We have always admired the Renault Koleos for being just that little bit different to others in the medium SUV class. Koleos touch of French flair appeals to us, so the 2014 facelift, as well as minor price reductions, gave us a good reason to like this car. The new Renault Koleos, now tagged the Phase 3 Koleos also has new designs of alloy wheels and chromed side protective strips.
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| Renault Koleos |
Inside are new trim designs as well as the option of brown leather upholstery. Brown is the new black in automotive Europe at present and it’s good to see it making its way down-under. This interesting shade is also offered on the body. The upgrade also included new two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, front parking sensors, keyless start and an automatic dimming interior mirror. There’s a redesigned audio interface and a new 7-inch touchscreen navigation system with multimedia functions. Priced from $34,990 and based on the dynamic trim level, the Koleos Bose Edition was tested and has a digital amplifier and seven speakers, including a subwoofer. For the 2014 upgrade, the Koleos Bose models have integrated satellite navigation operated from a touchscreen.
The Bose has a recommended price of $35,490 for the 4x2 petrol automatic, $38,990 for the 4x4 petrol auto and $40,490 for the 4x4 diesel auto. The latter was our test vehicle.
The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel has been revised to increase its power by 17kW, now maxing out at 127kW. Torque has gone from an already good 320Nm to an impressive 360Nm. Koleos diesel models come with the choice of six-speed manual or six-speed auto. There's a new front, redesigned two-tone wheel, chrome finish of the side protective strips and a striking new color called Ebony Brown. The cabin, benefits from new trim and when fitted, new leather upholstery.
New features:
New Koleos is equipped with the new in-dash Renault R-Link multimedia system complete with seven-inch touchscreen display. R-Link permits the selection of one of 26 languages and packs all the latest multimedia functions, from navigation, radio and telephony to Bluetooth connectivity and audio streaming, as well as connectivity for portable music-playing devices. It also proposes services associated with the vehicle's own systems, plus access to the Renault R-Link Store which has a catalogue of more than 50 applications (depending on country) that can be downloaded directly to the vehicle or using a personal computer. With Renault R-Link, multimedia become simple and tailored functionalities well adapted to the vehicle: With Bluetooth, USB ports, or Jack plug, listening to your mobile music but also watching your photos and videos when the vehicle is stationary becomes child's play.
Another important new feature of the car is the Blind Spot Warning (BSW) function which provides a visual alert whenever a vehicle is detected in the blind spot in order to facilitate safe overtaking. It detects the presence of vehicles when you want to change lane. The system alerts you by activating a warning light. With Renault, where your mirrors reach their limits, the very best technology takes over. This is an ultrasound detection system that covers a five-meter zone around the car. Two sensors are positioned on the rear corners, with two more on the sides of the vehicle’s front section. They detect all moving objects, both cars and motorcycles, when your vehicle is travelling between 35 and 140 km/h.
A Bose audio, round off the extensive list of high-end equipment available for New Renault Koleos. The driver and passengers feel like they are in the crowd at a live performance. With its 10 high-performance speakers and digital amplifier, the sound is worthy of a concert hall.
Deep bass and sharp high notes: a fine balance this system achieves perfectly.
