Samsung Motors, which is South Korea's fourth biggest carmaker, and majority-owned by French giant Renault, has released new pictures of its third generation SM5 sedan, which is expected to go on sale across South Korea by the end of January.

The new SM5 is based on the current Renault Laguna, and uses a 2.0 litre petrol engine taken from Renault's Japanese partner Nissan, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. There will also be a turbo diesel engine available for the SM5.

The SM5 reportedly took 36 months to develop, and cost Samsung US$340million. Renault is confident that the new car will succeed and has plans to export the car. The SM5 includes features such as adaptive xenon headlights and massage front seats, while still costing less than its rivals from Hyundai and Kia.