Renault Talisman Facelift Breaks Cover With Fresh Design, New Tech

Renault made its best effort to excite us about the facelifted Talisman testing camouflaged prototypes on public roads in Europe but the truth is the refreshed D-segment model for the Old Continent can be best described as more of the same. The visual revisions are relatively minor but the good news is that there are improvements on the tech front.

Starting with the exterior, at the front, you'll find a slightly reshaped radiator grille and new optional LED matrix headlights with integrated dynamic indicators. At the back, the LED taillights get new graphics and there's also an additional chrome trim. Rounding out the visual revisions are a few new colors, as well as new 17-, 18-, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Stepping inside the cabin, the highlight here is the new fully-digital configurable instrument cluster with a 10.2-inch screen. Available with the Intense package, it replaces the previous semi-digital panel and offers "full customization with GPS navigation display for a unique driving experience."

On the tech side, as we mentioned above, there are now available LED matrix headlights, which improve visibility by up to 50 percent compared to older Renault models. Thanks to the addition of new advanced assist systems, including highway and traffic jam companion plus an upgraded Active Emergency Braking System (AEBS), the new Talisman offers Level 2 of autonomous driving.

Depending on the market, the refreshed model will be available with a few different combustion engines. Interestingly, no electrified options will be offered, at least initially, but the range will include Renault's latest 1.3-liter turbo gas engine with 160 horsepower (119 kilowatts) and a 1.8-liter turbo-four with 225 hp (168 kW). Diesel fans will have a selection between a 1.7-liter unit with either 120 or 150 hp (89 and 112 kW), and a flagship 2.0-liter DCi with 200 hp (149 kW) and a dual-clutch automatic.