Koleos goes automatic After hauling themselves back from the brink of anarchy by their owners a couple years back, Renault have all but overcome the gripes from their buyers and sniggers from their competitors by following through on their aggressive service-level remodelling campaign. Renault SA boss, Xavier Gobille, has been instrumental in turning around the brand’s reputation with the Confiance and 110% service-excellence campaigns, not only allowing existing owners to breathe a sigh of relief, but to also set a receptive stage for an onslaught of new models which started in 2008 and continues up until now. Mix this newfound passion for service and customer attention with Renault’s reputation for producing overall good quality, well priced and technologically advanced vehicles to suit almost every consumer, and there’s probably never been a better time to get yourself a French, diamond shaped keyring.
In amongst the onslaught of completely redesigned Clios and Meganes in 2008, was Renault’s first ever go at producing an SUV, or any four-wheel-drive, for that matter. The Koleos was an attractive soft roader looking to upset the mid-level Sportage/iX35/RAV apple cart by offering an attractive, safe crossover vehicle with perhaps a