Korean 4x4 crossover for Australia

THE FRENCH, JAPANESE and Koreans have got together to manufacture a crossover four-wheel-drive for release in Australia in September.

In a unique collaboration between Renault, Nissan and Renault Samsung Motors, the four wheel drive Koleos will be manufactured in Busan, Korea in what the companies call a close collaboration between teams from each of the brands.

Designed to be as good around town as the highway or the bush, the Koleos is the first true product of the Renault-Nissan global alliance.

Renault managing director Rudi Koenig called the crossover “the result of a unique blend of global engineering, design and manufacturing resources”.

Koleos, which launched in Europe in June will, according to Renault, offer a unique standard of safety and comfort, with practical features like the split-opening clamshell-type tailgate to assist cargo area access. Interior fittings include an air-chilled glove box and bags of storage with folding tables for back seat passengers. The vehicle also has a 60/40 split rear bench seat that can be folded flat from the boot by the flip of a plastic clip. A ski trap is also fitted.

Power units will include both petrol and diesel with the latest generation 2.0 dCi Euro 4 diesel engine coupled to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

A 2.5 litre powerplant will also be available with a manual six-speed gearbox or a variable transmission (CVT). Euro NCAP has not been applied yet but dual front, side and curtain airbags are fitted on all models to produce high safety standards.