Koleos evokes surprise from the first seconds of acquaintance. Firstly, he, as if imitating the show-off Kaptur, became beautiful. Many people remember the first Koleos models that were sold in Russia. I admit, it was simply impossible to approach this car without crying: the strange, angular suitcase on wheels caused horror even in people with the most utilitarian views. I rather wanted to dip it in mud, snow, bury it in sand or earth, just to hide the lack of design thought and the desire to save money. I don’t even want to remember what was inside. But years have passed, and now Koleos has changed so much that all that remains of it, in fact, is the nameplate.

Big but not bulky

Koleos looks good on the outside, and it doesn't intend to hide it. Generously chrome-lined LED headlights, unusual turn signals in the shape of a boomerang, a neat radiator grille and a large logo match the impressive shape of the SUV. With a length of 4.672 meters and a height of 1.673 m, it does not seem at all overweight, and the chrome line running along the front sides adds a certain elegance to the body. There is no saving on good taste, because you could easily live without unnecessary decorations, but no, it’s more effective.

Alina Raspopova/Gazeta.Ru

The lower sides of the car are also decorated with chrome inserts, and when you open the door, you can read the model name on the threshold. Well, lest we forget. The rear view, although quite simple, is not without interesting touches. The huge trunk door is decorated with tail lights of an unusual shape. It is so original that now recognizing Koleos at night is easy.

Salon on the level

Now we climb into the cabin and are surprised again. However, the fact that all vehicle control systems are Renault Koleos drove into the tablet, we knew since the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, where we showed this new product.

At that time it was hard to believe in such changes - it seemed that this was some kind of concept or model for rich Europe that would never appear in Russia.

Unlike European countries, where more budget models Renault is sold under a separate Dacia brand, we do not have such a division, and therefore the Renault brand is still associated with utilitarianism, practicality and the absence of design and technical excesses. But this is not the case with Koleos.

So, a huge tablet integrated into the dashboard. When you meet him, you fall into a stupor and start rummaging around in search of at least one button. There are some. For example, electronic parking or cruise control next to the gear lever. Under the tablet there are buttons for selecting the “ECO” mode and heated seats. There are seat ventilation for comfortable trips in the summer and a parking assistant. Hmm, is this really a Renault? I look at the steering wheel and see the painfully familiar volume switches in the form of paddles under my right hand. Phew, this is without a doubt a Renault. Below the screen there are two separate climate control relays for the driver and passenger.

The trunk is huge, the tray has a comfortable handle. Closes with a button and opens with a wave of your foot

Renault

To turn on something else, please kindly point your fingers at the screen.

Okay, I turn on the engine. And then, dear mother, everything lights up with bright lights, the tablet turns on, and your eyes widen. To cool the interior, which has heated up to 34 degrees in the sun, you have to quickly deal with the device. The main menu items are “navigation”, “multimedia”, “phone”, “applications”, “auto” and “system”. Intuitively I find the airflow icon at the very bottom of the screen - here it is! I stretch out a scale with my finger, symbolizing the blowing power to the desired level. Convenient and not buggy. I also press the seat ventilation - there are three power options and all work delicately but effectively. Now you can live.

It's worth spending some time immediately to explore the capabilities that the tablet flaunts.

For example, in the “driving” tab you can see how economically you consume fuel and even undergo a simple mini-training on how to reduce this consumption. All this in beautiful diagrams, indicating the number of kilometers the car can travel without refueling.

By the way, for a month of driving exclusively in the city average consumption fuel on the gasoline version with a 2.5-liter engine producing 171 hp. amounted to 14.3 liters.

There are indicators of tire pressure sensors, convenient navigation through tabs and return back. Also on the side of the tablet there are volume buttons for the stereo system, which in top versions is not much, but Bose.

In general, at first glance everything seems complicated and incomprehensible, but if you had a tablet or at least a modern mobile phone, it’s not at all difficult to figure it out. In addition, in reality it turns out that there are not so many possible functions there: only the most necessary ones - after all, not a Volvo XC90.

