Renault-Samsung Shows SM7 Pre-Production Concept

After last month's teaser sketch, Renault's Korean subsidiary Samsung unveiled the SM7 Concept at the Seoul Motor Show. In essence, it’s a pre-production design study that previews the next generation of Renault Samsung's flagship model, the SM7.

The production version is set to be introduced in South Korea in the second half of the year as a replacement for the current SM7, which is based on the aging Nissan J31 platform (also used by the Asian Nissan Teana and the North American Nissan Maxima). The new SM7, however, will be based on an elongated SM5 platform.

The D-segment sedan has been developed in collaboration with the Renault-Nissan Alliance. The SM7 Concept's lines are modern with the front dominated by a massive trapezoidal grille, a bulging hood and teardrop-shaped LED headlights. The car's profile features a third lateral window, an element also found on the current SM7. The rear features two large oval exhausts, but its most striking pieces are the thin boomerang-shaped taillights united by a very long third brake light.

Although the car premiered in Seoul, there are no interior pictures available and technical information is missing as well. The Samsung SM7 will compete on the Korean market against the Hyundai Grandeur and the Kia K7.

Renault currently sells in Europe the Latitude, which is a rebadged SM5. When the Latitude was launched, the company stressed that it was not a replacement for the VelSatis. This makes one wonder whether the French company could bring the SM7 to Europe and badge it as a VelSatis or a Safrane.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Sebastian Vettel Wins Exciting Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix

It has been some time since we last watched such an exciting Formula 1 race as the one held on Sunday at the Istanbul Park circuit. Even though the weather did not play any role and the winner's position was not threatened at any time, it was an eventful race. Behind Sebastian Vettel, who has won three out of four GP’s this year, anything was possible.

Mark Webber crossed the finish line in second place, with the Australian managing to overtake Ferrari's Alonso with seven laps to go, after the Spaniard held the second position for a large part of the race. Still, for Alonso and Ferrari, this is the best result so far this season.

The spectacular track, combined with the fact that drivers took full advantage of their KERS and DRS systems, made overtaking very common, right from the beginning of the race. Rosberg took a great start from third, managing to pass Webber before the first corner, but the German couldn't keep the Australian behind him for long, with the Red Bull driver regaining second place after five laps. He kept the position until the middle of the race, when Alonso overtook him as well.

The most exciting racing moments involved the race between the two McLarens, Rosberg and Massa, with continuous changes in the hierarchy. Hamilton managed to finish fourth, ahead of Rosberg and Button, with Lotus Renault's Heidfeld and Petrov taking seventh and eighth place respectively. The last drivers to score points were Toro Rosso's Buemi and Sauber's Kobayashi, with the Japanese benefitting from his three-stop strategy to climb from 23rd to 10th place.

Felipe Massa finished eleventh after losing valuable time at his fourth pitstop because of a problem with one of his rear wheels. Michael Schumacher had a poor race as well, finishing only 12th after breaking his front wing at the beginning of the race following a contact with Petrov. After the Turkish GP win, Vettel consolidates his advance in the overall standings, with a total of 93 points, followed by Hamilton (59 p) and Webber (55 p). Team standings are dominated by Red Bull, with 148 points, followed by McLaren (105 p) and Ferrari (65 p).

By Dan Mihalascu

Photos: Red Bull

_______________________________________________________________________

PHOTO GALLERY

Report: Renault Captur to Spawn two Production Models within the next two Years

It seems Renault's funky Captur concept that premiered in Geneva won't remain just another design study, as the French automaker is planning to build two production models inspired by the small crossover, according company insiders quoted by Autocar. The first version will be a small five-door crossover similar in size to the Nissan Juke, with which it will share the platform.

The other will be a three-door version with different design features – think of something in the likes of the three-door Range Rover Evoque, but on a smaller scale. The three-door version is rumored to feature a coupe-like body, which could be the first of its kind in this class and will represent Renault in the premium supermini segment, where it will compete with models like the Citroën DS3 and Mini Cooper.

According to the report, the deadline for the launch of the production versions is 2013 for the five-door model with the three-door model following shortly after.

Each Renault concept car revealed after the 2010 Paris Motor show illustrates a what the company describes as the “cycle of life”, with the Captur being inspired by the “explore” theme. The next design study will be a van inspired by the theme of “work” and hint at the next generation Kangoo. It is expected to debut at the Frankfurt auto show this autumn.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY