Renault Koleos could cost less

The French brand has already slashed prices on its Megane range, added the value-driven Fluence to the local lineup, and is now hinting strongly about reducing showroom stickers on the Koleos. The price changes and a stronger push in showrooms has lifted sales this year by 75 per cent to the end of June, with the June result alone up by a whopping 298 per cent.

The Koleos has just had a visual freshen in Europe and this will be the trigger to put the red pen through prices that currently start at $29,990 for a front-wheel drive model.

Renault refuses to confirm a price cut but is hinting strongly about a renewed push after the latest Roy Morgan research poll that shows the French brand is the equal-favourite with Volvo on customer satisfaction in Australia.

"We will be releasing pricing closer to the launch date. The new model will represent a styling refresh with added value," is all Ambrosy will say.

The Koleos, which shares is mechanical package with the Nissan X-Trail, has been an underperformer for Renault but has helped to boost its reputation among owners.

"We have sold 224 Koleos year-to-date and have almost run out of stock of current Koleos. Koleos is a core model in our line up. Since 2008, when Koleos was launched, we have seen a 53.9 per cent reduction in warranty rates. The Koleos benefits strongly from the Nissan running gear and has a distinctive, chic styling that sets it apart from other SUVs," she says.

Changes to the 2012-model Koleos are relatively minor and focussed on familiar mid-life update work to the front and rear ends, with a change to the interior trim. It will continue with both front and all-  wheel drive, with petrol and turbodiesel engines.

"We are excited now that we have a reinvigorated brand and a revitalised team to put behind the Koleos. The compact SUV market is a big growth area and although we haven't played as strongly there in the past as we should have, we will be playing hard with the new Koleos," Ambrosy says.