Test drive Renault Koleos

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This means that the engine mainly drives the front wheels, and torque can also be transmitted to the rear wheels using the rear combined center differential. The system is the same as that of the X-Trail, called All Mode 4x4-I, which collectively means there is a computer controlled multi-plate clutch. In some situations, for example at start-up, it can calculate in advance the appropriate distribution of torque, while in other cases (with throttle sensors, steering wheel, acceleration ...) it reacts quickly and transfers up to 50 percent of the torque to the engine. rear wheels.

The driver can also completely disengage the four-wheel drive (in this case, the Koleos is driven by the front wheel only) or lock the gear ratio 50:50 with only the front wheel drive.

The chassis was also taken over by Renault on the X-Trail, which means MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link axle at the rear. The spring and damper settings were chosen in favor of comfort, and on the first kilometers that we drove on the asphalt, as well as on long and sometimes really rough sections of rubble during the presentation, it turned out that it absorbs extremely unevenness with ease. withstand a very rough blow (or jump). However, you need to come to terms with the fact that there are a lot of inclines on the pavement and the steering wheel is not straight and gives too little feedback.

The fact that the Koleos is not an athlete is also evidenced by the seats with a small side grip and a rather high seating position. There is ample room inside (although the longitudinal movement of the front seats could be more generous), the backrests (divisible by a third and fold down to a flat bottom) have an adjustable tilt, and the trunk (also due to the large, 4m outer length) are large accessible at a price of 51 cubic decimeters. When we add to that the 450 liters under the boot floor and the 28 liters offered by the various drawers in the cabin, Renault appears to have taken good care of passengers and luggage.

The Koleos will be available with three engines: the petrol 2-liter four-cylinder has its roots deep in Nissan's past and, on first impressions, doesn't want to breathe at either low or high revs. It is available in combination with a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission, but in any case, we expect it to not find many friends in the Slovenian market (this is understandable and logical).

Probably the most popular will be the 150-horsepower 170-liter turbodiesel (this could be desired instead of the standard manual transmission with a six-speed automatic), with both engines being available in two or four wheel versions. drive. The most powerful engine, a XNUMX hp diesel version, is only available with all-wheel drive and manual transmission.

The new Koleos is expected to hit Slovenian roads sometime in mid-September; Prices will start at just under 22 euros for the model with a gasoline engine and front-wheel drive, and the most expensive is expected to be a 150-horsepower diesel with an automatic transmission, priced at around 33. The standard equipment is expected to be rich, since in addition to a smart key (card) and an air conditioner, it will have six airbags.

Interestingly, it's worth criticizing that ESP is only available as standard with the richest version of Privilege hardware, since the first two (Expression and Dynamique) come with a price tag.

Dusan Lukic, photo: factory