2015 Renault Samsung SM5 Nova (Latitude) Launched in Korea

"We are targeting to sell more than 30,000 units of the SM5 Nova this year, with 60 percent of them to be LPG vehicles," Park Dong-hoon, sales chief and vice president of Renault Samsung Motors, said during a press conference.

You've probably never heard of the Renault Samsung SM5, at least not under this name. However, if you live in Europe and are a fan of the Renault brand, you may know it as the Latitude, a flagship sedan for the French automaker.

This is one of the most popular models in South Korea, with over r 900,000 units sold since its debut. To achieve its high sales goal, Renault Samsung has decided to target the premium LPG-fueled taxi market. “The company expects 40 percent of SM5 Nova’s sales to come from the taxi segment,” Park said.

Besides the fuel switch, the other major change is at the front. The SM5 Nova boasts new headlights with a DRL strip at the bottom and a new grille, which we thing has been designed to work for Renault as well. Cosmetic change also include new paint and wheel finishes. Inside, the SM5 sedan “mirroring system” that displays smartphone imagery to the car's monitor wirelessly.

According to the manufacturer's official website, the LPG version uses a 2-liter engine that delivers 140 PS, which is also available as a pure gas burner. The range is completed by the SM5 TCe, which uses Renault's 1.6 turbo engine to deliver 190 hp and by the 1.5 dCi diesel making 110 hp, which seems to be linked to an Xtronic gearbox.