Renault hopes to make a bigger dent in local SUV sales with its revised Koleos, which comes with a fresh new look and an enticing price strategy bringing more equipment at minimally changed RRPs.
The base Expression model soldiers on price unchanged, but adds satellite navigation, which is now standard on all models. The volume-selling, mid-specification Dynamique is hit with a $1000 price increase but adds leather upholstery and power driver's seat, adding a claimed $3,150 in extra value over the outgoing model.
At the top of the range, the Privilege model is up by $500 but gains a claimed $2,990 of extra equipment including bi-Xenon headlights, fixed cornering lights and 18-inch Austral alloy wheels against a backdrop of interior trim upgrades. These add to high-level specification that includes a panoramic glass sunroof. Dynamique and Privilege models also get a "child-minder" mirror giving a view of goings-on in the rear seat.
The South Korean-built Koleos also gets a more efficient turbodiesel engine bringing fuel economy improvements of 8.5 per cent, and CO2 reductions of 9.5 per cent.
The Koleos is available in two and all-wheel drive form (Expression and Dynamique) and with two engines: the 110kW/320Nm 2.0-litre dCi turbodiesel (4WD Dynamique only) and a 126kW/226Nm 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder that is available on all models.
The base 2WD Expression is available in six-speed manual or CVT form, while the Dynamique petrol comes in CVT form only. The 4WD Dynamique's turbodiesel is mated to a conventional six-speed automatic transmission, while the Privilege comes only as a petrol 4WD with CVT transmission.
Interestingly, Koleos pricing is virtually line-ball with its sister car, the Nissan X-Trail, which starts at $28,490 in 2.0-litre petrol 2WD form and tops out as a 2.0-litre diesel with six-speed auto transmission, leather and SatNav at $45,4240. The 2.5-litre petrol-engined X-Trail Ti with standard CVT transmission, leather and SatNav is pegged at $44,990.
Options
Metallic paint $800
18" Austral alloy wheels (Dynamique only) $1,500
Electric panoramic sunroof (Dynamique only) $2,490
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