by carlos pefaur
Herald Staff

Renault is seeking to create a new vision among the utility sports car with the launch of the Koleos, merging 4WD technologies developed by Nissan with the highest comfort and security standards. Koleos is the first all-terrain vehicle designed by Renault, and it embodies the will of the brand to create cars with different personalities, but which share the same goal: to enhance driving pleasures and life onboard, and to guarantee the highest comfort and safety on the market.
Designed by Renault, developed by Nissan and manufactured in the Renault Samsung Motors plant in Busan, Korea, Renault Koleos is the product of the close cooperation between the teams of the carmakers within the Renault-Nissan alliance. It is also the first vehicle of the brand in Argentina that offers a three-year or 100,000-km warrantee.
Most people share the idea that a 4WD vehicle is a synonym of complexity, but the Koleos proves them wrong. One of its main characteristics is its flexibility and the speed in which the driver becomes familiar with the vehicle.
With its 4.52-m length and 1.85-m width, Renault Koleos has excellent dimensions for all of its functions. Its size allows it to be driven smoothly in urban and off-road environments. Renault Koleos is a crossover that, bearing in mind the stylistic lines of the 4WD universe, preserves a balanced and dynamic look.
The complete equipment contributes to facilitating driving and also reminds us that the Koleos is still a Renault: it features door-opening system and hands-free card start, as well as the automatic lights and windshield wipers. It also has cruise control.
The controls of the windows,  mirrors and central lock are located on the driver's door.
The driver's position is ergonomic. Renault has paid special attention to this, sitting the driver on one of the best positions in the segment, to provide an excellent frontal and high visibility.
The rear view is also good, with a horizontal view angle that is among the best in its segment. The ideal position can be easily adjusted as the driver's seat can be electronically regulated. The steering wheel is also adjustable both in height and depth,

The Koleos has a refined interior, formed of a wide space in the front, large glass surfaces and a panoramic solar roof that provides a bright environment.
Being the first Renault with a Bose audio system, it provides a hi-fi experience as expected for a vehicle with this quality. The high-tech equipment can also play music stored in a personal mp3 device.
There are several practical compartments inside of the vehicle. The load capacity of the boot is of 450 litres, and it can be increased by using the Easy Estate system, a lever that allows us to fold the back seats forward. To hide any valuable objects, it has additional compartments under the floor.
Meanwhile, when the lower part of the boot is opened, it works as a useful platform.
Renault Koleos is a Crossover with the roots of sedans, hatchbacks and 4WDs. Koleos tries to get the best out of each of them to improve its versatility and enhance the driver's experience under all possible circumstances.
Whether in the city, on the highway or off road, the body of the Koleos is successful in providing a feeling of security and control. Koleos has a Pseudo Mac Pherson front suspension and an independent suspension in the back, as the one featured in the new X-Trail.
Koleos is adapted for an all-terrain use, thanks to its 206-mm height from the ground. It is the first vehicle of the French carmaker to have 4WD from the scratch.
With a true 4WD performance, the Koleos is efficient on all surfaces. Its attack angle and electronic transmission improve the performance on the most difficult surfaces: mud, wind, ice, sand or any other you might come across.
Mounted on an ESP, the All Mode 4WD-i guarantees the optimal adherence thanks to the precise distribution of the traction between the four wheels. To face the most extreme surfaces, control will always be yours.
Selecting the 4WD Lock position, the traction is distributed equally between the front and the back wheels reaching the best adherence and security.
Renault Koleos is available with a 2.5 16V engine, which develops 170hp and a torque of 226Nm, mounted on a CVT six gear transmission.
For its part, Koleos 4WD with the CVT six-speed gearbox reaches 185km/h with reaching 100km/h in only 10.3 seconds, with an average consumption of 9.5 litres /100 km.
Koleos means the introduction of a general brand in the all-terrain market, but thanks to the helping hand of Nissan, it will sure make a good impression, as it is an impressive multipurpose and agile vehicle.