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

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Renault Samsung Motors Rolls Out Flagship SM7, Releases New Photos and Video

The South Korean unit of Renault has come out with full details on its new SM7 flagship sedan a week before the car officially goes on sale in the country.

The French carmaker, which bought a 70% stake in Samsung Motors back in 2000 to spearhead the brand's expansion efforts in the developing Asian region, said the SM7 will have a "radical effect on the big saloon car market".

Developed over a time of 32 months, with R&D investments reaching some 400 billion South Korean won (€207 million), Renault Samsung Motors' new sedan model enters the local market seven years after the launch of the original, Nissan Maxima-based SM7 in 2004.

The new SM7 has grown in size offering improved interior space over its predecessor. According to the company, knee room for rear passengers is up by more than 70mm over the previous SM7.

Renault Samsung Motor's newest creation is powered by the third generation of the Nissan VQ engine series. The SM7 can be specified with one of two VQ engines: a 2.5-liter V6 delivering 190HP and 243Nm (179.3 lb-ft) that returns a combined fuel economy of 9lt/100km (26.1 mpg US), and a 3.5-liter V6 producing 258HP and 330Nm (243.4 lb-ft), which returns 10.4lt/100km (22.6 mpg US) on the combined cycle.

Both engines are hooked up to a standard six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift function.

Renault Samsung Motors CEO Jean-Marie Hurtiger had this to say about the firm's new flagship model:

"[The] All-New SM7 is Renault Samsung Motors' new flagship and delivers everything customers expect of a big premium saloon, including refined, luxurious styling, exceptional quality, and outstanding comfort and driving pleasure thanks to the contribution of the Renault-Nissan Alliance's world class technological expertise. All-New SM7 will set new standards in Korea's big family saloon car market."

The company said prices for new SM7 range from 30 to 39 million Korean won (€19,724 to €25,641), while that of the previous SM7 ranged from 28.8 to 37.7 million Korean won (€18,935 to €24,786).

Sources: Renault-Samsung, via Autoblog.it

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Renault Koleos SUV Refreshed for the 2012 Model Year

It’s only three years old, but it’s apparently time for the Renault Koleos compact SUV to receive its first facelift. The changes include an exterior makeover and new interior trim, plus noticeable CO2 and fuel consumption savings in the case of the crossover model’s range of diesel powerplants.

The first thing you’ll notice on the updated model is the brand new fascia, evidently inspired by the newly launched Latitude sedan, which like the Koleos, is the product of Renault Samsung Motors in Busan, South Korea.

The styling changes up front include new headlights, a larger single frame grille with chrome accents plus a redesigned bumper, fenders and hood. Other exterior tweaks include the new exterior mirrors that now incorporate LED indicators, fresh alloy wheel designs and the introduction of the pictured “Cayenne Orange” finish.

Inside, the Koleos benefits from a new selection of upholsteries and trims and the introduction of a restyled speedometer housing and display.

Depending on market, the latest Koleos is available with the 150HP or 175HP version of the firm’s M9R diesel engine, or with the 170HP (TR25) petrol engine.

For the new model year, updates to the range of diesel engines and transmissions have resulted in lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions with the two-wheel drive version powered by the dCi 150 engine now rated at 148g/km and the dCi 175 unit at166g/km.

The Koleos is also available with a Nissan-developed all-wheel drive system.

The French firm’s crossover is offered in 40 countries on five continents and is produced at the Renault Samsung Motors plant in Busan, South Korea.

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