Autoblog

Renault makes new Koleos sound sweeter with top-spec Bose edition

Noah Joseph — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

Typically, Bose sound systems are found in higher-end automobiles. The Renault Koleos stands as a new exception to that convention, however. Because while the Korean-made crossover is a distinctly more budget-oriented proposition than its costlier counterparts, the top-of-the-line model with the Bose sound system is one of the most popular.

In fact a good 30 percent of previous-generation Koleos buyers opted for the Bose Edition - numbers that Renault couldn't ignore ignore. And so - with the new model now hitting dealers across Europe - the French automaker has rolled out a new Bose Edition.

Naturally, the luxed-up crossover comes with a Bose sound system configured specifically for this vehicle's cabin space. But Renault is also packaging it with extra touches like aluminum-finish mirror caps, tinted rear windows, 17-inch alloys and black lacquer trim inside... and, of course, the requisite badging to let everyone know that the driver has a good ear for finer acoustics.

Buyers can choose between all-wheel drive or front, and between automatic or manual six-speed transmissions, coupled to a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo diesel. Follow the jump for the full specs in the press release.

Continue reading Renault makes new Koleos sound sweeter with top-spec Bose edition

Renault makes new Koleos sound sweeter with top-spec Bose edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault rolls out full details on new Samsung SM7

Noah Joseph — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Renault, Luxury, South Korea

You may recognize the name Samsung for its electronics. Maybe even some home appliances. But cars? The Korean industrial giant produces a line of automobiles for domestic consumption in collaboration with Renault. Together, they make a range of sedans, hatchbacks and crossovers, and this is the latest.

Called the SM7, the new sedan was previewed a couple of months ago, but now that it's ready to hit the Korean market, Renault/Samsung has released a small batch of new images along with all the details.

The product of some 32 months and over $300 million of development, the new SM7 is larger than the Nissan Maxima-based model it replaces. Two V6 engines from the third-generation VQ family are available - a 2.5-liter unit with 190 horsepower or a larger 3.5-liter unit with 258 hp - both mated to a six-speed paddle-shift automatic.

The (relatively) luxurious and well-appointed cabin on this flagship sedan, meanwhile, features aviation-inspired headrests that look very comfortable for the passengers, but for the driver look (a) like they'd keep your head up straight should you fall asleep behind the wheel, and (b) to us like a terrible idea.

Prices have commensurately increased a bit over the old model, but that's only a concern if you live in a market where Samsung cars are available. One way or another, though, you can check out the high-resolution images for a closer look and the full press release after the jump.

Continue reading Renault rolls out full details on new Samsung SM7

Renault rolls out full details on new Samsung SM7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault fully unveils updated Koleos crossover

Noah Joseph — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Crossover, Renault, Diesel, South Korea

2012 Renault Koleos - Click above for high-res image gallery

This is not a Porsche Cayenne, but something told us you already knew that. What you're looking at is the new Renault Koleos. But the French softroader is available in Cayenne Orange, as pictured above. Hmm.

Previewed in the initial leaked images we brought you late last week, Renault has now fully unveiled the new Koleos, also known as the Samsung QM5. So what's new about it? Well, aside from the new color, it's got a refreshed front end, sideview mirrors with integrated LED indicators and an updated interior with such optional amenities as TomTom sat-nav and Bose sound systems.

Otherwise, it's essentially the same crossover introduced just a few years ago, engineered by Nissan (Renault's corporate cousin which holds far more crossover expertise than its French ally) and built in South Korea. It'll be available to customers around the world with two diesels (in 150 and 175 horsepower status of tune) or a 170-hp gasoline engine, all re-tuned for lower emissions, driving either the front wheels or all four.

Follow the jump for the press release and scope out the images in the gallery for more.

Continue reading Renault fully unveils updated Koleos crossover

Renault fully unveils updated Koleos crossover originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault previews facelifted Koleos in India

Noah Joseph — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Renault, India, South Korea

2012 Renault Koleos - Click above for images

That the Renault/Dacia Duster has reached the Indian market may be news for the Indian automotive scene, but is hardly of consequence to American readers, or really to anyone outside of India. What is of more international importance, however, is what was previewed at the Duster's unveiling in New Dehli.

While local journos were admiring the budget crossover, Renault gave a sneak peek at the upcoming facelifted Koleos.

The original Koleos - also known as the QM5 - was designed by Renault, engineered by Nissan and produced by Renault Samsung in South Korea. The new model features what looks like significantly revised sheetmetal, and will reportedly be launched in India before the rest of the world, as a Samsung in Korea and as a Renault everywhere else. Underpinned by the same platform as the Nissan Qashqai, Rogue and X-Trail, the Koleos offers a range of two-liter fours burning either gasoline or diesel.

We'll be keeping an eye out for Renault to drop the full spectrum of images and details in the near future. But in the meantime, our friends at Indian Autos Blog sent us these shots taken at the unveiling, which you can view in the gallery below, beside the current model in the gallery below that.

Renault previews facelifted Koleos in India originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault Samsung previews new SM7 [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Renault, South Korea

2012 Renault Samsung SM7 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Start naming Korean automakers. Ready? Go! Okay, there's Hyundai, of course. And its sister company Kia. Daewoo's been taken over entirely by GM. That's it, right? Almost. Don't forget Renault Samsung.

