The Renault Samsung SM7 is an executive car or full-size car (E-segment in Europe) that was produced by the South Korean manufacturer Renault Samsung Motors from 2004 to 2020.

Renault Samsung SM7
Overview
ManufacturerRenault Samsung Motors
Production2004–2019
Model years2005–2020
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size car/Executive car (E)
Body style4-door saloon

First generation (EX2)

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Renault Samsung SM7
 
A RS SM7 seen in Chile.
Overview
Also calledRenault Samsung SM7 New Art (KDM Facelift)
Production2004–2011
AssemblySouth Korea: Busan
Body and chassis
Body style4-door saloon
LayoutFront engine, front-wheel drive
PlatformNissan FF-L platform
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,775 mm (109.3 in)
Length4,945 mm (194.7 in) (2004–2008)
4,950 mm (194.9 in) (2008–2011)
Width1,790 mm (70.5 in) (2004–2008)
1,785 mm (70.3 in) (2008–2011)
Height1,475 mm (58.1 in)

In October 2002, Renault Samsung Motors started to work on the "EX" project, a new car based on the Nissan J31 platform[1][2] which shared underpinnings with the Nissan Teana (in Asian markets) and the sixth-generation Nissan Maxima (in Europe, North America and Australia). On 30 November 2004, the new car was revealed to the public as a high-end model. To distinguish it from the Teana various changes were made to the design with the aim of giving it a more solid image. The car had a significant safety equipment as standard. It was presented in five trim levels: SE, XE, LE, XE35 and RE35.[3]

Engines

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The SM7 is fitted with either a 2.3L or 3.5L Neo VQ V6 engine, developed by Nissan.[4] The 2.3L version was fitted to the SE, XE, LE trim levels and the 3.5L to the XE35 and RE35.[3]

Engine Code Displacement Power Torque
Petrol engines
2.3L V6 Neo VQ23 2,349 cc 170 hp (125 kW) at 6,600 rpm 225 N⋅m (166 lb⋅ft) at 4,400 rpm
3.5L V6 Neo VQ35 3,498 cc 217 hp (160 kW) at 5,600 rpm 314 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft) at 3,500 rpm

2008 facelift

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In 2008 a facelifted SM7 called New Art (Korean뉴 아트; RRNyu Ateu) was introduced, with a new front grille and improvements to handling and acceleration. The car dimensions were also slightly changed.[5]

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Second generation (L47)

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Renault Samsung SM7
 
A Renault Samsung SM7 used for test driving.
Overview
Also calledRenault Talisman (China)[6]
Production2011–2019
2012–2015 (China)
AssemblySouth Korea: Busan
DesignerAlejandro Mesonero-Romanos
Body and chassis
Body style4-door saloon
LayoutFF layout
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,810 mm (110.6 in)
Length4,995 mm (196.7 in)
Width1,870 mm (73.6 in)
Height1,480 mm (58.3 in)
 
Rear
 
Renault Talisman in Shanghai.

A new generation SM7, based on a stretched version of the third generation Renault Samsung SM5 (L43), was revealed and went on sale in South Korea since August 2011.[7] A near-production concept version was presented in April.[8] The development of the new car took more than 32 months, at a cost of about 400 billion won (270 million euros).[9] It was conducted by the R & D department of Renault Samsung.[10]

The powertrain consists of two third-generation Nissan VQ engines (of 2.5 and 3.5L) coupled with a 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The car has an integrated front bumper-grill with bi-xenon adaptive headlamps an LED lamps on the rear.[11]

Renault Samsung presented three trim levels called SE, LE and RE. The equipment, depending on version, includes three-zone automatic air conditioning, improved ABS system, special headrest, fragrance diffuser, massaging seats, dual-stage airbags, paddle shifting and pressure-sensitive dampers.[11]

Engines

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Engine Code Displacement Power Torque
Petrol engines
2.5L V6 VQ25 (2ZV) 2,495 cc 190 hp (140 kW) at 6,000 rpm 243 N⋅m (179 lb⋅ft) at 4,400 rpm
3.5L V6 VQ35 (5ZV) 3,498 cc 258 hp (190 kW) at 6,000 rpm 330 N⋅m (243 lb⋅ft) at 4,400 rpm

