Photo: Carpix
An instrument cluster sporting a mix of analogue and digital. This appears to be the leading trick Renault is preparing for the cabin of the upcoming, second-generation Koleos. We recently spied the crossover and were able to peer inside the test car, with the dashboard revealing its secrets.
It's no secret that the current Koleos C-segment mix between an SUV and an MPV hasn't been Renault's best-seller. The French carmaker isn't ready to give up on the model though and it's preparing quite a revolution for the second generation of the vehicle.
Like we said, this will start on the inside and the spied prototype shows some of the amenities Renault will throw at us. Aside from the aforementioned instrument cluster, which appears very promising, we get the company's R-Link infotainment system. Underneath the latter, the test vehicle holds the physical controls for the climate control system. As a whole, the new layout brings a rather neat air to the center stack.
Right behind the gear shifter, the Koleos prototype packs a rotary controller for the all-wheel drive system, while Renault's contrasting dashboard stitching comes to confirm this is a range-topping model.
Interestingly enough, British brand MG, which is now owned by Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor, revealed the GTS Crossover last week, with the model showing striking resemblance to the Renault Koleos, but obviously with a more modern twist. Looking at the MG GTS trying to imagine the future Koleos does sound pretty strange, but you can draw your own conclusion by checking out the pics of the MG GTS here.
The vehicle will be underpinned by Renault-Nissan's CMF-CD platform, also used on the new Nissan Qashqai. The Koleos is also expected to share its engines, transmissions and optional AWD with the Qashqai. What this means is that you'll be able to choose between 1.5 dCi and 1.6 dCi diesel engines, as well as tCe turbo downsized petrol units. The standard manual will be joined by an optional CVT gearbox.
The advanced state of the prototype's interior, as well as the age of the Koleos point to a 2015 debut. Rumors stated Renault could rename the Koleos as the Megane SUV, but while sharpening up one's naming strategy, like the German carmakers are doing, may sound legit, the aforementioned name doesn't appear to make sense.
When we drove the Renault Koleos Facelift, we came across a car that showed plenty of assets, from family friendliness to surprising road manners. Thus, Renault needs to work on the styling, as well as on the customer awareness, if they want the second-generation Koleos to outsell the outgoing model.
Like we said, this will start on the inside and the spied prototype shows some of the amenities Renault will throw at us. Aside from the aforementioned instrument cluster, which appears very promising, we get the company's R-Link infotainment system. Underneath the latter, the test vehicle holds the physical controls for the climate control system. As a whole, the new layout brings a rather neat air to the center stack.
Right behind the gear shifter, the Koleos prototype packs a rotary controller for the all-wheel drive system, while Renault's contrasting dashboard stitching comes to confirm this is a range-topping model.
The styling, a delicate topic for the Koleos
As for the exterior, we have a few up-close spy photos and yet the heavy camo covering the second-generation Koleos prototype keeps us from reaching any conclusion. The design was the weak point of the outgoing model, so this matter is more than important.Interestingly enough, British brand MG, which is now owned by Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor, revealed the GTS Crossover last week, with the model showing striking resemblance to the Renault Koleos, but obviously with a more modern twist. Looking at the MG GTS trying to imagine the future Koleos does sound pretty strange, but you can draw your own conclusion by checking out the pics of the MG GTS here.
The tech side
As for the tech side, the Koleos is expected to grow in size compared to the current model, a move allowed by the introduction of the Renault Captur compact crossover.The vehicle will be underpinned by Renault-Nissan's CMF-CD platform, also used on the new Nissan Qashqai. The Koleos is also expected to share its engines, transmissions and optional AWD with the Qashqai. What this means is that you'll be able to choose between 1.5 dCi and 1.6 dCi diesel engines, as well as tCe turbo downsized petrol units. The standard manual will be joined by an optional CVT gearbox.
The advanced state of the prototype's interior, as well as the age of the Koleos point to a 2015 debut. Rumors stated Renault could rename the Koleos as the Megane SUV, but while sharpening up one's naming strategy, like the German carmakers are doing, may sound legit, the aforementioned name doesn't appear to make sense.
When we drove the Renault Koleos Facelift, we came across a car that showed plenty of assets, from family friendliness to surprising road manners. Thus, Renault needs to work on the styling, as well as on the customer awareness, if they want the second-generation Koleos to outsell the outgoing model.
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