Renault Group's First New Model in Four Years: 'Grand Koleos'

Silent and Stable Urban Driving

Powerful Performance at High Speeds with Engine + Electric Motor

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The new 'Grand Koleos' released by Renault Korea after four years showcases their determination and effort. The spacious interior, various convenience features, and driving performance have all been meticulously refined. Renault aims to make a strong presence in the rapidly growing hybrid market, especially as electric vehicles experience a temporary slowdown in demand.

On the 27th, a test drive of about 163 km was conducted with the Grand Koleos Esprit Alpine trim, starting from the Renault Busan plant and passing through Tongyeong and Geoje. The first impression at the factory was solid and robust. The matte dark gray color and black wheels created a calm and luxurious atmosphere. At the front, Renault's new emblem 'Losange' is surrounded by a diamond pattern, and the grille has no visible boundary, giving a sense of unity.

The interior also exudes luxury. The seats and interior materials use synthetic Nappa leather and suede. Embroidery in blue, red, and white arranged side by side highlights its French origin.

The most eye-catching feature is the large 12.3-inch display. Separate screens are placed for the driver's instrument panel, center fascia, and even the passenger seat. Especially, the separate passenger display is a convenience feature usually seen only in the latest premium imported cars.

The three displays operate independently yet are interconnected. While the central display is used for navigation and driving modes, the passenger can enjoy online video services (OTT) such as YouTube and Disney Plus. In this case, the passenger display is dimmed and not visible from the driver's seat. The navigation screen shown on the central display can also be moved to the passenger display or instrument panel. This is why the display is named the 'OpenR Panoramic Screen.'

Grand Koleos indoor display.

A large 12.3-inch display is installed in front of the driver's seat instrument panel, the center fascia, and even the passenger seat.

The display is equipped with the latest Android operating system. The instrument panel presents various information clearly and neatly on a white background. Unlike most vehicles that use speedometer and RPM as the two main axes, the hybrid model boldly reduces the RPM information, displaying it only as a number. Instead, lane and surrounding vehicle situations are shown with clean car icons, distinguishing between trucks and passenger cars according to their size. Significant attention has been paid to user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design.

The navigation system uses Tmap Mobility's product. In collaboration with SK Telecom, the AI-based 'Nugu Auto' is also installed, allowing voice control of various functions such as opening windows, climate control, and navigation.

Driving performance is also a highlight. The test car features a dual motor system consisting of a 100 kW drive electric motor and a high-voltage start motor (60 kW) that also serves as a generator. Combined with a four-cylinder 1.5L gasoline direct injection turbo engine, this setup powers the vehicle. The electric motor alone can produce 136 horsepower, and the battery capacity of 1.64 kWh is among the highest in its class for hybrid vehicles. Thanks to this, the car could drive like an electric vehicle in low-speed urban areas with minimal engine intervention. In fact, most of the drive through Busan city used only battery power. The active noise cancellation feature also ensured that road noise was barely audible, providing an EV-like experience.

Upon entering high-speed driving, the power felt more than adequate. The combined output of the engine and electric motor is 245 horsepower, allowing the car to accelerate as soon as the pedal is pressed. There was no lack of power even on uphill roads, and steering remained stable. The winding coastal roads of Geoje and Tongyeong were handled with agility, and the body remained stable even during sharp left and right movements.

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The AI driving mode is impressive. It automatically changes the driving mode according to the driving style and road conditions; for example, when accelerating on a steep hill, it switches to a more powerful sport mode. The automatic parking function, unique in its class, is also a highlight. It finds a parking space, notifies the driver, and then operates the pedals and steering wheel by itself upon command. While it may stop for safety in crowded environments, it successfully completes parking in normal situations without issue.

During the 160 km test drive, the measured fuel efficiency was 14.8 km per liter. Although this falls short of the official rating (15.7 km per liter), it is still respectable considering that no special effort was made to maximize fuel economy.

The price of the Grand Koleos ranges from 34.95 million to 44.95 million won depending on the trim. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin on the 6th of next month. It is positioned at a higher class than Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage, but is somewhat more affordable than the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe. With its strengths in both convenience and driving performance, it clearly adds another solid option for consumers.