Showing posts with label qm5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label qm5. Show all posts

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Renault Samsung QM5 Neo and QM3

The QM5 crossover has been around longer than the Brainiacs and this crossover remains a competitive one even though it's becoming less appreciative as time goes by. Made in Korea, sold globally as the Renault Koleos, and uses components from the Renault Nissan Alliance, the QM5 sure knows how to be a global competitor in the world of crossovers but there are only a little people having one of those because of the competition heating up.

2014 Renault Samsung QM5 Neo

For its last-ditch effort to set things right, the Korean division of the Renault Nissan Alliance prepped up a facelifted version of the QM5, a few months after the Renault Koleos got facelifted for the European market. It's called the QM5 Neo and yes, this crossover really want to fight 'till its last breath. So what's for this swan song?

2014 Renault Samsung QM5 Neo interior

For its brand new 2014 QM5 Neo, you can notice the new front face as shown from Renault's design language and this new look can be somewhat summarized as athletic and premium, what the carmaker states. They've also added new stuff like air vents in the central B-pillars so that air, hot or cold, can get through the rear seat passengers without the drama. A tire-pressure monitoring system is added and let's not talk about it because no one sure knows what it is.

On the engine side, here's a plot twist though because the former's 2.5L CVTC engine has been thrown away to the great junkyard in the sky and now the available engines offered were a smaller 2.0L petrol engine and a 2.0L diesel engine. That's it. The 2.0L petrol engine develops 143HP of power, 20.1kg-m of torque, and a power-to-weight ratio of about 10.98kg/hp because the front-wheel drive model with the 2.0L petrol engine weighs around 1570kg. Mated to a CVT gearbox, the fuel economy is just shy about 10.6km/L and CO2 emission of 166g/km.

The 2.0L diesel adds 200kg of weight but it delivers 173HP of power, 36.7kgm of torque, and 13.2km/L of fuel economy, again, thanks to the CVT gearbox. For front-wheel drive models, the power-to-weight ratio is about 9.86kg/hp. Exclusive to the diesel model is an available 4WD option for all-round capability, well as a theory.

Suspension-wise, the QM5 Neo has a front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension to make handling a bit European-ish, and again, as a theory because I suspect, it kinda behaves like an everyday European saloon car for a crossover made by the Koreans. He he he...

Well, I guess that's pretty much enough for the QM5 Neo but because it was priced from about 22,500,000 to 33,100,000 Korean Won, you might think that it's a bit too expensive but what if you want something cheaper than the QM5 but something a bit stylish and more convincing than the QM5 Neo? Well, it's this...

2014 Renault Samsung QM3
Yes, it's a brand new QM3. Unlike the QM5, it's available only in front-wheel drive, just like its Euro equivalent, the Renault Captur. And unlike the QM5, it's powered by a smaller 1.5L diesel engine mated to a 6-speed EDC gearbox.

2014 Renault Samsung QM3 interior

It looks more targeted squarely at today's computer geeks except in my eye, it's much more well behaved and well mannered than the QM5 Neo but for a quick drawback, remember what I told about the Renault Captur a couple of months ago? You don't? Well, never mind about that but no matter how hard I explained about this new model, it's still a proven hit among Koreans everywhere and the first 1000 units were all accounted for since its launch. Quite impressive for RSM, though, but what motivates it?

The price tag for the QM3 began in 22,500,000 Korean Won, similar to the QM5 Neo's starting price and because it's compact and as small as a supermarrow, it's not all that complicated to drive it around the streets of Gangnam. And because it has a fuel economy of 18.5km/L, it's worth being a cross-country companion and by scientific calculations; the 10,000km per year fuel cost, in today's climate, would be about more than a 1,082,000 Korean Won (10,000km ÷ 18.5kmpl x 2000KRW* per Litre). Anyway, forget about maths! Let's conclude it in a simplified manner because in the end, you have a choice between these two crossovers from Renault Samsung.

*estimated but fuel prices may vary.

