Renault has started work on the next generation Renault Koleos SUV which will be underpinned by the modern CMF (Common Module Family) platform jointly developed by Renault and Nissan. The current generation Koleos failed to make a dent in its segment, both in Europe and India. The next generation Koleos is expected by 2016, meaning the current Koleos will have been around for nearly nine years by the time the fresh model arrives. It was launched internationally in 2008, while the facelifted Indian debut happened earlier this year. During its 6 year lifespan, Renault has updated the first-gen Koleos with two facelifts and new features to maintain its freshness in the market. With rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Mitsubishi Outlander already in their latest generation, it’s high time that Renault commences work on a replacement if it wants to succeed in a highly competitive segment. So lets have a look on what’s on the cards for the upcoming Renault Koleos.
Updated on 9th September 2014
The first spy shots of the 2016 Renault Koleos are out. The SUV has been spied testing in southern Europe and sees Renault’s new styling language. Elements seen through the heavy camouflage show that there is a lot of influence from the 2011 Renault R-Space Concept, especially how the window design on the side. Check out the spy shots of the SUV below:
2011 Renault R-Space Concept
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Updated on 1st August 2014
The Next-Gen Renault Koleos:
Speaking to an Austrailian website Car Advice, the Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar said, “The Koleos is getting a little old, It’s getting towards the tail end of its life-cycle. But we won’t see a new one until 2016.”
The next generation Koleos will share the bulk of its mechanical components with the new Nissan Rogue (sold as the X-Trail in Europe). It will ditch the current model’s Samsung bones and ride on the Common Module Family platform that is designed to underpin the bulk of Renault-Nissan’s new models over the coming years.
Under the hood, the Koleos will offer both petrol and diesel engines. Buyers will be able to choose between a six-speed manual transmission and a dual-clutch unit, and most models will come with start-stop technology in order to keep fuel economy in check. Both two- and four-wheel drive variants of the Koleos will be offered.
Redesigned last year, the Koleos has posted disappointing sales figure since it was introduced in 2008 but the Renault believes the hot-selling Captur crossover will give the next-gen model a noticeable boost in markets all around the world. “The Captur is good for our SUV product business. I think that Captur will also help with one of the biggest challenges around Koleos, and that is its awareness – or lack thereof,” explained Justin Hocevar.
The current Koleos on sale in India has struggled to deliver the exclusivity and performance one expects from a Rs 25 Lakh SUV. The next Generation update is widely expected to be a cosmetic change with the powertrain remaining the same hence the sluggish response might not be addressed. It would take some major overhauling for the Renault Koleos if it is expected to take on the likes of, Toyota Fortuner, Mercedes B-class and Audi Q3 S.
Source: Car Advice
Rendering Couretsy: Automobile Magazine
