Now Renault Heads For The Hills

Just when you thought there were enough SUVs to choose from, Renault is set to jump on the 4x4 bandwagon.

Auto Express Car Reviews

30th March 2005

Auto Express has discovered that the French firm is planning an all-new rival to Land Rover's Freelander, which will be revealed in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The newcomer will be the first fully fledged Renault off-roader, following in the tracks of the RX4, an all-wheel-drive version of the previous-generation Scenic. While only 3,000 RX4s were sold in the UK each year until it was axed back in 2003, bosses have high hopes for its successor.

Thanks to the partnership between Renault and Nissan, which sees the makers share technology and expertise, the new SUV will be based on the next-generation X-Trail platform. This will not only reduce development costs, but also give Renault access to the Japanese marque's 4x4 expertise.

As a result, the French company will be able to offer switchable four-wheel drive and an advanced stability control system for optimum on and off-road performance. And while the all-new X-Trail won't go on sale until 2008, its Renault-badged equivalent is set to appear in showrooms in 2007.