Renault Grand Koleos Unveiled: Is it French, Korean or Chinese?

Renault has unveiled the new Grand Koleos at the Busan Motor Show 2024 in South Korea. The SUV gets a hybrid setup with two motors and multiple screens on the inside. Based on the Chinese company Geely's platform, this SUV is made specially for the Korean market. Here is all you need to know about it. 

The Chinese Angle

The Koleos SUV is the first of two SUVs that Renault is developing in the Korean market. At the start, it was known as the Renault Aurora 1 project. This SUV's base is the GMA platform of the Chinese brand Geely, as Geely owns one-third of Renault Korea's shares. This partnership goes further, with Renault Group and Geely Auto establishing HORSE powertrain limited to produce hybrid engine components and systems like batteries. 

Design of the Grand Koleos

The Grand Koleos looks eerily similar to the Geely Xingyue L SUV sold in China, acting as its Korean counterpart. Some changes made over that model include a borderless grille, fresh alloy wheel design and some bits of uniqueness on the front and rear bumpers. That being said, It has a very confident and upright SUV stance with its boxy proportions.

Interior of the Grand Koleos

The interior features not one, not two, but three 12.3-inch screens. These serve as the instrument cluster, the infotainment panel, and the passenger's screen. The infotainment panel has 5G connectivity and can be updated with OTA updates. Other features of the interior include leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and wood and faux trim. 

Powertrain of Grand Koleos

Under the hood is a 1.5L turbocharged petrol engine supported by a 2-motor hybrid setup. These generate a combined power output of 245 horsepower. Users can access this power with multiple drive and terrain modes. 

India Launch of Grand Koleos

The Koleos has a history with India. It was introduced back in September 2011 but got discontinued later due to struggling sales. While it was seen testing in 2022, we haven't heard much about it since. For now, the Grand Koleos is expected to be a Korea-only model. Renault has different plans for India, though. These include a new version of the Duster along with a 7-seater SUV. 

For more such updates, click here.