GM Daewoo succeeded when parent company did not

Home > >

print dictionary print

GM Daewoo succeeded when parent company did not


SEOGWIPO - The curtain on Renault Samsung Motor’s New SM5 has finally been pulled down. At first sight the vehicle undoubtedly has made a huge improvement from its last change made in 2005. On the road the New SM5 offered a unique driving experience.

In test driving the vehicle over the weekend amidst the beautiful landscape of Jeju Island, the New SM5 lived up to its reputation as a premium family sedan.

The exterior of the vehicle stands out from Hyundai Motor’s New Sonata, which was released late last year. The vehicle is the New SM5’s main competition. The car’s designers took a distinctively different approach than they did with the New Sonata, which has a dynamic design aimed at a younger audience.

The New SM5 exterior has a calm yet sophisticated style. The refined appearance of the vehicle seems to have been created for consumers who prefer a design that is soothing rather than flashy. The overall appearance is simple and smooth.

In fact the impression I got from the car is in line with Renault Samsung Motor’s design philosophy for the New SM5 - “elegance,” “sophistication” and “precision.”

On the other hand, the rear of the vehicle has a more sporty coupe style with a curved tail lamp.

The interior of the New SM5 is a huge improvement over that of previous models. Opening the front door, the beige and brown dashboard give the interior a premium appearance. The vehicle has a dial system that sits behind the gear shift. The dial controls various systems from navigation to a radio and CD player. The Bose sound system adds to the enjoyment of driving.

The dashboard has a curved line that gives the interior a smooth and stable look. The glove compartment is spacious and so are the seats.

One of the vehicle’s best features is its massage seat system. This is a feature that is usually only found in high-end vehicles. This is the first time I have seen such a luxury service on an upper midsize vehicle. This system will undoubtedly be welcome on long distance drives or on a heavily congested road.

Another feature that enhanced the delight of cruising in Jeju was a perfume diffuser that infused the interior with a sensational fragrance.

The vehicle performed exceptionally well in cornering and driving over speed bumps. The handling of the vehicle was firm and well balanced. Additionally, after driving over speed bumps, the vehicle quickly picked up speed. The New SM5 also excelled in drumming down the noise. The interior was quiet even when driving at high speeds. The car’s fuel efficiency of 12.1 kilometers per liter (28.5 miles per gallon), is a 3-percent improvement from that of the previous model.

The SM5’s only drawback is the vehicle’s slow response when accelerating. Then again, the vehicle’s concept is of a premium family sedan and therefore it wasn’t really designed with accelerating in mind. The slow response is largely caused by the Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). Although the speed of the vehicle doesn’t pick up extremely fast, the Xtronic CVT’s smooth conversion of transmission shifts can be felt when driving on the road.

The vehicle’s breaks are outstanding. At an emergency stop the vehicle hardly shook, skidded or slid. But the vehicle is missing an electronic stability program. ESP comes in handy on frozen or wet roads and is standard on other vehicles of the same class. However, the program will be available as an option at a fairly affordable price.

The New SM5 stands out for its overall price competitiveness. The car is an average 2 million won ($1,800) cheaper than the New Sonata.

When the New SM5 is launched on Jan. 18, the competition between the New Sonata and New SM5 is likely to be fierce. But with the SM5 sporting the latest technology and a more elegant look, the car is likely to attract a more refined and sophisticated crowd.


By Lee Ho-jeong

Renault Samsung Motor’s New SM5

The interior of the New SM5 is greatly improved from that of previous models. Provided by the company

Log in to Twitter or Facebook account to connect
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
help-image Social comment?
s
lock icon

To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.

Standards Board Policy (0/250자)