In August 2015, Renault Samsung introduced a liquified petroleum gas-powered SM7.[12]

2012 facelift

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The 2013 model year of the SM7 added a blind spot monitor system, a new satellite navigation and multimedia system and tyre pressure sensors. It also had minor changes to the front grille design.[13]

2014 facelift

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In September 2014 Renault Samsung unveiled a facelifted SM7, the SM7 Nova (Korean노바; RRNoba). The car incorporated the renovated design of the company introduced in the QM3, with a new front-end layout.[14][15] It has a new infotainment system and a "smart mirroring" application.[15] "Nova" is the Latin word for new star.[16]

Renault Talisman

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The Renault Talisman is a revised version of the SM7 sold exclusively in the Chinese market since June 2012, under the Renault marque. It was Renault's flagship saloon in China.[17]

The Talisman takes its name from a 2001 concept car[18] and was unveiled at the 2012 Auto China.[19] The aim of its introduction was to reach the young businessmen.[17]

End of production

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According to press reports, Renault Samsung stopped production of the SM7 in late 2019 and all stock was sold by early January 2020.[20] The company removed the car from sale on its website that month.

References

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  1. ^ "Seoul show: Samsung teases sleek new SM7 sedan".
  2. ^ "Renault Samsung SM7 Concept Seoul show teaser - Drive".
  3. ^ a b "르노삼성의 운전 재미가 살아있는 최고급세단 – SM7" [Renault Samsung's high-end sedan driving fun is alive – SM7] (in Korean). Autoview.co.kr. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Renault-Samsung SM7 in detail".
  5. ^ "Renault Samsung SM7 New Art 확고하고 차분한 감성의 진화" [Renault Samsung SM7 New Art: emotional evolution of a firm and calm vehicle] (in Korean). Carlife.net. 31 January 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  6. ^ 2013 Renault Talisman teased – WorldCarFans
  7. ^ New SM7 Archived 15 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine at renault.com
  8. ^ "SM7 컨셉트 온라인 이벤트 진행" [SM7 concept unveiling online event] (in Korean). Autoview.co.kr. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  9. ^ "Renault-Samsung SM7 in detail". Worldcarfans.com. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  10. ^ "Renault Samsung SM7 2011 Specifications". Archived from the original on 28 August 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  11. ^ a b Kim Jeong Hoon (7 July 2011). "신형 SM7 전격 공개···가격 3000만~3900만원대" [Impacting release of new SM7 prized between 30000000 and 39000000 won]. hankyung.com (in Korean). Korea Economic Daily. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  12. ^ "르노삼성, LPG차 'SM7 LPe' 판매 돌풍..그 이유는?" [Renault Samsung's LPG car SM7 LPe sales boom... but why?]. dailycar.co.kr (in Korean). 27 August 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  13. ^ "르노삼성, 2013 SM7 출시" [2013 Renault Samsung SM7 release]. auto.daum.net (in Korean). Daum. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  14. ^ Lee, Jae-won (7 September 2014). "SM7의 재발견… 르노삼성 부활 이끌까?" [Reinventing SM7: Renault Samsung will lead the resurrection?]. biz.chosun.com (in Korean). Chosun. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  15. ^ a b "Renault Samsung aims to sell 800 SM7 Nova sedans per month in 2014". english.yonhapnews.co.kr. Yonhap News. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  16. ^ "Renault Samsung rolls out New SM7 "Nova"". english.hankyung.com. Korea Economic Daily. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  17. ^ a b "Auto China 2012: Renault Talisman aims at young businessmen". 4WheelNews.com. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  18. ^ "Discover Renault Talisman on video". Renault Blog. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  19. ^ "Renault Introduces Talisman Flagship Saloon at the Auto China 2012". Carscoop.com. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  20. ^ "르노삼성 'SM 3·5·7' 단종…'XM3·캡처·QM6' SUV 라인업으로 빈자리 채운다" [Renault Samsung's SM3, SM5 and SM7 discontinued… XM3, Captur, QM6 SUVs lineup to fill the gap]. ETnews.com (in Korean). 9 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
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