2008 Renault Koleos: that is what happens when you take Nissan's R&D combined with Renault's current exterior and interior design style. The little car-based crossover SUV is not just controversial or, say, innovative-looking (especially, if you consider that the Koleos concept car was first presented to the public about two years ago). It is just plain ugly.
Renault will probably target the new car against recently unveiled Citroen C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007 crossovers based on 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander. Unfortunately, the crossover shares its platform with considerably smaller (especially, when you get inside the car) Nissan Xtrail, so it will rather have to compete against cheaper Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Set to be unveiled at the upcoming Motor Show in Geneva, the car will be available with either two- or all-wheel-drive, where the system will transfer up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels if it detects slippage. The car will be motivated by a 175 hp 2.5-liter four-banger mated to a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gear box. Some markets will also see the Koleos equipped with a 2.0-liter diesel engine with common-rail injection system and a water-cooled variable-geometry turbo.
Available in two flavors, producing 150 hp and 175 hp of power respectively, the oil-burner will save you a couple of pennies on fuel but will also decrease the vehicle's ground clearance from its normal 206 mm to less appealing 188 mm, significantly reducing its off-road capabilities.
The price is yet to be announced but it's more or less clear that for the money you'll get a compact crossover SUV with questionable dynamics, and rather mediocre fuel economy. Girls will love it, though.
See also: 2009 Kia Borrego midsize SUV presented at NAIAS
Saturday, March 08, 2008
2008 Renault Koleos: the ugly little bastard
Saturday, October 27, 2007
World Series by Renault Clio Renault Sport
To coincide with the World Series by Renault meeting at France’s Magny-Cours racetrack which took place the last weekend, Renault Sport Technologies presented the “World Series by Renault” Clio Renault Sport, a unique celebration of this increasingly popular top-class motor sports event. This exceptional car emphasizes pure performance and motoring passion, combining highly distinctive looks with true sports performance, largely thanks to a new gearbox staging, which will be appearing across the Clio Renault Sport range from October. In France, the “World Series by Renault” Clio Renault Sport is priced at €21,900. Order books open across the Renault dealer network in week 39 for the UK and in week 43 for France, Spain and Italy.
World Series by Renault
Under a motor sports concept unique in Europe, World Series by Renault events have drawn a total audience of 1,500,000 since the first meeting was held in 2005. The events combine a quality sports programme with other features appealing to a broader public than motor sports fans alone. To coincide with the World Series by Renault event at the Magny-Cours racetrack which took place the last weekend, Renault Sport Technologies presented the “World Series by Renault” Clio Renault Sport. This signature edition features a highly distinctive appearance, with black satin-finish wheels, dark anthracite hubcaps, and special “World Series By Renault” décor.
High performance with new gearbox staging
The “World Series by Renault” Clio Renault Sport makes the very most of the expressive personality of the 16-valve 2-litre normally aspirated engine, which is both supple (peak torque of 215 Nm at 5500 rpm) and powerful (200 hp [145kW] at 7250 rpm). The engine is coupled through a TL4 six-speed manual gearbox developed under the Renault-Nissan Alliance. On the fifth and sixth gears, the staging has been extended to improve vehicle acoustics, under motorway driving conditions in particular. The car reaches a top speed of 223 km/h. This gearbox adaptation will be carried across to all Clio Renault Sport versions from October.
An exceptionally technical yet affordable car
Like all models in the Clio Renault Sport range, this new signature edition features sophisticated aerodynamics, with extractors on the front wings and a rear diffuser derived from Formula One practice. Cup chassis and Recaro bucket seats are available on option. The “World Series By Renault” Clio Renault Sport is available in a choice of three opaque colours (glacier white, dynamo blue, toro red) and two metal colours (profond black, monako blue). In France, the car is priced at €21,900. Order books open across the Renault dealer network in October (week 39 for the UK and in week 43 for France, Spain and Italy).
Source: Renault