Alina Raspopova/Gazeta.Ru

Yes, what is important, there are almost no greasy fingerprints left - I admit, I was too lazy to wipe it all month, but the monitor and the glossy surface that frames it still looked decent.

Let's take a closer look at the interior. In the top version, the seats are upholstered in white perforated leather, and the tunnel between the driver and passenger has stylish handles, like those of brutal SUVs. There is a place for glasses, two USB connectors in the armrest, a slot for an SD card and, in fact, space to place gadgets there. I even fit a tablet in there. The armrest can be moved and slightly raised for driver comfort. The interior is not boring, there are beautiful wood-look plastic inserts. The plastic on the dashboard is soft and does not smell, even when warmed up in the sun.

By the way, you can choose the color of the interior lighting to suit your taste. There's green, red, blue, yellow and purple - just like Infiniti.

If you have parking sensors (it’s better with them, the car is large), you can also select the “beeping” sound. You can also change the display design on the instrument panel. Another useful feature worth noting is the ability of Koleos to detect danger in blind spots: signals installed in the rear-view mirrors will tell you when it is better to refrain from maneuvering.

Koleos on the move

I launch the navigator, select a city, look for my street - it starts with the letter Y, so I have to dig around. The navigation shows traffic jams and cameras - also unexpected. I plot the route and move on. The powerful 2.5-liter engine easily copes with the weight of the SUV - the car is moving easily. Acceleration to “hundreds” takes 9.8 seconds, which is generally good for a large all-wheel drive model. The CVT X-Tronic box does not “slow down”. On speed bumps you will shake considerably - the suspension is quite stiff, but the Koleos swallows potholes much more readily.

In general, driving this car is pleasant on the highway and not scary in traffic jams - in Koleos good review, which helps to quickly grasp the dimensions.

Price and competitors

In the second most popular segment in Russia, SUV, for Renault Captur offer interesting prices, no matter how strange it may sound at first glance. Yes, so far 2.219 million rubles. for the “top” version it seems too much for this brand, and the starting package costs 1.749 million rubles. will be boring. At the same time, the model has plenty of competitors. And although prices may differ markedly, such as with the Mazda CX-5 (1,431 million - 1,893 million rubles) or Skoda Kodiaq(1,999 million - 2,575 million rubles), I think that many motorists will choose an SUV based on a weighted average set of options and capabilities that combine this at first glance different models. To get used to the idea that you can pay so much money for a Renault and the fact that it is really worth it, you will have to go to the showroom for reconnaissance, and there you can decide whether it’s in your opinion or not. And there is no doubt that Renault will still take a lot of effort to grow its customers from Logan to Koleos.

Renault Koleos. Price: from 1,699,000 rub. On sale: from summer 2017

Thanks to the efforts of Renault-Nissan, we have long been accustomed to the taste of French dishes with a Japanese aftertaste. The French desire for originality and sophisticated style combined with Japanese asceticism in the automotive industry is a truly explosive mixture. Any imbalance in one direction or another threatens disaster. However, for many years now the concern has managed to balance quite gracefully on this fine line, churning out one bestseller after another.

Horizontal tail lights with a pronounced three-dimensional effect they float onto the wings, visually expanding the car even more

Carlos Ghosn's automatic kitchen bakes them like hot cakes. Of course, using common platforms and ingredients, it is not so easy for the concern to create dishes of French and Japanese cuisine. And if this is still possible in terms of beautiful presentation to the table, then the aftertaste after tasting these dishes sometimes remains almost identical. I wouldn't say it's unpleasant, just quite similar. The premiere test of the new Renault generations Koleos only confirmed this theory, although the presentation of the new dish itself seemed to us very original and refined in a French way.

The front seats are too short for comfortable seating on long hauls.

After overflowing with the efforts of Duster and its “metrosexual brother” Kaptur, the C-segment of the Renault all-terrain line is the translation of Koleos, the first generation of which existed somewhere in the interclass space C-D, to the highest segment was a completely reasonable step. To increase returns, Renault simply needed to close the “entire table” in the SUV market, especially since its D-segment over the past 10 years has proven itself to be one of the most dynamic in terms of development on the market, adding total 63 %.

