Renault ups Koleos safety at no cost

RENAULT Australia has updated its Koleos mid-size SUV range adding its Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as standard at no extra cost.

The inclusion of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) across the Koleos line-up means Renault is only the fifth car-maker to democratise the lauded safety technology in the booming sub-$60,000 five-seat medium-SUV segment following the Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Peugeot 3008 and Toyota RAV4.

Other competitors including the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Escape, Holden Equinox and Honda CR-V offer the crucial safety technology either in higher model grades or as part of an optional equipment pack.

Renault’s AEB system uses forward-facing radar technology “to prevent or reduce collision risks if the vehicle in front should slow down suddenly or stop,” according to the French brand.

The safety technology will work in two stages, the first to warn the driver with audio and visual cues of a potential collision, and the second to prompt the driver to brake.

If however, the driver does not respond to the braking warnings, the electric stability control (ESC) system will first prepare the brakes with more stopping force, before finally applying the brakes automatically if no driver input is detected.

Under emergency braking situations, the driver will also be able to interrupt the automatic braking with the press of the throttle or tug of the steering wheel for evasive manoeuvres.

In addition to the AEBS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also now included across the Koleos range with the smartphone mirroring system projecting onto either a 7.0- or 8.7-inch display depending on specification.

Pricing remains unchanged across the Koleos range, with the entry-level front-drive Life kicking off the SUV line-up at $29,990 before on-road costs before topping out at $49,490 for the all-wheel-drive Initiale.

However, Renault is currently running a promotion with the base Koleos Life available from $29,990 driveaway as part of its end of financial year specials.

Renault’s mid-size SUV is powered by either a 126kW/226Nm 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine or 130kW/380Nm turbo-diesel mill, both paired to a continuously-variable automatic transmission.

Last year, Renault sold 3120 Koleos SUVs, a 104.7 per cent lift over its 2016 tally, to finish the year well behind segment leaders including the Mazda CX-5 (25,831), Hyundai Tucson (23,828) and Toyota RAV4 (21,077).

Renault’s Koleos has continued to grow this year, accruing 739 new registrations to the end of March for a 24.0 per cent year-on-year increase.

2018 Renault Koleos pricing*

Life 4x2 (a)	$29,990
Zen 4x2 (a)	$33,990
Zen 4x4 (a)	$36,490
Intens 4x4 (a)	$43,490
Diesel 4x4 (a)	$46,990
Initiale 4x4 (a)	$49,990

*Excludes on-road costs