르노삼성이 신차 QM3로 내수시장 반격에 나선다. 르노삼성이 신차를 출시하는 것은 2007년 이후 처음이다.

크로스오버SUV인 QM3는 지난주 개막한 서울모터쇼에서도 가장 주목받는 차 중 하나였다.

"패셔너블하고 세련된 디자인에 동급 최고의 연비를 자랑하는 QM3는 국내에서는 아직 생소한 크로스오버시장을 주도할 것이다,"며 르노삼성 프랑수아 프로보 사장 역시 기대감을 드러냈다.

이외에도 르노삼성은 한국에서 처음 생산되는 르노-닛산 얼라이언스의 신형 터보엔진을 장착한 SM5 XT TCE와 전기차 SM3 Z.E.를 선보이며 올해 내수시장 회복에 대한 기대감을 높이고 있다.

(코리아헤럴드 / 김지현 기자)

<관련 영문 기사>

Renault Samsung out to recapture Koreans’ hearts

By Kim Ji-hyun


Renault Samsung is out to recapture the hearts of Koreans, this time with a compact SUV crossover and the SM5 XE TCE that it rolled out at Seoul Motor Show this week.

The cars were distinctively cool, and reflected the promise the carmaker, which has performed weakly over the past few years, is making anew to consumers all over the world and in Asia.

The number of reporters who packed the Renault Samsung showroom was, if anything, testament that the company was ready for a comeback.

“Featuring a fashionable and sophisticated design and the best fuel efficiency and value in its class, the QM3 will start and lead Korea’s brand new crossover vehicle market with this unique offering of a crossover SUV,” said Francois Provost, chief executive of Renault Samsung Motors.

The QM3 was inarguably Renault Samsung’s flagship model for this show, being an urban and sporty crossover that is all about practicality, and is compact without losing its design edge.

The QM3 crossover — going by the name of Captur in Europe — is the first car that Renault Samsung has unveiled since the QM5 in 2007. Sales are scheduled to start in Korea in the latter half of this year.

The SM5 XT TCE is another powerful car Renault Samsung introduced with hopes to rev up its sales.

This particular model will be the first model featuring the high-tech direct-injection turbocharged engine developed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance in Korea.

“This turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engine ensures a great 190 horsepower and better fuel efficiency of 13 kilometers per liter, which we believe will draw keen attention in the local mid-size segment,” Provost said.

The SM3 Z.E. was another newsmaker at the Renault Samsung show. The electric-powered car will start sales as the nation’s first such vehicle in the small and mid-size segments.

The carmaker proudly called it the “essence” of its high technology.

On Friday, the carmaker signed a memorandum of understanding with the Environment Ministry and other industry partners to expand the use of electric vehicles in Korea.
(jemmie@heraldcorp.com)