BEIJING MOTOR SHOW: New Renault Koleos

French car-maker Renault chose the Beijing motor show to unveil its all-new flagship SUV today, the Koleos, after the design was leaked last week.

As well as the modern exterior design, the new Koleos features a fancy new fully-digitised infotainment and instrument system, giving the interior a high-tech aesthetic, which we understand will arrive in Australian Renault dealerships from as early as mid-year.

Although the vehicle shown in Beijing appeared to have only five seats, the big news with the second-generation Koleos is that it will be available with both five and seven seats for the first time. Like the Nissan X-TRAIL on which it's based, it will again be offered in 2WD and AWD formats.

The high-tech interior treatment also includes a large portrait-style central touch-screen, mimicking the style pioneered by Tesla, and even the instrument cluster is now displayed in HD graphics and is "user-configurable".

Dubbed the R-Link 2 system, the upmarket digitised display systems are hooked up to BOSE audio systems, navigation, Bluetooth and several advanced semi-autonomous driver aids, the latter allowing the car to brake, accelerate and park itself.

Based on Renult-Nissan's latest (CMF) platform architecture, the new Koleos will feature similar off-road features to its rugged Japanese cousin, the X-TRAIL. These includes three switchable modes (2WD, 4WD auto, 4WD lock) that ensure "enhanced safety and stability" on the road, while delivering "all-terrain ability, with impressive ground clearance" off it.

Expected to be priced similarly to the current Koleos in Australia, which starts at $31,500, the new model will be sold in 80 markets globally, including China and Europe, with five- and seven-seat configurations expected in Australia.

Renault Australia managing director, Justin Hocevar, said the new Koleos will be a key vehicle for the brand in this country, insisting it would play "a critical role" in the company's sustained expansion.

"This vehicle is a core model," said Hocevar who stated the bigger, better and smarter SUV is "a very appealing and well-equipped product" that's crucial in the ultra-popular medium SUV segment.

"It delivers exceptional performance, comfort and safety for our customers. We are delighted and excited to see its entrance in our part of the world and look forward to it arriving in Australia," he said.

Renault's new Koleos – which draws visual parallels with the new Megane small car due here in September – will be built in China and Korea.

Australian models will come from South Korea and will begin arriving here this year, potentially as early as July.