If you want something more of an all-rounder if you're under the weather, your best bet would be the QM5 because the diesel model has an available 4WD model but if its the sense of the city you're after and if you're a bit of a techie, then you might be off with the QM3. The QM3 maybe less powerful than the QM5 but because it feels so light, you can have a lot more fun in it but not at all. After all, they're can be worth a brain burner if you do the math on both of these.

Photo: Renault Samsung Motors

Friday, December 2, 2011

Renault Koleos Phase II

2012 Renault Koleos

With the facelifted Renault Samsung QM5 on sale now, it seems that Renault's Koleos is following suit as well. The Koleos' minor change now sports a new front face that makes is sophisticated and the grille can be somewhat similar to the Renault Latitude. As for the interior, it remains the same as the pre-facelift model.

The Renault Koleos Phase II comes with FF or 4WD layouts. It is available in dCi 150, and dCi 175 engines. It seems that this new Koleos is now only focused on the Euro V diesel variants rather than gasoline variants because most of the Europeans think that diesel is cheaper than unleaded, well that's a joke. Anyway, the 2.0L dCi 150 engine produces 150PS of power and 320Nm of torque. This helps the Koleos reach 0 -100kmh in 10 seconds and it can do flat out in 183kmh. It can even achieve a combined fuel economy of 17.5km/L (5.7L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 148g/km but with the 4WD layout, it can achieve a fuel economy of 15.6km/L (6.4L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 166g/km and with the 6-speed automatic equipped, it can achieve a fuel economy of 14.1km/L (7.1L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 186g/km.

The high end 2.0L dCi 175 with standard 4WD layout produces 175PS of power and 360Nm of torque, helping the Koleos achieve 0-100kmh in 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 191kmh. It can even achieve a combined fuel economy of 15.6km/L (6.4L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 166g/km.

With two lines, Carminat and Exception, available the new Renault Koleos comes in six colors such as Beige Mineral, Blanc Perle, Gris Argent, Gris Mars, Noir Métallique, and Blanc Glacier.

My comment:
This facelifted Koleos is all about being update on Renault's first full-fledged SUV but too bad though, it's still not offered in the United Kingdom because of poor sales.

Photo: RENAULT

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Renault Samsung QM5 Minor Change

2012 Renault Samsung QM5


It's been a while since the Renault Samsung QM5 debuted since December 2007 but for the 2012 Model Year, the Renault Samsung QM5 received its much awaited minor changed and labeled as "NEW QM5" to meet the demands against its rivals such as the Hyundai Tucson iX, Kia Sprotage R, and Ssangyong Korando C. For a quick refresh, the Renault Samsung QM5 uses the Nissan C Platform that was used by the Nissan Dualis. It was assembled at Busan, South Korea and later exported to other countries as the Renault Koleos. On its latest minor change, the QM5 gained a new face that brings out the star factor within reach. The new front fascia looks elegant and stylish enough for the only crossover on Renault Samsung's lineup.

2012 Renault Samsung QM5 interior


With the front face heavily modified for elegance, the interior of the QM5 is mildly revised to make it a little bit luxurious and slightly premium enough for the customers. For an added premium, BOSE Sound System is added to bring out the best audio experience for the drivers while listening to their favorite music in either radio, USB connectivity, or CD player.

Two engine types are available for the QM5: a L4 2.5 CVTC petrol engine and a diesel-fed, Euro V compliant, L4 2.0 dCi engine. The 2.5L gasoline engine packs 171HP of power, 23.0kg-m of torque, and 11.8km/L of fuel economy thanks to the XTRONIC CVT equipped on it. The 2.0L dCi engine packs 173HP of power, 36.7kg-m of torque, and 15.1km/L of fuel economy when it is equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission while 14.3km/L for the 4WD variant.

My Comment:
The newly refreshed Renault Samsung QM5 keeps its promise to be even more premium thanks to its new face but retains the quality of being the only crossover utility vehicle in Renault Samsung line-up that consists of the medium-sized SM3, executive medium-sized SM5, and the upcoming full model change of the flagship SM7 premium sedan. With its new look, how can the QM5 stand up against the Hyundai Tucson iX, Kia Sportage R, and the Ssangyong Korando C? Time will tell but be patient...

Photo: Renault Samsung Motors