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
25 Comments:
saab 9-x????totally "un-renaultish" design!!wtf?
I don't believe it will be on sale in Australia.... they struggle with Laguna sales as it is! What use is there of a sedan that big in a small market here?
Looks like a rebadged Infiniti GS
Now Laguna has the sedan version.
4m89... Come on, who needs such a long one?
Dashboard is still too BM'ish for me.
So instead of controversial and quirky, you have boring and soulless
Renault has tried global-dull before (Safrane - shudder) and it totally bombed - outside the French Government, who'll buy this plain-Jane horror?
Pour moi, le Citroen C6 s'il vous plait!
The headlights and grille look too much like Lexus LS460!
A low-cost big sedean !!!
From Samsung ......
Renault make mistake .
Should be badged ... DACIA !!!!!!
What a dull boring looking car, what has happened to Renault's designers?
I agree only the french government will be the buyers of this uninspiring non-entity.
ungly...they might as well sell it as a DACIA...people would buy it then as a very cheap big sedan....
Looks Cheap.. oops sorry reanult oops sorry samsung, oops sorry Huyndai Knock off, oops Vw knocofff. Renault is only fairly good for hatches... the rest it has to get form Nissan and Samsung... yaykes the rhombus is nearly dead..... Splat!!!!
W's Up Renault guys? Where is your head? This is b......t!
Glad that Europe has the lowest priority for sale of this mind numbing clone!
As for long length... the Skoda Superb is already trying to justify its 4.83m anyway.
Russia, North Africa, and Turkey are definitely the most important markets for this car. The Australian market will get it as they already have one mainstream version in the shape of a Nissan Maxima! This strongly suggests that Renualt badged cars will be flying straight out of Korea/Thailand, without a French hand even touching them.
French factory workers will be striking soon me thinks!
This is a glorified version of the Laguna... a saloon/sedan that isn't doing well in sales... And if someone were to photoshop a Toyota logo (in place of Renault)... My reactions would be a next-gen Camry or Allion... and they are as plain as bread and butter...
This one looks definitly like a Saab - and Saab was not a success.
And dear American readers: If you compare some cars to your subprime rice crackers from "China" like Lexus or Infiniti, please be so kind and put a link to a picture next to your comparsion. Expept you and your local Wal Mart dealer no one knows these cars.
"Expept you and your local Wal Mart dealer no one knows these cars."
You never know about Google, dont you?
Renault can not make any sedan, their sedan cars are just base in the poor Samsung. FAILED !
Fluence = rebadged Samsung SM3
Safrane = rebadged Samsung SM7
Latitude = rebadged Samsung SM5
Even SUV: Koleos = rebadged Samsung QM5
Ok, after Renault take over SsangYong (rumour), they can rebadge more SUVS :))
Passatish, Hyundaish, Saabish, Lexusish; but none of them....just a soulless car with a renault badge...are they making special effort to be boring?
Tepid quasi-E segment saloon mainly for developed countries,she's a "worthy" rival for Hyundai Grandeur as well as Kia Opirus,not for the likes of Audi A6,Saab 9-5,and VW Passat.
I assess she is a product of Renault's "crime of conscience",underestimating European demand yet focusing on naive needs in developed countries(namely "conservative,bulky styling" and "soft ride on bumpy roads").
Her design is as soulless as the Kia Magentis,so the Hyundai Sonata is much more attractive!
i like it!
For those of you in Euroland who don't know all the Lexus and Infinity models, there is Google images, you know. But they all reinterpret BMW and Mercedes design anyway, so you are well aware of the original source! Many times I have seen some new Japanese car and my brain said "BMW" or "Mercedes" before I had time to think about it, starting at least with the original big Lexus (a slightly melted S class) all those years ago.
Anyway, this thing is very much a BMW with a little Saab influence. I thought Renault had just decided to be original and do new things in the spirit of the fab Renault 16 etc. Guess not, internationally at least. But for Europe this car seems like a big big mistake.
I still strongly think the the Renault Laguna III is a beautiful design as it well and truly represent true French flair and elegance. I really can't stand this new Latitude! Renault lost it's identity by introducing a car that is certainly not French in style, originality and individuality. If Renault Australia stop the Laguna I will never buy a Renault again. I bought 5 new Renaults in a row.
Whoever is responsible for this design is the Chairman of the Bored.
i like it!
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