By Choi He-suk

Renault Samsung Motors Co.'s New SM3 compact sedan was revealed to the media at a test drive event last week. The car is scheduled for local launch in early July. It will be priced in the 14 million won ($11,100) range. The most expensive RE trim will be priced in the 18 million won range. The exact prices will be made known nearer the time of the launch.

The car is the first full-model change the company has given the SM3 compact sedan, which was first launched in 2002.

The New SM3 will target motorists in their 30s as a family car while the old version, which is not being discontinued, will continue to be marketed to younger drivers.

"The SM3 will be continued for the time being as there is still demand for the vehicle, but for how long the car will be produced has not yet been decided," said Song Eung-seok, the program director for New SM3 development.

"As the target consumers are different for the two cars, there will not be cannibalization between the New SM3 and SM3."

The car will be exported under the Renault brand, but the company said that the export destinations have not yet been decided.

The New SM3, which manages 15 kilometers per liter of fuel, is built on Renault Nissan Alliances' C-platform and comes with the 1.6-liter H4M engine and the Xtronic continuously variable transmission.

The company has gone far to make the New SM3 stand out. As with other recently-launched compact sedans, the New SM3 is laden with features usually reserved for larger segments.

Such features include a Bose sound system and air conditioning system that can be independently controlled for the driver and passenger seats.

The car is also the first compact to come with a 6-way adjustable driver's seat.

The New SM3 is the only vehicle in its segment to come with a smart card system that allows drivers to lock and open the door and turn on the ignition by remote control. A built-in, touch operated navigation system with a 7-inch screen is also available for the two most expensive trims, LE Plus and RE.

Standard safety features include Electronic Brake Force Distribution-Antilock Braking System and Brake Assist System. The car also has the largest brake discs in the compact car segment.

A passenger airbag is fitted as standard equipment, and side and curtain airbags are available as optional features in all trim levels.

In addition to having high-tech convenience and safety features, the New SM3 has been given the largest body in its segment, giving the car a spacious interior.

Having spent 320 billion won and 31 months developing the new car, the company has high hopes for the New SM3.

Although Renault Samsung officials declined to provide exact sales targets, company executives said that the company is hoping that the New SM3 will become one of the two best selling compact cars or even take the top place in the segment.

To take the second place, the company will have to sell more than 4,000 units of the car per month. To overtake Hyundai Motor Co.'s Avante, the country's bestselling compact car of which 41,909 units have been sold during the first five months of the year, Renault Samsung will have to sell over 8,000 units per month. --The Korea Herald/Asia News Network

cheesuk@heraldm.com