2012 Renault Koleos Update Revealed Ahead Of Australian Debut

2012 KOLEOS Update: Australian details added.

Renault's Koleos has come in for its first major update, following its international debut in 2008. The changes bring a number of external and interior tweaks to the compact SUV.

Externally, the 2012 Koleos gets all-new headlights, a new grille and a new bumper design, bringing the crossover's styling more in-line with the the new Fluence and Latitude sedans.

It also gets new exterior mirrors with integrated indicators, new wheel designs and the new 'Cayenne Orange' colour option.

Updates in the cabin are less obvious, although a range of new fabrics and trims are available. The compact SUV's instrument cluster has also been subtly redesigned for 2012.

Internationally, the Koleos will be offered with Renault-Nissan's M9R inline-four turbodiesel, available in the Koleos in 110kW and 126kW tunes. A 130kW 2.5 litre petrol engine will also be offered.

Both engines carry over from the current Koleos, although Renault promises improvements to fuel consumption and emissions.

Australia

Speaking with TMR today, Renault Australia's Emily Ambrosy confirmed a late 2011 availability for the updated Koleos, with pricing and specifications to be confirmed closer to launch.

Renault's Australian arm will be looking to the updated Koleos to mark a change in the model's fortunes, with the current Koleos one of the poorest performing offerings in the compact SUV segment.

In May, just 33 Koleos' were sold, leading only the Octavia Scout (24) and the Suzuki Jimny (29), and falling short of the SsangYong Korando (59). The segment is ruled by the Hyundai ix35 (1035 in May) and the Subaru Forester (1004).