New Renault Latitude Sedan Takes Flagship Spot in Range

Renault has lifted the covers off a new flagship sedan named Latitude that will in effect replace the discontinued (and rather controversial) Vel Satis.

Described by the French carmaker as "its latest international status-enhancing family saloon" [sic..], the Latitude will get its first public outing at the Moscow Motor Show at the end of August, while Europeans will get their first view of the car at this Fall's 2010 Paris Motor Show.

For those of you that keep a close eye on global automotive news, the new Latitude won't come as a surprise as it's based on the Renault Group's 2010 Samsung SM5 sedan that recently went on sale in South Korea. And by "based", we mean re-badged and VW- re-grilled... [see pictures of the SM5 below]

Built on a modified version of the Laguna's platform, Renault's new flagship model features a conventional four-door sedan body instead of a five-door fastback form like it's 25, Safrane (not the Samsung-based Safrane) and Vel-Satis predecessors

The Latitude measures 4.890mm in length, 1.830mm in width and 1.490mm in height, meaning it's 195mm longer, 19mm wider and 45mm taller than the Laguna hatch.

Renault has not yet released details on the engine range, but motorists should expect the usual mix of petrol and diesel engines.

The French automaker said that the Latitude will be offered with a variety of features that place the emphasis "on innovation and travelling comfort", including a dual-mode air ionizer with double fragrance diffuser, triple-zone climate control, a massaging driver's seat, Bose Premium audio, the Renault hands-free card and more.

According to the company, the Latitude is due to go on sale this autumn in Asia, Africa, Russia, Turkey, Gulf, Australia and Mexico, with Europe to follow shortly after.

New Renault Latitude

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New Samsung SM5 Sedan

Carscoop: Korean Car Posts and Commentators..

This is an unusual post from Carscoop but we felt that we had to say something about a series of comments that we have been receiving from an individual(s) whenever we post something about Korean cars. Being negative or sarcastic is one thing and we totally appreciate hearing your thoughts, but calling people “idiots” or saying that they are worth dying in an accident if they own a Korean car for instance, is something unacceptable on our behalf (see one of the rejected comments after the jump).

Don’t get us wrong; we support the freedom of speech with all our heart, but you have to draw the line somewhere. Your freedom stops where the other's freedom starts… -Continued

Just to get a taste fo what we're talking about, here’s one of the comments we decided to remove from our post on the Hyundai Genesis Coupe:

Anon#2: You are doing a GREAT JOB!!

Eveyone should know the truth about hyundai/kia, koreans know nothing but CHEATING,COPYING and PASTING.

I wonder what's in their brain... dog crap??

So as those ppl who said those garbages are "good"?! It's really SAD...

There should be a law: "People who have hyundai/kia, when they have accidents on the road, they should not be saved by people, they deserve to die in the accidents anyway, dont waste the resources on them please!!"

Renault Group Reports 14.8% Sales Increase in February

The Renault Group, which consists of the Renault, Dacia and Samsung Motor brands, saw its global sales in February reach 196,692 units that accounts to a 14.8% increase compared to February 2007. In particular, worldwide sales of the Renault brand increased by 13 %, Dacia expanded by 57.1 %, while Samsung Motors fell by 20.3 %. In Europe, in a market that grew by 7.5%, Renault group sales rose 8.2% to 128,081 thus taking a 9.6% share of the market. Sales of Renault-brand passenger cars rose by 7.8%. Outside Europe, the Renault Group’s sales rose by 29.4%.

Renault Samsung Unveils QM5 SUV – Previews 2008 Renault Koleos SUV

Renault Samsung Motors., the South Korean affiliate of French automaker Renault, unveiled Monday (Nov. 19) its first ever SUV, the QM5 which will go on sale in the domestic market from early December. The same car but with a different grille will also be available under the Renault brand as the Koleos in 2008. The QM5 is based on the underpinnings of the Nissan Qashqai crossover which has proven quite successful in Europe. -Continued after the jump

We remind you that Renault had unveiled a pre-production prototype of the Koleos at the 2006 Paris Motor Show (click here) and of the QM5 at this year’s Seoul Auto Show (click here).

According to Renault Samsung, the QM5 will be built in the company’s Busan plant in South Korea which is capable of producing 100,000 units per year. The QM5 will be initially offered with a 2-liter turbo-diesel engine delivering 173hp while a gasoline version with a 2.5-liter engine will be introduced early next year.

During the launching ceremony in Busan, Renault Samsung Motors CEO Jean-Marie Hurtiger said that the vehicle was “invented by Nissan, styled by Renault and built in South Korea’’ -a direct result of the alliance.

Via: Le Blog Auto , Info: Korea Times