Renault introduces its new sedan Talisman at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, a car that can be considered as the French counterpart of the Samsung SM7. The model is basically identical to the SM7 with just a few slight differences on the front end - where we find a brand new grille - and a set of smaller wheels. The Talisman will be produced in South Korea and exported to China starting mifd-June, with a price of 38,652 Euros.

Measuring 4.95 meters in length, the new 3-box sedan from the French carmaker looks well-proportioned and boasts a quite rounded design. At the moment there are no news concerning the engine range of the Talisman, but it is expected to feature something similar to the 195 hp 2.5-litre V6 and the 290 hp 3.5-litre V6 of the Samsung SM7. On a side-note, the name Talisman had been previously used by Renault for a 2001 concept car which anticipated the design of the Mégane. Making a special appearance at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show is also the Captur Concept, that Renault introduced at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

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The Renault Captur Concept will be an important model for the company, heading for production as the French take on a Nissan Juke. While we’re not convinced the Renault line can support three SUV models, AutoExpress had originally reported that the Captur would go to production as a compact SUV, and another two models based on the Nissan Qashqai would be developed.

In this video we hear plenty of the Renault Captur’s engine: a 1.6 dCi with 160 hp and 380 Nm. The compact crossover could prove quite popular and so Renault is apparently planning the two larger models to expand the range upwards. While many components will be borrowed from Nissan, it seems that the French company will use this 1.6 diesel engine with 130 hp, and add the 160-hp twin turbo unit as well.

The model is important in itself, but would also seem to demonstrate that Renault has got some design inspiration back (through new design head Laurens Van den Acker) and will start competing in segments it previously left to the competition, moving away from its failed Koleos experiment. The new Renault SUVs should keep the flowing lines seen on the concept model, but we’ll be interested in checking out a less exaggerated production version when it’s ready.

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The Renault-Nissan alliance can certainly be seen in these live pics from Geneva of the two concept cars the French company brought along. There are the Renault Captur and R-Space concepts which seem to show an oriental touch to these Renault vehicles such that we would have been less surprised to see these design exercises on a Nissan (or even a Dacia).

The Renault Captur is the company’s take on a sports crossover model which is also intended to introduce some new styling for the brand. The Captur comes from the same design team as the DeZir concept, headed by Laurens Van den Acker, but it doesn’t quite catch our imagination like the DeZir did. It has a new 1.6 DCI twinturbo engine with 160 hp and 380 Nm of torque. Other features include a Visio System that projects information onto the windshield (Augmented Reality) and lightweight interior materials.

The Renault R-Space is a new concept in a sports MPV style. The interior has been designed for the family with the rear space dedicated to children. The R-Space has a brand new engine which is an introduction to a new generation expected from Renault: it’s a three cylinder 900 cc turbocompressed petrol unit with direct injection. It has been developed from the TCe engine range and has 110 hp and 160 Nm of torque. No eventual production details have been released at this stage for either of the two concepts.

Renault Captur and R-Space live at 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Continue reading: Renault Captur and R-Space concepts live at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show

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