World debut Down Under for Renault Koleos

Australia's love affair with SUVs just went up another rung. In what is a direct measure of the importance of the segment to brand's local operations, Renault Koleos will make its global retail debut Down Under.

The new mid-sizer goes on sale locally on August 1 (2016). This will predate other key markets by as much as six months, Renault insiders claim.

The second-generation Koleos is larger than the car it replaces and features the new Renault 'face'. Like its predecessor it is based on a shared Renault-Nissan Alliance platform.

Without overstating the fact, Koleos' success will significantly influence Renault's fortunes Down Under.

"Australia is the first market in the world to launch the new Koleos, demonstrating how important this model is in the continued expansion of Renault's business in Australia," Renault Australia Marketing Director, Jason Miller, stated in a company release overnight.

"It's bigger both inside and out [than the model it replaces], is one of the roomiest medium SUVs in its class and enjoys a range of new technologies that provide convenience and peace of mind," Miller said.

Save for the fact the new Koleos will feature a 2.5-litre petrol four and CVT, and start at $29,990, few Australian range or specification details have been confirmed for the new car. Renault Australia stated in its release that the car has a maximum towing capacity of 2000kg.

The Koleos was revealed globally earlier this year at the Beijing motor show. It features many of the same interior innovations including a tablet style human-machine interface as have been debuted in the new Megane.

Based on the same underpinnings as the Nissan X-TRAIL, Koleos will be offered in both front and all-wheel-drive variants.

Stay tuned for more details and our first drive of the fresh-faced Koleos here soon.