Cool comforts of a sports car, fit for the family
Smooth is the key for the new SM3, which also boasts better design inside and out.
June 29, 2009
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The second generation SM3 from Renault Samsung
A silky smooth driving experience was what Renault Samsung Motors had in mind when it was designing its second generation SM3 - out next month. It seems to have hit its mark.
Not bad for a midsize vehicle the automaker says was designed exclusively for families with young children.
With its sporty and sophisticated design, the vehicle, the largest in the small and midsize vehicle class, is also bound to appeal to the base of young drivers in their early 20s and 30s who flocked to the first SM3.
The vehicle’s Xtronic transmission system allows the driver to go at top speeds without feeling any shifting between gears. Silky smooth as promised, and none of the sudden jerk at ignition.
This is a vast improvement from the previous SM3, and the vehicle is likely to give its competitors - Hyundai Motor’s Avante and GM Daewoo’s Lacetti - a run for their money.
The new SM3 astonished visitors to the Seoul Motor Show, where it was unveiled in April, with its completely redesigned look. The car sparked the interest of many of the young consumers in attendance and topped the passenger vehicle category.
The vehicle handles well overall. The wheel doesn’t take much muscle to maneuver but when driving at high speeds, it starts to feel heavy, allowing for better control of the vehicle.
The vehicle’s Electronic Stability Program offers a good measure of stability even at high speeds, which increases safety. The ESP system also adjusts the vehicle’s alignment to allow for better balance on curvy roads, thus eliminating the feeling of being tilted sideways when going around corners.
The smooth ride isn’t the only performance improvement generated from the Xtronic transmission. The transmission system has also increased the vehicle’s fuel economy from 13 kilometers per liter (30 miles per gallon) to 15 kilometers per liter.
The vehicle also gets a safety upgrade thanks to its EBD-ABS, or Electronic Brake Force Distribution-Anti-lock Braking System, which allows the vehicle to come to a full stop at short distances. This is a big help on slippery roads, helping to prevent the driver from losing control of the vehicle.
Of course, with all that emphasis on smoothness and safety, it does take the vehicle some time to get up to speed, but the new SM3 is a family car, after all.
Meanwhile, the vehicle’s design has also seen improvement, both inside and out.
The redesigned rear gives the vehicle a sharper and more sophisticated look than that of previous models. The new SM3 is also 100 millimeters longer and wider than its predecessor and 40 millimeters higher. This gives it the look and feel of a premium sedan. The longer head and snazzy rear lamp also give it a dynamic look.
Inside, the space is larger, with more room in the back seat if you’re taking the kids in tow or taking around long-legged guests.
When SM3 debuted in 2002 it was expected to dominate the small and midsize sedan market. However, the lack of space in the back seat was considered to be a weakness that held it back.
The second generation SM3 has completely redesigned the back seat to ensure there is more leg room.
The back seat can also be folded flat for outdoor enthusiasts who want to store big equipment such as snowboards, bicycles and other sports gear.
The new SM3 is also the first midsize vehicle with an Air Quality System and Combination Filter, an independent air cooling system that provides a cool breeze to the passengers in the back seat.
The new SM3 is also outfitted with some pretty fancy high-tech gadgets provided for sound and comfort.
It is the first, and only, in its category to install a Bose sound system, giving it the best sound in its class.
Even better, all that high quality sound suffers none of the usual interruptions from the noise generated by other vehicles at high speeds because here it is blocked out for a driving experience that is practically silent.
The vehicle also has a Bluetooth MP3 audio streaming system for as much music as its occupants can handle.
The door of the vehicle opens automatically when a hand is passed through the door handle but only when the driver is in possession of the smart key, which swaps signals with the sensors in the handle.
The smart key also lends a hand in getting things started. With the palm-sized device in hand, all that’s needed to start the vehicle is a quick press of the keyless ignition system’s on/off button.
The interior of the newly redesigned SM3 has a Bose sound system and Bluetooth MP3 audio streaming system. Provided by the company
The vehicle will sell for between 14 million won ($10,913) and 18 million won.
By Lee Ho-jeong [
[email protected]]
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