The maximum trunk volume of Renault Koleos reaches 1690 l

An equally logical step was the stylization of the exterior of the new Koleos to match the premium Renault line. Similarity of the new large crossover and the co-platform flagship business sedan Talisman are noticeable at first glance. The same expressive horizontal lines and shortened overhangs, the same design style of the front of the car and the false radiator grille with a massive chrome logo, completely new LED headlights Pure Vision (the technology provides 20% more powerful light output compared to halogens) and C-shaped boomerangs of popular “eyelashes”. In the rear LED lamps Edge Light technology is used, creating a pronounced three-dimensional effect. Horizontal rear lights flowing onto the fenders visually expand the dimensions of the car, and massive 18-inch wheels combined with a low roofline give the brutal SUV a more dynamic look.

The front part of the car looks very impressive thanks to the massive false radiator grille and multi-plane “boomerangs” running lights and foglight surrounds

“The new Koleos completes the renaissance of the Renault range in terms of design, which began with the new Clio in 2012. My challenge was to come up with a crossover that would not only be elegant, but also modern and dynamic. We decided not to dilute the traditional design features of crossovers. On the contrary, they focused on the features characteristic of this segment - a stylish, sculpted exterior with expressive horizontal lines and high ground clearance“,” explains Renault Senior Vice President of Corporate Design Laurens van den Acker.

The main detail of the interior is a large vertical tablet

It's hard to disagree with the Dutchman! The visual presentation of Renault's new dish is absolutely top notch. The first questions may arise only when you begin to become more familiar with its ingredients.

The structure of the central tunnel is very diverse in terms of containers and glove compartments

Combination of one of the largest in class wheelbases(2705 mm) with a very advantageous interior layout makes Koleos the most spacious in the segment, placing it in the category of those cars that seem even larger inside than outside. Hence the spacious modular trunk, which can be increased through transformations from 538 to 1690 liters, and unprecedented spatial comfort for the legs of rear passengers, the effect of which is increased by the concave frame of the backrests of the front seats. A huge panoramic roof with an area of ​​0.8 m2 fills the cabin with air, like a French meringue. However, in reality this feeling is still largely deceptive. With all the volume of the cabin Koleos high passengers find it not so comfortable. The reason is not the most thoughtful design of the front seats and rear sofa. The horizontal airbags of the first ones turned out to be very short (despite the electric adjustments in six directions, there is, of course, no question of any popliteal support), which makes them very uncomfortable on long trips. As for the second row, lanky passengers simply rest their heads on the ceiling. Moreover, this is a consequence not so much of an understatement for the sake of dynamic design the roofline of the Koleos, how much passion the French have for “theater seating” of passengers with the second row raised for better visibility.

System all-wheel drive- adaptive: allows you to choose the drive scheme at your discretion

What really pleased us about the interior and ergonomics of the new Koleos were the unprecedentedly wide door openings (the front doors open to 70°, the rear doors to 77°), as well as the effective structural protection of the door sills from dust and dirt.

The rear sofa is raised significantly above the first row: this “theatrical” seating provides passengers with better visibility, but forces them to rest their heads on the ceiling

The interior design is dominated by straight lines with rounded ends. Triangular handles on the sides of the center console emphasize the off-road character of the Koleos. Renault's style can be seen quite clearly. The main mood in the cabin is, of course, set by a huge vertical 8.7-inch multifunctional tablet multimedia system R-LINK 2. In general, a set of electronic and auxiliary systems Koleos has expanded compared to the first generation, but not as much as one might expect. Thus, the French flagship SUV still does not have adaptive cruise control, which is available on most of its classmates. Unlike Nissan, Renault is waiting for a platform fourth generation autonomous control systems - we decided not to waste our time on third-generation “stale products,” which is why adaptive cruise and many other modern electronic assistants will be available only after the first restyling of the new Koleos.

