Renault Samsung XM3

With the Renault Samsung lineup consisting of just the SM6 sedan and the QM6 crossover, the unsung Korean carmaker run under Groupe Renault's arms has added a new kind of car that will keep motorists confused because what that is is their first-ever coupe crossover called the XM3.

Priced at 17.63 million won plus additional costs, this is the first time Renault Samsung has gone the X factor for all unknown reasons no one knows after Renault Samsung has done almost a lot with their sedan offerings and their SUVs, not to mention selling Renault cars for the first time in South Korea a few years ago. With questions lurking about the future of the Renault Samsung with the abundance of Renault in the South Korean car market, looks like the XM3 shows that they're still pretty much in business for the Korean carmaker no one knows.

Similarly, the XM3 is basically known by the Russians as the Renault Arkana because by the looks of it, it's broadly similar to the coupe crossover sold by the Russians but unlike its Russian equivalent which runs on Dacia mechanicals, the XM3 runs on the same platform as the current Renault Megane and with the potential to sell it on the European market very soon, this Korean equivalent of the Arkana is worth the shock for anyone getting behind the wheel.

While the coupe crossover styling is unmistakenly German, just like today's luxury German coupe crossovers the world knows, the interior is unmistakenly Renault by the sound of it. Yes, drivers are greeted with the 9.3-inch touch screen which is not friendly for speedo boys if you know what I mean as well as the longer 10.25 TFT display which takes place from the typical speedos. Don't worry, there are knobs for the air-con and that's it. On the passenger side, this five-seater is not bad to make a living out of it and the boot space of up to 513 liters with the secret compartment opened means it can carry anything when taken for a family outing or for business in the case of TNVS or deliveries. A decent workhorse if you may.

The XM3 is powered by two engine choices such as the 123PS 1.6 GTe engine mated to a CVT and the 152PS TCe 260 1,332cc engine mated to a 7-speed EDC. The latter is the nearly enjoyable variant of the range because it's got some gusto to get going but being a front-wheel-drive only crossover, what the XM3's good at is being a showoff on the streets although some are bothered to look at a cheap coupe crossover that tries to behave like the Germans. Although cheap, the XM3 behaves almost like the Megane in a good way and it's basically not old-fashioned by the way it moves. That's pretty good but with numerous ADAS stuff in store, it's worth noticing.

The XM3 may be a Korean version of the Renault Arkana sold by the Russians but it differentiates from it because it's a sensible coupe crossover with sophisticated behavior too hard for words to describe. If this crossover has the potential to go Europe-wide as a Renault, there's a lot to be taken care of.

Photo: Renault Samsung Motors