RENAULT KOLEOS: More sophisticated, but simplified range

• Bold new exterior styling for the highly regarded Renault crossover
• Smart technology delivering unrivalled levels of safety and practicality
• Simplified range consisting of a single trim level (Dynamique) and one engine choice (2,5 litre petrol)
• Available in three configurations (4×2 Manual, 4×4 Manual and 4×4 CVT)
• Genuine versatility retained through impressive on-road and off-road ability
• Aggressive price positioning and excellent competitiveness

The new Renault Koleos is a genuinely versatile vehicle, with a dynamic new personality courtesy of the elegant, more expressive styling adopted for the 2012 model. Higher levels of quality and refinement add to the allure of this contender in the compact crossover segment.

It is comfortable and nimble in and around town, yet boasts real off-road ability for escaping the crowd – thus making it a truly compelling choice for those with active lifestyles.

BOLD NEW STYLING FOR THE NEW KOLEOS

The new 2012 Koleos boasts a redesigned front-end that reasserts the model’s bold character and robustness.

The air intakes positioned on either side of the Renault logo on the previous version have made way for an elegant chrome grille. The dynamic presence of the new Koleos has been reinforced by new, slimmer headlights and a more muscular front bumper with sculpted recesses for the front fog lights. More streamlined door mirrors are also featured, and now incorporate LED indicators.

A robust design characterises the side view too, reinforcing the vehicle’s genuine off-road credentials with a high ground clearance, prominent wheel arches and two sportier 17-inch wheel designs for the 4×2 and 4×4 variants.

The distinctive rear-end styling of the outgoing model was one of its stand-out design features, and this has been retained for the new version. It includes the steeply-raked rear screen, which suggests forward movement and endows the Koleos with a particularly original stance.

New to the Koleos is the striking and modern Cayenne Orange body colour, which gives Renault’s upmarket crossover even greater visual appeal.

INTERIOR: EVEN MORE QUALITY, TOGETHER WITH UNPARALLELED MODULARITY

The Renault Koleos offers class-topping cabin space and comfort for a D-segment crossover, including benchmark front headroom and knee room.

Careful attention has been paid to the quality and finish of the cabin for the updated model. A selection of new upholstery and trim materials, including high-grade leather as standard, enhances the overall refinement, while the dashboard has also undergone improvements with the introduction of a modern, more stylish instrument panel.

Overall refinement has been enhanced by reducing transmission noise through the use of a twin-mass flywheel damper, while road noise is minimised through the use of new soundproofing materials.

The uncluttered, car-like driver’s environment exudes high-end appeal and mirrors the ambience of elegance and robustness suggested by the dynamic exterior styling. The driver’s environment places the accent on visibility, thanks to segment-leading all-round visibility.

Modularity remains an further  key strength of the Renault model. A full 70 litres of stowage is available in binnacles and storage spaces provided throughout the cabin. These include a chilled 15-litre glovebox, a large centre cubby with removable bin, a drawer beneath the front passenger seat, and two lidded five-litre compartments in the floor.

The rear of the central armrest incorporates two stowage areas and cup holders, while rear passengers benefit from folding tables mounted on the front seat backs. Additionally, the boot features a useful 28-litre underfloor storage compartment.

The clamshell-type split-opening tailgate of the Koleos is one of its trademark features, and facilitates easy access to the boot. The upper, primary tailgate permits access to the rear in cramped spaces, and allows items wider than a metre to be carried.

When lowered, the lower tailgate section enables heavy or bulky items to be loaded with ease. It also serves as a robust, handy platform with a 200 kg load capacity.

The 60/40-split rear bench seat boasts Renault’s ‘easy estate’ system, which enables it to be folded from the rear in a single operation. This expands the loading capacity from 450 dm³ with the seats up to a full 1 380 dm³.

This space can be easily compartmented with hooks that allow the retention net to be fixed in a variety of ways. Furthermore, the back of the front passenger seat can be tipped forward to form a table, or to transport items up to 2,6 m in length.

SMART TECHNOLOGY DELIVERING UNRIVALLED LEVEL OF SAFETY AND PRACTICALITY

The new Koleos range emphasises the value of clarity and simplicity. The Dynamique trim is the only one available and offers an array of standard smart technologies aimed at making the driving experience perfectly safe and hassle-free.