In addition to the updated multimedia, Koleos has acquired a premium Bose audio system with 12 different-sized speakers, a subwoofer and a digital amplifier with a sound processor. There is even a volumetric compensation system for engine sound. But about soundproofing wheel arches, according to the tradition of the concern, they were somewhat forgotten. As is almost always the case with Nissan and often with Renault, normal sound insulation will most likely appear only after the first restyling. Unlike acoustic comfort, it’s harder to find fault with the ride, and you shouldn’t do it. The suspension is tuned almost perfectly by the standards of the segment: moderately stiff, it does not allow the large SUV to sway, actively absorbing inertia, but at the same time it turns out to be surprisingly energy-intensive.

Renault's new flagship SUV will be supplied to Russia with three engine options: petrol 2.0 (144 hp) and 2.5 (171 hp), as well as a 2.0 dCi turbodiesel with 177 hp. With. Sales of petrol Koleos have already started, diesel version will be available to order from September.

Unlike the rest of the world, in our market Koleos will be presented only in the All-Mode 4x4i all-wheel drive version exclusively with new adaptive continuously variable CVT variators X-Tronic. This was done in order to separate Koleos from the younger French SUVs Kaptur and Duster.

The concern's new CVT itself is quite good and adaptive. It, for example, uses a new algorithm for changing the gear ratio: when you press the gas pedal more than a third, the variator simulates step shifts, like a regular automatic transmission. At the same time, CVT X-Tronic ensures smooth changes gear ratios, at constant speed can optimize engine speed and allows the driver, if desired, to select a 7-speed sequential shift mode and use engine braking. However, with all the advantages of the new Koleos variator, it still remains very thoughtful. It is clear that without sacrificing the transmission resource, there is no escape from this. But this makes it doubly unfortunate that the French SUV will arrive in Russia without manual box transmission During the Finnish test, it was the version with manual transmission that seemed to us the most organic and interesting in relation to the large French all-terrain vehicle.

Driving The steering is somewhat sluggish, but for an SUV this is quite acceptable. Engine responses in the version with a CVT are significantly limited by the CVT settings Salon Quite functional and calm in terms of design. The only questions that raise questions are the front seats and the oversized rear sofa. Comfort The suspension is good, but the sound insulation of the wheel arches is somewhat disappointing Safety Without wasting money on third-generation autonomous control systems, Renault artificially limited the capabilities of auxiliary electronics Price Within the price delta of the segment; however, the diesel version will be almost half a million more expensive than the gasoline version: RUB 2,169,000. Average score

• Expressive, emotional design, good engines, roomy interior
• No version with manual transmission, poor sound insulation of wheel arches

Renault Koleos technical specifications
Dimensions	4672 x1843x1673 mm
Base	2705 ​​mm
Curb weight	1742 kg
Gross weight	2280 kg
Clearance	208 mm
Trunk volume	538/1690 l
Fuel tank volume	60 l
Engine	diesel, 4-cylinder, 1995 cm 3, 177/3750 hp/min -1, 380/2000 Nm/min -1
Transmission	CVT, all-wheel drive
Tire size	225/60R18
Dynamics	201 km/h; 9.5 s to 100 km/h
Fuel consumption (city/highway/mixed)	6.1/5.7/5.8 l per 100 km
Operating costs*
Transport tax, rub.	8850
TO-1/TO-2, r.	n.d.
OSAGO/Kasko, r.

The new Renault Koleos is a flagship model range crossovers of the French company and, concurrently, the older brother of the well-known Renault Duster. The first generation of Koleos was not particularly successful; it sold poorly and disappeared from the market relatively quickly.

What's new to expect? We have tested it in action and are ready to present you with a test drive of Renault Koleos 2017 with our thoughts and conclusions about the advisability of purchasing it.

Characteristics

The car, depending on the modification, will be equipped with four engines:

• 2.5 naturally aspirated petrol, maximum power 171 hp, works exclusively with a CVT.
• 2-liter naturally aspirated petrol, 144 hp.
• Diesel 1.6 capacity 130 hp.
• Diesel 2-liter, 173 hp.

