Renault Samsung QM6

A few moments ago, Renault uncovered their second-generation Koleos crossover and while it looks bigger than its predecessor, it's becoming one of the new Renaults to incorporate its new signature design since the Espace MPV last year, the Talisman saloon and estate, and the new Megane early this year. It's slated to be sold in most European markets, including France, this 2017, but first, it has to make its presence in Australia, Turkey, the Middle East, some South American countries, and China this year. Also, the second-generation Koleos will make its mark on the South Korean market as the brand new QM6, a larger, more luxurious replacement to the smaller QM5, based on the previous Koleos.

2017 Renault Samsung QM6

Alright, because the QM6 will serve us a preview of the next Renault Koleos, set to hit Europe this next year, time to dive into what to expect in this Korea-spec version sold as a Renault Samsung QM6. Because it has the same look as its sedan brother, the SM6, thanks to the new Renault norm look that has been plastered on new models as part of their "la vie, avec passion" company slogan, there's not much to tell on its design inside and out but take this, while this is exactly bigger than the old QM5, the new QM6's bigger dimensions made this on par with its potential competitors such as Kia's Sorento, Hyundai's Maxcruz, Ssangyong's Rexton, or even Chevrolet's Captiva (note: the one that South Koreans had). How it fares is everyone's guess.

2017 Renault Samsung QM6 interior

2017 Renault Samsung QM6 interior

Of course, even though you can expect typical Renault interior on the new QM6 (Korea's version of the next generation Koleos), its big dimension resulted to a much generous interior space for five people as well as better boot space big enough to fit most of your garage sale haul on the weekends. The QM6 offers luxury car features in a not-so-expensive crossover such as BOSE Surround Sound System and it even comes with Samsung's S-Link multimedia tablet screen on the dashboard, like the SM6 had, serving as a control center for functions like infotainment, navigation, communications, radio, and driver aids.

2017 Renault Samsung QM6

As a crossover made to challenge the rules, the QM6 feels like it's not your average full-size crossover at this caliber. In fact, it uses the same underpinnings used in crossovers like the smaller Renault Kadjar and the Nissan X-Trail, and platform aside, the QM6, as to be expect on the next Koleos, features ALL MODE 4x4-i, which constantly optimizes torque to all four wheels for stability on snowy and other slippery surfaces, as reminiscent to today's Nissan X-TRAIL done to its consumers. It can be switched to front-wheel drive or permanent all-wheel drive, depending on the conditions the road calls on it. No matter the weather calls on this car, it's always ready with its 4WD technology at its disposal. Not bad for a clever multirole.

Under the hood, the QM6 is available only with a 2.0L dCi engine that produces 177PS of power and 38.7kg-m of torque. Much to the dismay of being a European crossover with a Korean citizenship, the QM6 is mated to a new-generation XTRONIC CVT. Doesn't say much but it promises a combined fuel efficiency of 12.8km/L and CO2 emission of around 148g/km, although Renault Samsung were declined to explain the full story about the QM6's performance and ecology. What I did know that while they didn't disclose about its safety tech, it will theoretically had a large Array of Driver Aids (ADAS), which can be controlled from its S-Link tablet.

The asking price? It starts from 27,400,000 up to 34,700,000 Korean Won, which is more costly than the QM5 it replaces but that puts it near the spot where the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Santa Fe sit beneath their laurels. Even though this is a brand new SUV from the Renault Samsung lineup, this is just a fresh taste of what the next Renault Koleos can do when it hits Europe by next year, if they get all the paperwork done to do so.

Available colors: Cloud Pearl, Golden Beige, Ultra Silver, Urban Grey, Meissen Blue, and Metallic Black.

Photo: Renault Samsung Motors