Outstanding levels of safety are ensured, thanks to standard ABS with Emergency Brake Assist, ESP, dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags, as well as load limiters for the front and outer rear seatbelts, front seatbelt pre-tensioners, Isofix child seat anchorage points, and whiplash-protecting head restraints.

The impressive list continues with Carminat Tom Tom on-board navigation, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, front and rear electric windows, automatic headlight and windscreen wiper activation, and cruise control with speed limiter.

The Renault hands-free card for keyless unlocking and start-up is standard, as is the automatic parking brake, and front and rear parking sensors.

Additionally, the New Koleos Dynamique comes standard with full leather upholstery. The front seats are heated and the driver’s seat is electrically adjustable driver seat.

New Koleos also boasts a premium Bose Auditorium sound system that was specifically developed for this vehicle, and includes Bluetooth, as well as USB and mini-jack connection points.

All these technologically advanced features allow New Koleos to deliver an outstanding level of safety and practicality, and fully support the new advertising campaign headline chosen for the new Renault model: “Experience a new age of freedom”.

Indeed, driving a New Koleos further emphasises the feeling of freedom one can experience while driving the SUV.

A 2.5i PETROL ENGINE THAT PERFECTLY MATCHES THE SPIRIT OF NEW KOLEOS

The new Koleos is powered by a 2,5-litre 16-valve four-cylinder petrol engine that develops 126 kW of power at 6 000 r/min and 226 Nm of torque at 4 400 r/min. This unit is matched to a six-speed manual gearbox in both 4×2 and 4×4 guises, and the option of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in the case of the latter.

Whatever is the configuration chosen, this powerplant’s spirit perfectly suits to the New Koleos, revealing in all situations a smooth, discrete and very enjoyable personality.

Depending on transmission and drivetrain, the Koleos is capable of accelerating from standstill to 100 km/h in 9,0 sec. The SUV’s top speed potential comes to 191 km/h. With a combined cycle fuel consumption of 9,5 l/100 km, it has a corresponding CO₂ emissions rating of 228 g/km.

BEST-IN-CLASS ON AND OFF-ROAD DYNAMICS

The Koleos is built on a highly advanced technical platform – a fact that becomes obvious when driving the SUV on-road.

The MacPherson-type front suspension combines with the independent multilink rear arrangement to deliver a high standard of comfort and handling, while limiting body roll through corners. The 320 mm diameter front disc brakes and 292 mm rear disc brakes allow for an impressive stopping distance from 100 km/h in 41 metres.

Also, a key attribute of the Koleos is its genuine off-road ability, ensuring that it is just as efficient when heading off the beaten track. The 206 mm ground clearance, and approach and departure angles of 27 and 31 degrees respectively, are clear evidence of its off-road credentials.

The 4×4 derivative employs an all-wheel drive system with three driver-selected modes: Auto, 4×4 LOCK or 2WD. In Auto, the front/rear torque split is automatically calculated as a function of available grip and varied between the drive axles accordingly. In normal driving, though, the torque is primarily delivered to the front wheels for greater efficiency.

In 4×4 LOCK mode, the transmission is locked into four-wheel drive, with 50 percent of the torque directed to each axle – ideal for travelling on surfaces where grip is at a premium. The 2WD mode allows the system to be locked into front-wheel drive only.

Two further driver aids are built into the 4×4 system. Hill Start Assist keeps the brakes on when stopped on a slope of more than 10 percent, facilitating easier pull-off on inclines. Hill Descent Control, in turn, automatically holds the vehicle’s speed at a maximum of 7 km/h on gradients of 10 percent or more.

AGGRESSIVE PRICE POSITIONNING & EXCELLENT COMPETITIVENESS

Since 2010, retail pricing in the D-SUV have effectively dropped. New competitors have been launched with very aggressive prices, triggering inflated discounts of most D-SUV contenders.

The New Renault Koleos price strategy acknowledges this new market situation – the objective is to show excellent competitiveness through attractive pricing, while limiting rebates in order to protect the resale value of the model.

• New Koleos 2.5 Dynamique 4×2 – R289 900
• New Koleos 2.5 Dynamique 4×4 – R314 900
• New Koleos 2.5 Dynamique 4×4 CVT – R339 900