[Non-car expert test drive]
Strengths in high-speed driving with up to 245 horsepower
Some electric motor driving…40% fuel savings
Watch OTT and more on the passenger display,
The new Renault Grand Koleos, which boasts a certified composite fuel efficiency of 15.7 km/liter based on 19-inch tire standards (*Techno trim standard), is now released. Renault Korea is garnering attention to see if it meets its claims of class-leading driving performance, fuel efficiency, spaciousness, and convenience features., “The highlight of the 2024 Busan Mobility Show, the ‘New Renault Grand Koleos,’ has finally been released. Renault Korea has prepared thoroughly for the launch of a new car after four years. By appointing national fencing athlete Oh Sang-wook as the official ambassador, they aim to attract popularity.“,
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, ‘On the 28th, I first test-drove the Grand Koleos. The test drive took place over a total distance of 169 km from the Renault Korea Busan plant to Tongyeong National Maritime Science Museum and Geoje Velverdeia.‘,
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, ‘To cut to the chase, the Grand Koleos is a quiet yet enjoyable car, never boring even when not driving. The spacious interior allows for comfortable long drives without feeling cramped.‘,
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The side view of the Renault Grand Koleos. The Grand Koleos offers a total of five exterior color options: two new colors, Satin Urban Gray (*Esprit Alpine exclusive) and Mineral Copper, and two metallic colors, Urban Gray and Metallic Black, as well as Cloud Pearl color, allowing for a sturdy and luxurious feel. / Photo=Reporter Jung Min-joo, ‘When I pushed the accelerator pedal deeper for high-speed driving, I could feel the power of the Grand Koleos. Even when speeding through flat roads or uphill, it showed no signs of strain. The Grand Koleos boasts a maximum of 245 horsepower, the highest in its class.‘,
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, ‘The noise and impact during gear shifts were minimal. This is attributed to the non-fatiguing 3-speed transmission, which, with fewer shifts, actually worked as an advantage in the hybrid system.‘,
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The ‘Full Auto Park Assist System,’ which can be applied to various parking situations such as parallel, perpendicular, and diagonal parking without driver intervention except in emergency situations, contributes to comfortable driving. The Grand Koleos features ultrasonic sensors (4 front, 4 rear, 4 sides), 4 cameras (front, rear, left, right), and 1 controller. First, obstacles, surrounding objects, and parking spaces are recognized through ultrasonic sensors, followed by recognition of parking lines and obstacles within the parking lines through cameras. / Video=Reporter Jung Min-joo, ‘I drove on electric motor power for some sections. On highways and car-exclusive roads, fuel savings of up to 40% compared to gasoline engines were achieved. Regenerative braking allowed for further reduction in fuel consumption depending on the level.‘,
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, ‘There was hardly any sensation of nose dive (the phenomenon where the front of the body goes down when the brakes are applied) or nose up (the phenomenon where the front of the car rises when the accelerator pedal is pressed) when driving on the electric motor.‘,
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, ‘The agility of the vehicle was highlighted on winding roads. It reacted sensitively to road conditions and had relatively accurate steering. The suspension was also stable.‘,
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The front row of the Grand Koleos. The Grand Koleos provides rich entertainment through the openR panoramic screen. / Photo=Reporter Jung Min-joo, ‘I moved to the passenger seat and enjoyed various contents displayed on the screen. Renault Korea equipped the Grand Koleos with a display on the passenger seat, a first for Korean brands. YouTube, Facebook, and major OTT services were available.‘,
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, ‘All contents were immediately accessible without loading delays. The speed was similar to watching YouTube on a smartphone. If worried about disturbance to the driver due to sound, the provided Bose headset could be used to continue watching the video.‘,
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, ‘Contents and other convenience functions could also be operated by voice. Requests such as “lower the temperature,” “reduce the navigation volume,” “make a call to person 00,” “tell me the weather in Busan at 3 p.m.,” were varied, and they were executed accurately and promptly.‘,
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, ‘For consumers considering a midsize SUV purchase, the Grand Koleos is worth considering. The prices range from 34.95 million to 44.95 million KRW depending on the trim. Customer deliveries will start in September.’,
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, This is a brave, honest, and humble test drive written by a car reporter who knows ‘car’ as well as an expert but perhaps not as much ‘knows’ about it. since 2018. [Editor],
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