The French automaker produces its own line of vehicles in South Korea in partnership with electronics giant Samsung. The lineup includes the QM5 (also known as the Renault Koleos), the small SM3 and SM3 CE, the slightly larger SM5 and this, the new SM7.

The new top-of-the-line Samsung was previewed in concept form earlier this year, and is now ready for its production roll-out. The model it replaces offered 2.3-liter and 3.5-liter versions of Nissan's ubiquitous VQ engine, and the new model is likely to follow a similar path. The sedan is based on the Nissan Maxima, and may very well be exported outside of its Korean market as a proper Renault. Check out the images in the high-res gallery below and the video after the jump for a closer look.

Continue reading Renault Samsung previews new SM7 [w/video]

Renault Samsung previews new SM7 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flame-Surfaced Computers? Chris Bangle reportedly signs deal with Samsung

Aaron Richardson — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Technology, BMW, Design/Style

Chris Bangle, the controversial former head of BMW design, has joined forces with Samsung to oversee the design of notebooks and phones. Bangle, you may recall, left BMW in 2009 after 17 years to focus on his own design projects.

According to Samsung, Bangle is operating as an outside influence on the design of their phones and laptops and will still work on his own projects outside of the company. The American designer set up Chris Bangle and Associates shortly after leaving BMW, and has been working on designing yachts and electronics ever since.

Samsung says the move is an effort to emphasize its new focus on the design of their electronics and move the brand upmarket. Samsung says it will set up a European design center specifically for Bangle and send 10 or so researchers from the company to work with him on new design ideas.

[Source: JoongAng Daily]

Flame-Surfaced Computers? Chris Bangle reportedly signs deal with Samsung originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen reconfirms EVs for 2013, next-generation vehicles to reduce weight

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Volkswagen, Electric

Speaking outside its Electronics Research Lab in Palo Alto, California, Volkswagen chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn reconfirmed the automaker's commitment to bring electric vehicles to market in 2013, beginning with the eGolf compact and eUp! city car.

Drawing a faint parallel to the original Beetle, Winterkorn told the assembled media that "Volkswagen is working on the electric car for everyone." And one of the first electrified V-Dubs will be its bread-and-butter Golf hatchback.

"The automotive industry is reinventing itself," Winterkorn continued, "and Volkswagen will be the first automaker to mass produce the electric car for everyone." VW believes that electric vehicles are the next great revolution in the automobile, and in order to achieve its goal of becoming the world's top automaker by 2018, it believes it has to dominate the EV segment.

In addition to bringing two EVs to market in the next three years, the Touareg Hybrid (shown above) is being produced, with the hybrid Golf and Jetta due later that year and the hybrid Passat following in 2012. All of which VW considers to be interim products.

Although current battery technology has limited the eGolf to a 100-mile range when fitted with a 26.5 kWh battery pack, Winterkorn asserts that "Our customers are not willing to compromise. They expect the same thing from a standard [internal-combustion engine] Golf as they would from an electric Golf." But until its partnerships with Samsung, Toshiba and other battery manufacturers pan out and develop lighter, smaller, less expensive and higher capacity batteries, they'll have their work cut out for them.

When asked what VW plans to do about vehicle weight, Winterkorn rattled off a litany of advanced materials - from carbon fiber to magnesium - and told Autoblog that the next generation of Volkswagen products will undergo a weight loss program.

[Image: Sean Gallup/Getty]

Volkswagen reconfirms EVs for 2013, next-generation vehicles to reduce weight originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2009 Nissan Murano... except it's not

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Nissan, Renault

Click on the photo for a high-res gallery of the Renault Koleos Concept

Spy photos taken during hot weather testing in Spain were widely circulated on the net yesterday and identified as the next generation Nissan Murano. However, a closer look at the photos reveals that this vehicle is in fact the production version of a vehicle that was shown by Renault at last fall's Paris Motor Show called the Koleos concept.

The Koleos is being developed by Renault in conjunction with Korean partner Samsung. It is expected to be produced by Samsung in 2008 for sale under both the Renault and Samsung brands.The platform was developed with Nissan and it would not be surprising to learn that it's shared with the Nissan Rogue, which was revealed in production form at the Detroit Auto Show last January.

[Source: The Car Connection, Renault]

Gallery: Renault Koleos Concept

Spy Shots: 2009 Nissan Murano... except it's not originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault planning five new upscale models by 2010

Noah Joseph — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Renault

Renault is planning to expand into the upscale market with five new models within the next three years, sources have confirmed. Previous ventures upmarket didn't turn out so well for the French automaker, but it's determined to make another go of it with the hopes of cashing in on the market for pricier vehicles.

The first new model slated for production is a compact crossover previewed by the Kaleos concept (above) unveiled last year in Paris. It's been developed with input from Samsung Motors, Renault's South Korean subsidiary. Samsung is also expected to contribute to the development of a large sedan and a large SUV for Renault as well. Further premium models could be niche vehicles made in limited quantities, and Renault would be smart to start cashing in on its Formula One success with something other than a special-edition Clio or Megane before their racing prowess evaporates.

Management admits that previous upscale models from Renault have been less than successful, humorously referring to the dismal Vel Satis as "the automotive equivalent of wearing a suit without removing the hanger." For a time, Renault had considered acquiring a premium brand for itself, but such ventures didn't pan out, and apparently Infiniti, which came along with the Nissan acquisition, wasn't enough to satiate Ghosn's appetite for the upscale.

[Source: Just-Auto]

Renault planning five new upscale models by 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Apr 2007 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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