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Recently, the French automaker released a teaser image of their upcoming car named the Talisman, which will make its world premiere at the Beijing Motor Show come 23 April 2012. According to the Webster online dictionary: "A talisman is an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune. It is something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects". This is certainly the effect that Renault hopes to achieve with its soon-to-be introduced Talisman sedan in China. Actually, the Renault Talisman is not 'all new' so to say. It is actually a rebadged version of the Samsung SM7 sedan, which was launched in South Korean back in Aug 2011. For those unaware, Renault bought a 70 percent stake in Samsung back in September 2000. In South Korean, the SM7 is offered with a choice of two Nissan V6 engines, namely a 2.5-litre generating 190hp with 243Nm of torque and a 3.5-litre producing 258hp and 330Nm. In today's age and technology, such outputs can be derived from a 2.0-litre turbocharged lump. The Talisman is expected to get similar power plants. This not the first time Renault is selling a rebadged Samsung outside South Korean. The Renault Latitude that we are getting in Singapore is actually a rebadged Samsung SM5. Renault SM7

Following the teaser shots circulating online recently, Renault-Samsung has officially unveiled the new SM7 concept at the Seoul Motor Show. The current SM7 model has been on the market since 2004. Designed to preview the production model, the concept features a coupe-like profile with a prominent grille. Modern LED lighting units are present as expected. The red lighting stripe which stretches across the boot reminds me of the Saab 9-5. Nice touch. I hope that the integrated dual exhaust system makes it to the production version. Specifications haven't been announced, but the car reportedly rides on the D platform which underpins the Nissan Maxima / Nissan Teana (JDM). This means engine options will likely include a 2.5-liter V6 with 182 hp and 232 Nm of torque as well as a 3.5-liter V6 that develops 251 hp and 335 Nm of torque. The new SM7 is expected to arrive in production form in the second half of 2011. There are no plans for selling the car in Europe, since Renault says it doesn't intend to have a bigger car than the Latitude in its range.