Renault Samsung SM3
Overview
ManufacturerRenault Samsung Motors
Production2002–2020
Model years2003–2020
AssemblyBusan, South Korea
Body and chassis
ClassCompact car
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive

The Renault Samsung SM3 is a compact car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Renault Samsung Motors from 2003 to 2020.

First generation (G10; 2002)

First generation (G10)
Overview
Also calledAlmera Classic
Nissan Bluebird[1]
Nissan Sunny
Renault Scala
Production2002–2009
Body and chassis
Body style4-door saloon
RelatedNissan Bluebird Sylphy
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,535 mm (99.8 in)
Length4,510 mm (177.6 in)
Width2002–2005: 1,705 mm (67.1 in)
2005–2013: 1,710 mm (67.3 in)
Height1,440 mm (56.7 in)
1,450 mm (57.1 in)
Curb weight1,160–1,185 kg (2,557–2,612 lb) 1,710–1,735 kg (3,770–3,825 lb)

The first generation SM3 was a rebranded first generation Nissan Sunny/Bluebird Sylphy made in South Korea by Renault Samsung Motors. Production began in September 2002 in Busan. It received a facelift in August 2005 (known as "SM3 New Generation").

It has four versions and two four-cylinder engines available: the original 1.5–litre QG15DE and the 1.6–litre with CVTC system QG16DE petrol, both from Nissan. The 1.6 was added in July 2004 as South Korean automobile taxation was changed; hitherto, there had been a prohibitive tax threshold at 1.5 liters.

In 2006, the SM3 was launched as Nissan Almera Classic in Ukraine and Russia. The same year, the car was launched in Central and South America as Nissan Almera, (Except in Chile where it was sold as Samsung), replacing Sentra after this became a large family car.

The SM3 was also sold as the Nissan Sunny in the Middle East[2] and as the Renault Scala in Mexico,[3][4] Egypt[5] and Colombia.[6]

In July 2009, it was renamed as SM3 CE (Classic Edition), with no changes to the exterior.[7] The company announced production of the first generation SM3 would be continued while demand existed.[8][9] The lineup was made smaller and only the 1.6-liter engine remained available in the CE model. The SM3 CE was discontinued in 2011 in Korea and was manufactured in Busan for the Russian, and Peru Market, under the Nissan brand. Production ended in 2013.[10]

Second generation (L38; 2009–2020)

Second generation (L38)
Overview
Also calledRenault Fluence
Production2009–2020 (ICE version ended production at the end of 2019)
Body and chassis
Body style4-door saloon
PlatformRenault/Nissan C platform
RelatedRenault Mégane III
Powertrain
Engine1.6 L H4M l4 (petrol)
2.0 L M4R l4 (petrol)
Transmission5-speed manual
XTronic CVT automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length4,620 mm (181.9 in)
Width1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Height1,480 mm (58.3 in)
Curb weight1,580–1,595 kg (3,483–3,516 lb) 2,130–2,145 kg (4,696–4,729 lb)

In April 2009, a redesigned SM3 was unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show.[11]

The second-generation SM3 is essentially a notchback saloon version of the Mégane 3 with minor cosmetic changes, also badged as Renault Fluence.[11]

In 2019, Renault Samsung ceased production of the internal combustion engined SM3.[12]

2012 facelift

In October 2012, Renault Samsung Motors introduced a redesigned front end for the 2013 model year of the SM3, with a new grille, headlamps and bumper as well as an improved equipment.[8]

SM3 Neo

To create a "family feeling" with a new model of the company, the QM3 imported from Europe, Renault Samsung Motors introduced a new facelift to the SM3's front-end for the 2015 model year, known as the SM3 Neo.[13]

SM3 Z.E.

Renault Samsung SM3 Z.E.

At the 2011 Seoul Motor Show, Renault Samsung Motors unveiled an all-electric variant of the SM3 called the Z.E. It is based on the Renault Fluence Z.E. and is partly financed by the South Korean Government.[14] The car entered into mass production at the Busan factory during October 2013. The company targets a production of about 4,000 units per year.[15] In 2013, its second marketing year and the first of South Korean assembly, the SM3 Z.E. was leader in electric vehicle sales, with a market share of 58% and 453 cars sold. The company attributed this to its AC-3 charger, its greater range compared to rivals and a better warranty for the battery.[16]

In November 2017, company introduced new SM3 Z.E. with range increased by 57 percent to 213 kilometers (132.3 miles) based on the Korean type approval cycle.[17]

References

  1. "Nissan. Nissan In China". Car-cat.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2010-07-25.
  2. "Nissan Sunny". DriveArabia.com. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
  3. "Renault Scala". Renault.com.mx. Retrieved 2010-07-25.
  4. CHACAL (2010-05-30). "Renault Scala llega a Mexico — Mundoautomotor México". Mundoautomotor.com.mx. Archived from the original on 2012-06-21. Retrieved 2010-07-25.
  5. "Renault Scala on ContactCars.com - Egypt". ContactCars.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-15. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
  6. "Sofasa-Renault presentó el sedán Scala en Colombia - Principales noticias de Colombia y el mundo". Eltiempo.Com. Retrieved 2010-07-25.
  7. Renault Samsung Motors SM3 CE Archived 2010-05-09 at the Wayback Machine
  8. 1 2 "Renault Samsung Reveals SM3 Facelift in Korea, Previews Updated Fluence". Carscoops.com. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  9. 2010 Samsung SM3 New Official Photos
  10. "르노삼성차 부산공장" [Renault Samsung Motors' Busan plant]. carmedia.co.kr. CarMedia. 17 December 2012. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  11. 1 2 "Renault Samsung SM3 Facelift Unveiled in Korea [Photo Gallery]". Autoevolution.com. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  12. "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.
  13. Park, Jin-hai (26 May 2014). "Renault Samsung Motors' facelift trio boost sales". koreatimes.co.kr. The Korea Times. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  14. "2011 SEOUL MOTOR SHOW". Renault.com. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
  15. "Renault Samsung Starts Mass-production of Electric Vehicle SM3 Z.E." english.hankyung.com. Korea Economic Daily. 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2013-06-11.
  16. "Renault Samsung aims to raise EV market share to 60 pct in 2014". english.yonhapnews.co.kr. Yonhap News. 2014-03-14. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
  17. "Renault Samsung Motors Unveils the New SM3 Z.E." www.carkrew.com. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
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