in many markets, and for many consumers, this will be their first opportunity to experience Renault in their segment of choice.

Powerful and athletic

The new Renault 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, the 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 the new Koleos taut, powerful, muscular lines. New Koleos features classic SUV design cues:

·         Door protective mouldings.

·         Large-diameter wheels (up to 19 inches).

·         Aluminium roof bars.

Meanwhile, the combination of high ground clearance (213mm) and approach and departure angles of respectively 19 and 26 degrees ensures go-anywhere ability.

A protective interior

An elevated driving position offers excellent visibility. Compared to a traditional sedan, the new Koleos' driving position is 150mm higher, a reassuring feature that is highly prized by SUV buyers.

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.

The line stretching from the top of the dashboard to the rear of the armrest is one of the highlights of the new Koleos' interior configuration. This central line suggests power and the world of all-wheel drive motoring.

The wide centre console ensures there is a comfortable distance between the driver and front passenger. The 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.

Unparalleled, user-friendly 4x4 technology

The new Renault Koleos' ALL MODE 4x4-i technology has already proven its capability in millions of Alliance vehicles around the world. This all-wheel drive system is extremely easy to use thanks to a switch on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel that offers a choice between the 2WD (front-wheel drive) and 4WD AUTO modes. The latter automatically splits the torque between the front and rear wheels. At slow speeds in low-grip conditions, a third mode called 4WD LOCK allows the driver to select permanent all-wheel drive.

The new Koleos' 4x4 transmission also guarantees enhanced safety and stability by neutralising understeer and oversteer, and by optimising grip in difficult conditions. To adapt to the varying requirements of its different markets, a two-wheel drive version of the new Koleos will also be available.

Inspired by the Talisman

The styling similarities with the Talisman - Renault's new large family saloon that was recently awarded the Most Beautiful Car of the Year accolade at the 2016 Festival Automobile International in Paris, France - are immediately apparent, and with good reason. The exteriors of these two vehicles were designed in parallel by teams led by the same designer: Alexis Martot.

As a result, the new Koleos is instantly recognisable as a top-of-the-range Renault, thanks notably to its frontend 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 the new Koleos apart from other SUVs.

The 2,710mm wheelbase - for a total vehicle length of 4,670mm - counts amongst the longest in the class and allows the 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 (1,840mm) and draw the eye to the Renault diamond 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 the 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.

·         New Koleos' lighting signature recalls that of Renault's most recent models,

·         Full LED Pure Vision head lights (depending on version) that are 20 percent 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.

High-end appointments for the new Koleos' refined, spacious, passenger-friendly interior

The new Renault Koleos features record interior space and a comprehensive list of equipment also found on Renault's latest high-end models. The carefully-appointed interior features colours and materials selected for the quality they exude, in a bid to become the category's benchmark in terms of comfort and refinement.

Front seats amongst the segment's most comfortable

The front seats of the new Koleos draw their inspiration from those of the Talisman:

·         A welcoming, enveloping design.

·         Dimensions that figure amongst the very best in class.

·         Variable density foam for added comfort.

Depending on the version, the new Koleos' front seats benefit from:

·         Six-way power adjustment.

·         Power lumbar adjustment.

·         Heated cushions and heated seat backs, with a choice of two temperatures.

·         Integrated ventilation to lower the temperature in hot weather.

The rear of the seat comprises a flexible yet resistant semi-rigid shell that frees up extra room for rear passengers in addition to contributing to a more airy interior design.

Class-leading space for rear passengers

With knee room of 289mm, the new Koleos not only outclasses its rivals but also provides rear passengers with generous head room, shoulder room and elbow room. The second row seats can be heated, with a choice of two temperatures.

Configurable boot

In addition to its benchmark cabin space, the new Koleos boasts a large modular boot and numerous handy stowage solutions.

·         A 542 dm3 VDA boot (equivalent to 624 litres), plus a clever removable floor positioned at the same height as the boot, which forms a flat floor.

·         "Easy Break" system: handles located inside the boot enable the 60/40-split rear bench seat to be folded in an instant, freeing up a total carrying capacity of 1,690 dm3 VDA.

·         35 litres of additional stowage, including an 11-litre glove box and a five-litre cubby in the centre console.

A carefully-appointed interior

The new Renault Koleos' interior subtly blends robust SUV cues with the impression of quality expected of a large family saloon thanks to the use of attractive, scratch-resistant materials such as satin-finish chrome for the steering wheel, gear lever and air vent inserts. The centre console is covered by a protective film that is hardy and pleasing to the touch. The cushion-backed materials selected for the dashboard and door panels also contribute to the cabin's restful ambience, while leather upholstery and leather-trimmed armrests feature contrasting top stitching.

Travelling comfort is further enhanced by customisable LED cabin lighting, with a palette of hues ranging from green, to blue, yellow red or violet, depending on the mood of the driver and passengers.

Last but not least, the new Koleos' cabin is particularly bright thanks to a large, opening glass sun roof (0.80 m2) that extends over the rear seats.

R-LINK 2, a connected, personalisable experience

A key feature of the new Koleos' interior and also key to travelling comfort is R-LINK 2. The system serves as a connected control centre to coordinate functions like infotainment, navigation, hands-free telephony, radio and driver aids. Key features are:

·         Two screen formats available: a 7-inch landscape or an 8.7-inch portrait,

·         Same tactile functions as personal tablet (two-finger zoom, page scrolling, drag and drop, etc.),

·         Realistic navigation display with 3D representation of buildings,

·         Connectivity and charging options include Bluetooth® for hands-free use of a telephone and audio streaming, a USB port, a 3.5mm jack socket, a 12V power supply and, depending on version, an SD card slot,

·         Voice recognition for navigation instructions and telephone use, plus the ability to read e-mails aloud,

·         Four customisable homepages with widgets for swift access to the most frequently employed functions,

·         Wide range of applications designed specifically for automotive use available from the R-LINK Store.

Driving data (speed, RPM, fuel consumption, etc.) is displayed on a personalisable 7 inch colour screen situated behind the steering wheel, in the driver's line of sight.