Renault has released the first teaser of its upcoming SUV model, previously tipped to be called the Maxthon. The spiritual successor to the outgoing Koleos, it is essentially a larger, more upmarket version of the Kadjar that takes aim at bigger SUVs like the Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, as well as the Nissan X-Trail on which this vehicle is based.
The video shown here appears to be the first of a series that will gradually tease certain aspects about the new car. Here, we get to see the headlight cluster, and it looks like the new SUV will gain the C-shaped LED headlight design first seen on the Talisman sedan and Megane IV hatch, rather than the more conventional trapezoidal items on the Kadjar.
As mentioned, the new SUV will ride on the same Common Module Family (CMF-CD) as the Nissan X-Trail. Tipped to measure 4,700 mm in length, it will be around the same size as its competitors, and slightly larger than the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 which the Kadjar competes with.
However, unlike its competitors, the new Renault SUV won’t be offered as a seven-seater, at least not initially. Renault CEO Thierry Bolloré said as much to Auto Express: “That doesn’t mean it will never happen, but for the moment it won’t have [seven seats].” He added that the vehicle has been engineered with seven seats in mind, and that such a seat layout “would be possible” at a later stage.
Chief designer Laurens van den Acker also poured cold water to rumours of a seven-seater variant. “I don’t think there are enough families with four kids to justify adding another seven-seat model,” he told Automotive News. Currently, those looking for a Renault with extra seats are limited to the Espace and Kangoo.
SPYSHOTS: New Renault SUV
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