Body dimensions:

• Length - 4670 mm
• Height - 1710 mm
• Width - 1840 mm.
• Wheelbase - 2710 mm
• Trunk volume - 550/1690
• Ground clearance - 213 mm.

Bonuses (maximum modification):

Built in back door electric lift;
Headlight washers;
Electrically heated mirrors;
Auto-dimming side mirror function;
Rear view camera;
Aluminum thresholds;
Adaptation systems for starting the engine when low temperatures. Parking sensors,
Blind spot monitoring,
Massage passenger and driver seats,
Panoramic roof,
Dual-zone climate control;
ABS and AFU;
State-of-the-art anti-theft system;
ESP, HDC, HSA;
Automatic door locking system;
Air conditioner;
Adaptive cruise control;
Heated steering wheel.

Pre-declared price for new Renault Koleos - from 1.5 million to 2 million rubles.

Appearance

The radiator grille with a large emblem shows us the new face of Renault, which Russian market haven't seen it yet. Headlights - full LED with system automatic control high beam.

The car has a lot of chrome parts that look very nice. The main thing that catches your eye at the rear of the car is, of course, the lights. Along their perimeter there are LED sections of brake lights and running lights, which extend towards each other.

The fog lamp is located centrally at the bottom of the bumper. good design solution you can also call the muffler hidden under the bumper exhaust pipe. It is also impossible not to notice that Koleos, instead of a double-leaf fifth door, now has a solid, standard one.

The trunk, with a volume of 550 liters, has recesses on the sides for small items and a connector for connecting a compressor. It expands to a decent volume of 1690 liters. The floor, already standard, is multi-tiered. An organizer is hidden under the first layer, and under the second - spare wheel, which houses the subwoofer of the top-end Bose audio system.

Salon

The door to the salon closes very quietly, due to the double seal, one on the body, the second on the door itself. The seats are adjusted according to the following parameters: height, length, backrest tilt and lumbar support. The steering wheel is also adjustable in two planes, so there are no problems to adjust driver's seat just for you

The door cards have spacious pockets where you can easily fit a bottle of water. You can easily put A4 sheets in the glove compartment and they won’t get wrinkled, as they come with a spare. This is not common among competitors.

The tachometer and speedometer have become digital, the side displays are still mechanical, their design has changed a little, as it seems to us - for the better.

There are a large number of functional buttons on the steering wheel, but such important keys as music control and cruise control are missing. The music is controlled by a wheel behind the wheel, and the cruise control is controlled by a button located near the gear shift lever.

Touchpad on-board computer located vertically, its diagonal is 8.7 inches. The screen responds to touches without delay, but due to the leisurely animation, changing windows does not happen very quickly.

On rear seats Reno Koleos comfortably accommodates 3 medium-sized passengers. There are also 3 connectors for charging gadgets. By the way, in the version with panoramic roof, the ceiling is slightly lower than in the standard Koleos, but even with a height of 192 cm, the necessary headroom remains.

Test drive

According to Renault official representatives, only four-wheel drive vehicles equipped with a continuously variable gearbox.

Intelligent all-wheel drive redistributes torque among the axles, depending on acceleration and road surface. Near the speedometer there is an icon that clearly shows the driver this distribution. In a normal driving manner, on smooth asphalt on rear axle accounts for 5%, rarely reaches 10%. When accelerating from a standstill, pressing the gas pedal to the floor, the front axle receives 70% of the torque.

Ground clearance of 210 mm allows Koleos to feel comfortable in any urban environment and, moreover, to give the heat very well on the intersection. But due to the fact that the variator and clutch quickly overheat, the car often experiences problems in mud or large amounts of snow. This is solved by blocking the clutch, after which the vehicle’s full off-road potential is fully revealed.

The Koleos steering wheel will appeal to those who prefer a soft driving style. At low speeds, practically no effort is needed, but with acceleration, the steering wheel's resistance increases without exceeding comfortable limits. The car is pleasant to drive; it responds smoothly and predictably to every movement of the steering wheel.

Bottom line

Renault Koleos - great option for driving in the city. Among its advantages we include presentable appearance, comfortable and spacious salon With rich in equipment, high ground clearance and all-wheel drive.

