Koleos shows its capabilities on the slopes of Ski Dubai

13 April 2009
Renault's first 4x4 crossover vehicle now available across the region

Renault launched its much-awaited Koleos 4x4 crossover vehicle across the region yesterday, utilising the striking setting of Ski Dubai as a backdrop. The Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), which captured an incredible 12 per cent market share in its category in France just eight months after its release, revealed its all-terrain capabilities when two of the models drove down the snow slopes of Ski Dubai, accompanied by candle-bearing skiers in a twilight procession.

The two Koleos weren't the only Renault pairing to make their mark on the unconventional carriageway that was Ski Dubai. Alongside the Koleos, through shear brute force and incredible noise was ING Renault F1 Team driver Nelson Piquet and his F1 car, a high performance combination normally to be found screaming around the Grand Prix circuits of the world. The duo had recently thrilled the crowds over the weekend at the Renault Roadshow, which was held at Downtown Burj Dubai and yesterday, fitted with specially-adapted Bridgestone studded snow tyres, they mimicked that performance to mark the arrival of the Koleos across showrooms in the region.

In a somewhat incongruous Alpine scene, the professional driver and thoroughbred machine put on an incredible display of donuts in the snow with the unbelievable crescendo of decibels from the car's 700hp powerplant creating an awesome spectacle.

With fine powder snow under their tyres, the brace of Koleos were also able to demonstrate their raison d'etre; which is versatility on and off the beaten track. Renault are convinced that the new SUV offers the same reassuring drive in and about town and on open roads, as well as when tackling more challenging surfaces. Granted, the Koleos may not encounter that much snow in this part of the world, but the pair's sure-footedness last night over the difficult medium of snow suggested that the model would be able to tackle dunes in the same confident manner.

Mohamed Bennani, Managing Director of Renault GCC, believes that his company's latest offering is perfect for the region. "The launch of the Koleos is an important milestone, particularly for the GCC where the SUV segment is one of the strongest," he said. "The release of our first 4x4 crossover completes our line-up and is proof that Renault has the capacity, expertise and ability to take a completely fresh approach in segments where it has traditionally been absent," he added.

The Koleos is powered by a 2.5-litre, 170hp powerplant and has a number of enhancements that have been designed to combine the benefits of a saloon car with the advantages of an SUV. Its high ground clearance and skid-plates ensure ruggedness and all-terrain capability, but special attention has also been paid to the vehicle's cornering performance with the intention to curb body-roll; something that has been an Achilles Heel for traditional SUVs. By combating body-roll, Renault has engineered the Koleos to feel much more sure-footed and safe for both driver and passengers.

In fact, safety is something that the French manufacturer has made a paramount feature for their new vehicle; a commitment that has resulted in some of the highest scores in independent testing. The Koleos is the 10th Renault model to obtain a maximum five-star rating in adult protection and is one of only four models out of 17 in the small off-road 4x4 category to achieve a five-star EuroNCAP crash test rating. Safety features as standard on the model include ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist and understeer control.

"The new Koleos is an important addition to the Renault range, combining as it does the best features of a salon car with those of an SUV," said Mr. Bennani. "We are welcoming drivers and their families to come for a test drive and experience the superior ride, performance and versatility of this new model," he added.

The Koleos has been designed by Renault and developed using Nissan's 4x4 technology. It is manufactured in Renault Samsung Motors' Busan plant in Korea. The vehicle is available in five categories; two 4x2 and three 4x4 versions and customers can choose from nine body colours. The Renault Koleos is on sale at all Arabian Automobile showrooms in Dubai and Al Masood Automobile outlets in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

RENAULT KOLEOS SPECIFICATIONS