Test drive by Renault Koleos since 2008 SUV

Count Koleostro

A full -wheel drive car of increased cross -country ability for France is nonsense
The last 100 years in this country everything is so in order with roads that there is no need to build obviously more complex machines with a 4x4 wheel formula. And if not for the fashion, the French would never have gone to create SUV. But not in vain they say that now in the automotive industry the main ones are not engineers and even more so designers, but marketer.
Marketing dictates. Everyone else agrees and silently diverge in the jobs to think about the task. But if there is a need to create production for a country in which there is a fashion for all -wheel drive, but there is no real sphere of application, then it is best to call those who really need such a car to the allies. And therefore, Renault acted very correctly, having come up with placing production in Korea, on its (80.1%) Renault-Samsung Motors plant. And Koreans are necessary for such a machine in the domestic market, and even more so for export. After all, crossovers perfectly position any company in foreign markets, since the fashion for them is universal.
Staging work on a completely new product for itself, Renault was not limited only to the Korean partner. And she called to the co -authors of Nissan, who has long been able to make a very good 4x4 technique. As a result, the QASHQAI platform was taken as a basis for the design, the transmission achievements from the X-TRIIL, the appearance was entrusted to the master Le Keman, and the Koreans took up the reconstruction of the plant.
The result of joint work is called Renault Koleos. By our standards, it is classified as a car of increased cross -country ability. The rest of the world calls him a crossover. The riding presentation of the car took place in Morocco. Apparently, the French perceive the Moroccan lanes as a reference off -road. Two days on graders showed a car from the best side. Firstly, the French in the traditional struggle for charm achieved amazing sound insulation. No matter how he knocked the gravel on the bottom, no matter how he tried the sand in the wheel arches, Koleos remained quiet. The cabin has comfort, beauty and no sounds from the outside. This is a very serious achievement. Secondly, the French came up with a lot of security issues. Judging by the lack of creaks on Moroccan hills, the hardness of the body is excellent. Apparently, the car is completely ready for five stars in EURONCAP. And besides, the ESP electronic collar never allowed the car in the skid. Each time, anticipating the provocation of the driver, quickly evaluating the insufficient clutch of the tires with the sandy path of the natives, the inner mind of the car forcibly reduced engine speed and straightened the trajectory. No matter how you try, you will still remain a decent driver. Thirdly, the international set of engines will allow each market to appear in the best form. In France, the public will favorably react to the Renault M9R diesel engine with a volume of 2.0 liters and a capacity of 150 hp.
In accordance with European fashion, it is aggregated only with 6-speed transmission automatic and manual transmission. Practice shows that there is no much sense in the sixth gear, but it requires marketing. And the KoleOS gasoline engine Japanese Nissan TR25 with a volume of 2.5 liters and a capacity of 170 hp. But the set of boxes is already different.
The mechanical is also Japanese and also 6-speed, and instead of the CVT machine. Fourth, the car has a very successful setting of the transmission. To show how skillfully the electronics blocks the hanged wheels, allowing you to go on the three, or even two wheels that remained in the hook, near the journalistic camp, the test organizers built a special obstacle in the form of a very crossed area and relying everyone to look at the car leaning into zenith , nevertheless, which did not lose the ability to ride even in such an original state.
Fifth, the car has a perfectly made salon. The quality of this level on Korean machines is a breakthrough. In addition to beauty, convenience and ergonomics at a very high level, the materials of the finish, the details are meticulously fitted and associated. Moreover, the French themselves reacted to this as the proper and did not even emphasize. But they praised the Bose audio system with might and main. And rightfully. It sounds great. The French extreme joy about this is explained not only by excellent sound, but also by the fact: they are very flattering that Bose finally began to cooperate with Renault.
Of the features of the car, perhaps two are interesting. The first different size of the road clearance depending on the engine. With a gasoline engine it is 206 mm, and with 188 mm diesel. The second hinged rear side. The meaning of such a solution is not very clear. But he relates to a car with American SUVs and other bulky equipment. It withstands this rear side of 200 kg, but it becomes more difficult to reach into the depths of the trunk.
Such a correct marketing solution as Koleos will force many potential buyers around the world, and in France in particular, look at Renault in a new way. Koleos will come to our market with a price intention to dwell at one million rubles.

Competitors
Touareg Light
Tiguan is almost the most anticipated novelty from VW lately. The interest in her turned out to be so great that long before the official release of the model, the Germans launched her copy in the virtual space. As a result, today they already have about 100,000 orders for an SUV. However, such popularity is due not only to the traditional love of Europeans for the above brand. This car is modern, high -tech, convenient and safe, so, ceteris paribus, customers give preference to him.
The first -born
Like Tiguan, Ford Kuga has every chance of becoming one of the most popular SUVs. By the end of the year, Russian representatives of the company intend to implement about 1000 copies of the model. The car has a pleasant appearance, a decently decorated salon and relatively good off -road qualities. However, unlike the same Tiguan Kuga is equipped with the only possible 2-liter 136-horsepower turbodiesel aggregated with a 6-speed manual transmission. At least for now.
New forester
The Japanese completely remade this car, however, the main differences between the Subaru Forester and the vast majority of its competitors remained the same: the presence of opposite power units in the line of opposite power units, as well as a permanent all -wheel drive system. Alas, all this is not in the best way affects the cost. In our country, the price of an SUV starts from a mark of 923,000 rubles. Almost the same, for example, is asked for the top version of Ford Kuga. However, with all the wealth of choice, a certain shortage of machines of this class still exists, so the new Forester unnoticed in the market will not remain.
Alexander Pikulenko
Photo of the manufacturer
 

Source: MKOMBILA magazine [July/2008]