This is a large and high-quality car, which we confidently recommend to all fans of the Renault brand and those who want to purchase a high-quality, but not pop crossover, since, let’s face it, the new product from Renault does not pretend to be widespread.

Test drive Renault Koleos (video)

The automotive world is ruled by globalization and unification. No manufacturer can anymore afford to develop a platform and use it on only one model. How different will the cars be from each other? This cannot be predicted in advance. Some limit themselves to literally replacing the emblems alone. And there are pleasant exceptions when the relationship is determined only after studying the technical characteristics.

Renault Koleos is from the latter category. As in the first generation, he remained a close relative. But both then and now he doesn’t look a bit like him. Instead of Japanese undemandingness - a bright, purely French appearance. Europeans are not surprised by this. This is not the first year that Renaults, decorated in a new corporate style, have been sold in the Old World. These are, in particular, Espace and Talisman. But for us this image is new. What to do if in Russia big cars The brands had not previously enjoyed much love from buyers, and during the crisis the line was completely reduced to exclusively state-owned brands.

Maximum task

My colleague Mikhail Kuleshov had already become acquainted with the car in the vicinity of Paris, and I had the opportunity to drive the first two copies that came to Russia and were entrusted to journalists. And even in conditions typical for our country! The Renault company invited the writing fraternity to Lake Ladoga for the Winter Driving School. On the snowy and icy paths, under the supervision of instructors, Dusters and , accompanied by a pair of Koleos, demonstrated their skills.

Being on a forest road and a snowy field side by side with Dusters, it is difficult to resist comparing their skills with the abilities of Koleos. But it is necessary. The first is positioned by the brand as a fairly serious “rogue” and, as they show, the title justifies it. The second one is a regular crossover. His skills should be enough to overcome moderate off-road conditions on the way to a dacha or clearing for a summer picnic. And it’s even better if the matter is limited to just broken dry primer. With a declared clearance of 210 mm (personally assessed: it seems to be true), Renault Koleos will cope with this without problems.

But we found ourselves in the forests of Karelia during the thaw days, when the snow became wet and heavy. As long as there are ruts under the wheels, even if they are not compacted, but loose, Koleos confidently moves forward. There is enough ground clearance for most situations. The All Mode 4×4 i all-wheel drive transmission can be kept in automatic mode and, according to the pictogram on the instrument cluster, the electronics transfer only 5–10% of traction back in such conditions.

On virgin soil, the car immediately has problems. And this despite the fact that the snow cover reaches exactly to the bottom edge front bumper, and the car is shod with top-end Continental ContiIceContact 2. Of course, the lion's share of difficulties was created by the thaw: driving on dry snow would have been easier. But there is much less confidence in the car.

It is curious that we never brought the Koleos to a message about overheating of the variator or clutch. However, an abnormal smell was clearly felt in the cabin, and a couple of times the car limited the engine to 2000–2500 rpm. It was worth standing for a couple of minutes idling, and everything returned to normal, you can break the rut further. In a word, Koleos is a typical representative of the crossover tribe, or, as they used to say, parquet SUVs. It’s better not to push him to do great things.

In his element

After returning from a walk in the forest, I expected to drive Koleos along snakes, ovals and other figures marked right on the ice of Lake Ladoga, although I suspected that the organizers would not allow it. Firstly, journalists already lined up are waiting for them in Moscow, so tearing off the bumpers on the parapets is extremely undesirable. Secondly, the variator is objectively not suitable for annealing on the turns of sports tracks. So why force the transmission? And thirdly, perhaps Koleos is too heavy for ice. Its curb weight is more than 200 kilograms more than that of Duster and Capture.

In exchange, I asked for a Koleos for a short trip around the surrounding roads in order to get an impression of the car in normal driving conditions. On snowy country roads, the crossover's suspension unexpectedly and unpleasantly struck a couple of times, and it responded to potholes with a loud knock. Not on asphalt best quality this no longer happened: chassis behaved quietly.

