Renault Samsung Motors has unveiled and launched the SM6 in South Korea. As you may have already noticed, it's a facelifted version of the European Renault Talisman sedan with a new badge and other minor tweaks. However, there are some surprises under the hood.
Renault revealed the Talisman in July 2015. Half a year later, the Korean version of the midsize sedan lands between the SM5 (known as the Latitude in Europe) and the full-sized SM7.
Based on the demands of the typical South Korean driver, Samsung has fitted the SM6 with an exclusive lineup of engines and gearboxes that set it apart from the European counterpart.
“The SM6 is set to set a new standard for Korea’s midsize sedan market,” said Renault Samsung CEO Francois Provost during a media debut event held at Hanseo University’s Flight Education Center in Taean County, South Chungcheong Province. He hopes it will catapult the company to the number 3 spot in the market.
We have video footage of a more recent driving event that suggests the SM6 packs a 2-liter GDI, the 1.6-liter turbo GDI engine, the 2-liter LPLi, and the 1.5-liter diesel engine.
No, we haven't taken those names from a Hyundai press release, but the GDI engines are indeed naturally aspirated. It was a real pain in the backside to try and understand the Koreans, but we think we got the big picture.
The 1.6 Turbo GDI engine produces 190 PS and 26.5 kg-m of torque (260 Nm). That's 10 hp less than the Talisman, but the 7-speed EDC gearbox is the same.
The 2.0 GDI is a naturally aspirated engine with 150 PS and 20.6 kg-m (202 Nm) of torque, still connected to the 7-speed EDC. Things get really weird with an LPLi engine that we can only presume runs on natural gas. It produces 140 PS and slightly less torque, being connected to a CVT. The Talisman doesn't come with a CVT, does it?
Lastly, the SM6 1.5 diesel has not been detailed because it arrives later in 2016. However, Samsung officials already promise consumption numbers that have never been seen in this class.
Lastly, it's worth noting that the digital dash and huge R-Link system have been kept. However, the SM6 doesn't have the all-wheel steering system of the Talisman.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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