Renault softroader stars in Paris

Arguably the most important model in the increasingly internationally-focussed Renault model range, the Koleos drew the largest crowd of the show's hectic first media day, thanks in a large part to the presence of charismatic Renault (and Nissan) CEO, Carlos Ghosn for the unveiling

The Koleos is a concept in name only. It will go into production with very few external changes late next year, with South Korea the first market to see retail sales.

Why Korea? In an announcement that surprised many pundits, the five-door has been engineered, designed and will be built in Renault-Samsung's plant in Pusan in the south east corner of the Asian peninsular nation.

Ghosn unveiled the Koleos along with a handsome three-door concept that will see production as the new Twingo light car.

In introducing the 4x4 concept the Renault chief said it was "extremely representative" of the car that Renault would bring to market. He also stated it drew on Nissan's "extensive expertise" in the all-wheel drive arena.

In fact, there is significant indication that the Koleos is all but a re-skin of Nissan's next generation X-Trail.

Australia will see the car in the second half 2008, well after the arrival of the new Nissan which is due as early as mid-2007.

In an interview with CarPoint, Patrick Debrot, Renault's Asia Pacific Marketing and Sales Vice President conceded that Renault had come very late to the softroaders 'party' but quipped it "was never too late". Debrot said, however, that in the interim the French marque needed to make sure everything was in place to capitalise upon the success the new car could bring Down Under.

According to Debrot, the Koleos would be offered with both diesel and petrol engines from launch.

Assuming Australia's love affair with softroaders continues, the success of the Koleos will largely shape the success of the brand Down Under and in turn its ability to leverage the availability of a wider range of international-friendly new Renault models. It was accordingly earmarked as "definitely" a future best-seller for Renault Down Under, by Debrot.

Debrot was vehement that the Korean design and manufacturing base of the car would not negatively affect its perceived or actual quality.

"The car is Renault from A-Z. It is built using Renault manufacturing processes, Renault engineering… At the end of the day it has to go through all the [same] quality assessment which we have as if it was built in one of our factories, for example, in Europe," he said.

Renault currently builds three domestic Renault-Samsung models in Korea. Renault-Samsung is a near-wholly owned subsidiary of Renault.