In general, Renault turned out to be what I expected - statistically average. Steering, brakes and suspension are completely devoid of sporty notes, but give the car a reliable character during measured driving. Without getting used to the car, I was able to stop in the icy rut exactly where I had planned for myself, and take turns on a narrowly cleared one-lane highway along the trajectory set the first time, without fear of “falling out” of it.

I had a chance to drive only one version - with a 2.5 engine with a power of 170 hp. The CVT does a good job of simulating the shifts of a classic gearbox, but the dynamics don’t excite the blood. The exact numbers for the “French” have not yet been announced, but you can focus on the platform Nissan X-Trail with a similar power plant, which weighs about the same. For the Japanese model, 10.5 s from zero to 100 km/h is claimed.

It feels like the creators have worked on sound insulation. In this regard, French models have always been stronger than Japanese ones. So Koleos seemed quieter to me than X-Trail. The engine can be heard in the cabin after 3000 rpm, and this sound remains not too intrusive even at more high speed. The hum of studded tires can be distinguished from the general background, but you need to try to do this. The asphalt liberally sprinkled with sand allowed us to evaluate the sound insulation of the arches: everything is fine with it. But the noise from the contact of road dirt with the thresholds seemed excessive and slightly spoiled the generally favorable picture. But I'm still confident that Koleos can be in its own segment.

Percentage and moment

A pictogram with thrust distribution can be displayed on the front panel and the operation can be observed. When accelerating “gas to the floor” at wet asphalt in automatic mode, up to 15% of the torque is transmitted back, and I saw this figure only at the peak, usually 5–10%. If you do a similar exercise on ice, then the maximum for a moment reaches 25%, and the lion's share of the time is between 15–20%. At the same time, as you feel from behind the wheel, there is no serious slipping of the front wheels, the speed gain is even.

There is also a Lock mode with forced equal distribution of torque between the axes. But if in Duster it works up to 80 km/h, then in Koleos it turns off after 40. As a result, there is no need for it on more or less hard surfaces and it can only help off-road. Moreover, the border of transition to automatic settings clearly hints that it is not worth experimenting with conquering very difficult areas.

Difficulties in translation

The launch of Renault Koleos on the Russian market is scheduled for the summer. Dealers will have three versions. The 2.0 and 2.5 liter naturally aspirated petrol engines are very familiar to Russians from Ixtrail, and will not undergo any changes on the French model. But diesel is different. Nissan supplies us with a modest 130-horsepower 1.6 unit, and Renault relies on a two-liter unit with an output of 175 “horses”. All Koleos for Russia will be all-wheel drive and with CVTs (Nissan X-Trail is also available with mechanics and in a single-wheel drive version).

Prices and exact configurations were unknown at the time of writing, but we can make assumptions on a solid foundation: the same sister Nissan will help us. WITH two-liter engine, with all-wheel drive and CVT, it costs from 1,624,000 rubles. Renault will obviously be valued at approximately the same amount. Packed to the maximum it will cost 2,047,000 rubles. But this gasoline car, and Koleos with a powerful diesel engine will be more expensive. I would bet on 2.2 million. Making Renault noticeably more expensive than Nissan is risky. But at the same time, let's not forget that X-Trail is localized in St. Petersburg, and Koleos will be supplied from South Korea.

The company does not expect to “blow up” the segment with its new product, soberly assessing its chances. Renault brand development director Anatoly Kalitsev pointed out a key factor that will allow the second generation car to become more popular than its predecessor. This is a combination of two-liter gasoline engine, all-wheel drive and automated transmission. Koleos did not have this in our market, but, according to competitors’ sales statistics, it provides the main demand. With a 175-horsepower diesel engine, Renault can take away some buyers, for example, from, which will be a little more expensive.

Anatoly Kalitsev explained that Koleos was initially created with an eye to sales in Russia. Therefore, options such as ERA-GLONASS, heated windshield and the proprietary Renault Start autostart system were included in the design from the very beginning. The costs of their implementation are “spread out” across all world markets. If they fell solely on the shoulders of the Russian division, then the prices for the imported crossover would be higher, which would make competition difficult.