Frankfurt show: Renault Koleos to move up a notch

RENAULT’S next-generation Koleos SUV is set to get an extra row of seats and – perhaps – a new name when it rolls out of Renault Samsung Motors’ South Korean factory in the next couple of years.

To be built on the Renault Nissan Alliance’s Common Family Module (CFM) architecture that also underpins the new Nissan X-Trail and other models from both Renault and Nissan, the next Koleos will be about 130mm longer, thus moving it out of its in-between position in the medium SUV segment and firmly into D-segment territory.

Renault executive vice president Jerome Stoll said at the Frankfurt motor show that the replacement for the current Koleos would be about 4650mm long, compared with the current model’s 4520mm.

In Australia, where the Koleos was launched in 2008, received a major facelift in 2011 and then another, minor change just recently, only five seats are on offer.

Mr Stoll indicated that a name change was under discussion, although nothing had been decided.

“We have to be careful because launching new names is very easy on PowerPoint,” he said.

So far this year, Renault Australia has sold 1149 Koleos SUVs, up 22 per cent. It is the brand’s second best seller behind Clio.

The arrival timing for the new-generation SUV is yet to be confirmed, but as it has just received a facelift, it could be expected to be at least a year away, maybe two.

In Europe, stretching the Koleos makes sense as it puts distance between it and the newly released, Qashqai-based Kadjar.

Kadjar has been ruled out for Australia, which will stick with the current Koleos until the replacement rolls around.

Apart from South Korea, the Koleos replacement will be built in China for that market.