Renault's longstanding MPV experience combined with the 4x4 technology already proven on existing Alliance models, ensures that its all-new 4x4 crossover, Koleos, benefits from a rich heritage of expertise.
Koleos is Renault's first-ever entry into the growing crossover segment, boasting MPV levels of comfort and interior space combined with robust exterior styling and genuine off-road ability. Its practicality is evident in its split-opening tailgate, 70 litres of stowage space and impressive boot volume of up to 1,380 litres with the rear seats folded. Off-road, Koleos excels with innovative features such as Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control system, the 'all mode 4x4i' system developed by Nissan for the X-Trail (which shares the same platform with Koleos), and approach and departure angles of 27 and 31 degrees respectively.
As well as the four-wheel drive, Koleos will also be available in permanent two-wheel drive form appealing to those who enjoy its distinctive, crossover looks and spacious MPV-like versatility complete with high visibility driving position, but have no need to use the vehicle off-road.
Performance engines and value for money prices
Renault Koleos is offered with a choice of two diesel 2.0-litre Alliance engines, the dCi 150 and the dCi 175. Unusually for a 4x4 crossover, Koleos is available with six-speed gearbox and in manual or automatic transmission.
Prices start from £17,995 for the Koleos Dynamique dCi 150 4x2 manual, rising to £24, 695 for the Privilge dCi 175 4x4 manual.
CO2 emissions for Koleos range between 191 and 221 g/km, with Koleos versions falling into Band F for CO2emissions.
Koleos beats the competition
Renault may be a newcomer to the 4x4 crossover segment, but it already beats some of its closest competitors in a number of areas including price, standard equipment, boot space, approach/departure angle and warranty.
Expected best-seller, Koleos Dynamique S dCi 150 4x4 is priced at £20,495 - £1,295 cheaper than the equivalent Honda CR-V SE and £1,275 less than the Tiguan SE. Koleos Dynamique dCi 150 4x4 beats Ford's Kuga Zetec on price coming in at £18,995 compared to KugaĠs £20,495 - £1,500 more than the Renault.
Koleos' standard equipment list is also impressive, especially compared to its rivals who can only offer features that are standard on Koleos, such as fog lamps and enhanced comfort features youĠd expect on a 4x4 such as cruise control, as options.
Renault's continual improvements in the quality and durability of its products are further enforced with Koleos' three-year, 100,000 miles warranty offering complete peace of mind. Some competitors just can't match Renault Koleos in terms of warranty with the VW Tiguan, Ford Kuga, Toyota RAV4 available with three-year, 60,000 miles warranty and the Honda CR-V offering three-year, 90,000 miles.
The approach and departure angle, at 27degrees and 31degrees respectively, offered by Koleos is amongst the best available on the market and substantially better than some competitors, positioning Koleos as one of the most versatile, stylish and practical vehicles in its segment. Ford Kuga's approach and departure angle is 21degrees and 25degrees respectively, whilst VW Tiguan offers 18degrees and 25degrees.
Comfort and space worthy of an MPV
Koleos has everything required to travel in outstanding comfort, and particular attention has been paid to one of the most essential comfort-related preconditions: effective damping of both mechanical and road noise.
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The dCi engine represents a benchmark in the domain of minimising vibrations and noise thanks to its balancer shafts and twin-mass flywheel damper. Meanwhile, road noise has been slashed thanks to a package of special features and soundproofing, including an acoustic windscreen and engine subframe filtering, as well as the presence of soundproofing materials between the engine compartment and cabin, under the floor and in the wheel arches. These solutions combine to give Koleos a genuine edge on the acoustic comfort front.
Koleos passengers are also pampered in terms of cabin space, including record headroom and kneeroom for front occupants in the SUV, 4x4 and crossover categories, while rear passengers benefit from a pleasing balance between vertical and transversal space. Given Koleos' contained overall length, access to both the front and rear seats is astonishingly easy, with ample room for legs and hips alike.
The Renault range has long boasted the biggest panoramic opening sunroofs available on the market and the Koleos sunroof features a total, transparent glazed area of 0.75 square metres which is unmatched in the SUV and crossover market. For optimal thermal comfort, the high density-weave sunblind can be pulled shut to any position. The sunroof itself comes with an anti-pinch function and, thanks to the hands-free card, automatically closes if the driver walks away from the car. The combination of a brightly-lit cabin and the promise of wind-in-the-hair motoring with clear views of the sky overhead stand out as one of Renault Koleos' truly appealing features.
To ensure first class travelling comfort for all occupants, Koleos is equipped with an automatic dual-zone heating and climate control system that incorporates specific vents for the rear seats. The driver and front passenger can consequently select the cabin temperature of their choice, while rear passengers, who also benefit from sunblinds, can adjust ventilation using the control located at the rear of the centre console.
