Koleos launched at Rs 22.99 Lakh

Renault India the wholly owned subsidiary of Renault s.a.s of France will unveil its small hatchback at the Auto Expo 2012. This model will be the third of the five products slated to be rolled out from the auto major’s stable by 2012 end. Deliveries of the hatchback will commence from January next year and will be followed by the launch of the compact SUV Duster by mid-next year. These models are expected to have a localisation content of 60 to 80 percent. Its fifth model will belaunched by year end.

Renault today rolled out its second model for the Indian market, its premium SUV the Koleos with a price tag of Rs 22.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Renault Koleos made its international debut in 2008 and this is the first facelifted version of the Koleos. This version has been launched in China first. Imported in CKD form in India, it will be produced at the company’s Renault Nissan Oragadam plant near Chennai and is equipped with a 2 litre dci diesel engine with a maximum power output of 150PS at 4000 rpm and peak torque of 320 Nm at 2000 rpm.

Marc Nassif managing director told media persons at the launch that Renault would later look at localising the powertrain of the Koleos over the long term. To compete in the premium SUV segment against the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and Chevrolet Captiva, Renault is targeting customers who are moving from the executive sedan to the SUV segment.

Its Fluence sedan that was launched in May this year has chalked sales of 700 units crossing the company’s target of 200 units per month. Len Curran, vice president marketing and sales says Renault is expanding its dealerships from the current 14 to to 40 by year end and 100 dealerships by 2012 end to facilitate the distribution of all its models.