Renault Samsung New SM7 Nova

2015 Renault Samsung New SM7 Nova

The second-generation SM7, Renault Samsung's flagship saloon, has been around since it was launched in South Korea in August 2011 and has been around for three years here and in the People's Republic of China as the Renault Talisman. Yes, it's three years from now and it's time for the SM7 to get a minor change.

For the 2015MY minor model change, it's now called the "New SM7 Nova" and while it looks the same as the pre-facelift model, the New SM7 Nova features a brand new front face that, in my mind, looks better than the old one and this new look adds a dynamic flair for Renault Samsung's flagship saloon.

Although the interior looks the same as the outgoing model, there have been some minor updates to its hardware and for the fun of it, the "smart mirroring" system is introduced. The "smart mirroring" system uses Wi-Fi connectivity to link smartphones with the car's infotainment system. Best of all, it's standard on most variants.

2015 Renault Samsung New SM7 Nova

Like its pre-facelift model, the New SM7 Nova still comes with either a 2.5L or 3.5L V6 petrol engine while mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The 2.5L V6 petrol engine develops 190HP of power, 243Nm of torque, and a fuel economy of 10.2km/L. The 3.5L V6 petrol engine, on the other hand, produces 258HP of power, 330Nm of torque, and 9.4km/L of fuel economy.

The SM7 Nova starts from 30,400,000 up to 38,700,000 Korean Won.

Photo: Renault Samsung Motors

RSM revises SM5 and SM7 for 2014 model year

Renault Samsung New SM5 Platinum

 Renault Samsung SM7

Renault Samsung Motors, the SoKor-only Korean affiliate of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, lightly revised two of the luxury sedans from their lineup, the SM5 and the flagship SM7, for the 2014 model year.

Starting with the 2014MY SM5, newly designed 16-inch alloy wheels and black faux leather were added on the PE trim while the SE trim had is price now 600,000 Won lowered. On the LE trim, it now comes with blind spot information system  and for the SE trim, LED lighting package was added. For the LE and RE trim, a class-first ABS front seat headrest trim was applied.

Now onto the 2014MY SM7, the addition of the blind spot information system and forward warning system has been implemented for added safety. On the RE and RE35 trim, dark chrome 18-inch wheels, silver and piano black interior trim are implemented.

As for pricing, the 2014MY SM5 now starts at 24,500,000 Won for the SE Art model (the special one) up to 28,700,000 for the RE Art model. The 2014MY SM7, on the other hand, now starts at 30,280,000 Won for the SE model up to 38,650,000 Won for the RE35 model.

Latest RSM All New SM7 TV commercial took the idea from the Infiniti M Hybrid TV commercial

Seen here is the latest Korean TV advertisement for the all new Renault Samsung SM7. The latest full model change that is the extended version of the SM5/Renault Latitude and no longer based on the Nissan Teana but packs technology sourced from the Renault Nissan Alliance. 

Huh, looks like this whole Renault Nissan Alliance has paid off for this ad because this latest commercial took the idea from the Infiniti M Hybrid (Nissan Fuga Hybrid) TV commercial from the United States, using the motif of rewriting the history books.

See what I mean? Both the RSM All New SM7 and the Infiniti M Hybrid rewrites the history books. The Infiniti M Hybrid rewrites the history of hybrid technology while the RSM All New SM7 rewrites the premium sedan history. Well, Renault Nissan Alliance did it again!

Renault Samsung ALL NEW SM7

European Elegance - these two little words best describe a luxury Asian sedan that has a strikingly impressive European design and keeps it on par with its European competitors. For the Korean subsidiary of the Renault Nissan Alliance, Renault Samsung Motors has just unleashed the full model change of its flagship premium sedan, the SM7.

2012 Renault Samsung SM7

Back in the end of 2004, the Renault Samsung SM7 is released and this flagship sedan is highly based on the first-generation Nissan Teana. It was later gained a minor change in January 2008 under the new name, SM7 NEW ART. The SM7 competes against the likelihood of the Hyundai Genesis and the Ssangyong Chairman W. In the 2011 Seoul Motor Show, RSM previews the SM7's full model change via the SM7 CONCEPT and now, in August 2011, the arrival of the ALL NEW SM7 is here and the "EUROPEAN PRESTIGE" concept makes it more reasonable to fall in love with RSM's flagship sedan that is a part of the Renault Nissan Alliance. Is that count as the model from the planned Nissan Power 88?

For its full model change, the ALL NEW SM7 is no longer based on the Nissan Teana. It uses the extended version of the platform used from the RSM SM5/Renault Latitude executive sedan. The 4-door coupe styling is one of the key points why the concept term "European Prestige" is applied on the all new SM7. The whole details really stayed true to its SM7 Concept counterpart except for the rear view. On the SM7 Concept Car, the rear lamps were shaped like the Aston Martin One-77 but on the production version, it made it more like a Nissan Teana J32. I know that they should have retain the One-77 style rear lamps from the concept version but still it was worth it.

2012 Renault Samsung SM7 interior

At first glance, you might think that the all new interior looks similar to the SM5/Renault Latitude but this is all original. One thing I am particularly aware of is the headrests on the driver and the passenger seats because they look hideous and it looks like a Haven Troopers' helmet. Imagine what would go wrong if we seat on these? There are tons of premium goodies hidden inside the ALL NEW SM7 such as the massager for the driver's seat, heated seats, premium NAPPA leather, adjustable rear seats, Super Vision Cluster, and ambient lighting. Other conveniences include an available DMB navigation system, Climate Control, Soft Diffusion, Perfume Diffuser, Plasma Ionizer, USB connectivity, BOSE Surround Sound System, and loads of extras that will surely come in handy for this European Prestige.

2012 Renault Samsung SM7

The ALL NEW SM7 offers world-class performance needed for the sophisticated driver. It offers in two engine types such as the VQ25 and the VQ35 engine. The VQ25 engine offers 190ps/6,600rpm of power output, 24.8kg*m/4,400rpm, and 11km/L of fuel economy. The VQ35, on the other hand, gets 258ps/6,000rpm of power, 33.7kg*m/4,400rpm of torque, and 9.6km/L of fuel economy. They are both equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission with Manual Mode plus Paddle Shifters offered for the first time. To add more European Elegance in performance, a Sport Mode is offered for the first time, taking full advantage of the sport-tuned suspension for sports car-like agility.

For the world-class safety, the ALL NEW SM7 is offered with front and side airbags, Bi-Xenon adaptive headlamps, an enhanced bodyframe, Hill Start Assist, disc brakes, and a special system that detects incoming vehicles 50km behind. Cruise Control and Speed Limiter is also included as well.

The wide selection offers the following variants such as the SE (Sensitive Edition), LE (Luxury Edition), RE (Royal Edition), LE35 (Luxury Edition 3.5L) and RE35 (Royal Edition 3.5L). The RE35 is the flagship of its lineup. Available color variations include Glacier White, Ultra Silver, Midnight Blue, Mars Gray, and Pearl Black.

MY COMMENT:


The ALL NEW SM7 rewrites the history of luxury premium sedans forever and now, the ALL NEW SM7 targets the likelihood of the Kia K7, Hyundai 5G Grandeur, and Alpheon. Despite no longer based on the Nissan Teana, the ALL NEW SM7 is loaded of features offered from the Renault Nissan Alliance. For the first time in RSM history, Paddle Shifters are added to provide the exceptional feel of the sports car and with the Sport Mode, the advantages of the sport-tuned suspension will change the way you drive the ALL NEW SM7 forever. It takes a driver with a Noble Heart to master the essentials of the ALL NEW SM7.

Photo: Renault Samsung Motors