Music lovers will be won over by the comprehensive range of audio systems that are available for Koleos, including a top-end system developed by Bose¨. Specifically tailored to the acoustic properties of the cabin, it comprises a digital amplifier, seven loudspeakers and a woofer. The outstanding hi-fi quality means that occupants are able to profit from their favourite music whether it is delivered by the radio, the six-CD/MP3-compatabile multi-changer or an external source such as an iPod¨ connected to the fascia-mounted jack plug.
Driving pleasure is enhanced by an array of comfort-enhancing features, from the front and rear proximity sensors for easier parking to the automatic parking brake which is applied whenever the engine is switched off, and then automatically released when the engine is started. Koleos can also be equipped with a Carminat Navigation and Communication system incorporating three functions: a GPS navigation system with 7-inch, 16/9 screen and DVD atlas, a radio and six-CD multichanger and controls for a hands-free Bluetooth¨ telephone. The controls for these functions are located within easy reach on the centre console.
For enhanced night-time vision, Koleos is available with bi-xenon headlamps and cornering lights. These additional lights illuminate the inside of corners, thereby permitting the driver to spot a possible hazard or obstacle much sooner. This feature vastly improves the field of vision in risk situations (junctions, corners) and consequently enhances night-time safety and driving comfort.
Koleos: benefits from Alliance's extensive active and passive safety expertise
Safety is a fundamental feature built into all Renault models, and Koleos has been engineered to provide impeccable performance on both the active and passive safety fronts. Its active safety is based on its carefully |
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engineered chassis and large brakes which bring the model to a standstill from 62mph in just 42 metres, one of the shortest stopping distances to be found in the SUV/crossover segment. In emergency braking situations, when taking avoidance action or when grip is lost, Koleos can count on ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), EBA (Emergency Brake Assist) and ESP with understeer control. Even before the latter kicks in, the all-wheel drive transmission control system intervenes to adjust the front-rear torque split as soon as the first signs of oversteer or understeer are detected.
The fact that Renault's range includes eight models that have been awarded the maximum five-star EuroNCAP crash test rating speaks volumes for the brand's expertise when it comes to passive safety. It goes without saying that Koleos has benefited from the years of extensive research that have gone into studying real-life accidents. Its very structure has been engineered to include programmed crumple zones both at the front and rear, while the design of the cabin's structure allows it to serve as a protective cell in the case of an accident. Furthermore, Koleos comes with a long list of equipment committed to optimising occupant protection, including six airbags (including two adaptive front airbags which adapt to the passenger's build), load limiters for the front and outer rear seat seatbelts, front seatbelt pretensioners and Isofix child seat anchorage for the outer rear seats.
The dynamic lines of a hatchback with 4x4 styling cues
Koleos' lines were designed to be both distinctive and expressive. Koleos is unmistakably a 4x4, yet its looks are in no way aggressive and its styling is appealing without being ostentatious. The front end features the logo of the brand flanked by air intakes and modern elliptical headlamps, notably the module which incorporates the bi-xenon headlamps and additional cornering lights. The side profile of Koleos - including high ground clearance and prominent wheel arches - betrays its 4x4 calling.
"Koleos has a strong personality. In our programme, it is a unique model that stands out from its rivals thanks to its raked rear screen which is suggestive of propulsion," notes Renault's Director of Design, Patrick le Quement. The distinctive lines of its hatch form a movement that flows from the bottom of the rear window to converge on the logo which sits on a gloss black finish plaque.
The cabin and driving environment are purposely intuitive and the interior design is based on a series of elegantly flowing curves. The bottom of the dashboard forms a wave-like line which gives the impression that the cowling is actually floating on the dashboard. The form of the centre console, which houses all of the vehicle's principal functions, contributes to an inescapable sense of well-being. This is further compounded by the quality of the materials selected for Koleos and by the careful attention that has been paid to the play and mating between panels and components. "The carefully-honed interior of Koleos is of a very high quality," observes Patrick le Quement. "Its graphic design is very pleasing, while special attention has been paid to perceived quality."
From launch, Renault's first 4x4 crossover is targeting a place amongst the best in its class in terms of product and service quality, an undertaking which is backed up by the same three-year or 100,000 mile warranty that covers Renault's other upper-range vehicles. This approach forms part of a global strategy aimed at both promoting brand loyalty and winning over new customers to speed up Renault's presence on the international scene and develop the sale of top-end vehicles while at the same time consolidating its flagship values, namely comfort, intuitive design and modularity.
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