Renault Vel Satis
Renault Vel Satis (2002-2005)
The Renault Vel Satis is a vehicle of the car manufacturer Renault, which was produced from spring 2002 to autumn 2009. With a length of 4.86 meters and a weight of about 1.7 tons of it belonged to the upper middle class.
When high-ranking politicians of France, the Vel Satis is next to the Citroën C6 as state coach use. The model name is an acronym formed from the words " velocité " and "Satisfaction" (French for " speed " or " satisfaction ").
The Vel Satis dissolved in April 2002 from the Renault Safrane, after a year, a study had been shown in an unconventional design before. Like already the Renault Avantime, the vehicle was an expression of Renault's effort to grasp with an unusual design in this vehicle segment foot.
After the revised version in April 2005 could not achieve greater sales success, the production of the Vel Satis in November 2009 has been set.
Was succeeded by the beginning of 2011 developed as part of Nissan's cooperation and conventional designed Renault Latitude.
Model history
The Vel Satis is based on the same platform as the Renault Laguna and Renault Espace and was mentioned as well as the types of vehicles in northern France Sandouville manufactured in Le Havre, Haute -Normandie.
The courage to stand out with a significantly different design from the traditional appearance of the upper middle class automobile, was not rewarded, especially by German buyers. In 2003, Renault has sold 1570 copies in Germany, a year later, there were 699, in 2008 only 51 pieces. In the UK sales significantly lagged behind original expectations. Instead of the predicted 3500 Renault vehicles only about a third were sold each year, so Renault no longer offered the revised model in a right-hand drive version.
When Euro - NCAP crash test, the Vel Satis reached five stars. As is common in models of the upper middle class of Renault has always possessed the Vel Satis, unlike conventional sedans, a large tailgate, making the transport of bulky luggage was also possible. In addition, the rear seats could be folded forward.
Values in [ ] apply to the version with five - speed automatic transmission * These motors are equipped as standard with a 5 - speed automatic transmission, All other data refer to the versions with six-speed manual transmission.
Facelift
In April 2005, the Vel Satis was revised. The modified vehicle, Renault manufactured before at the Auto Mobil International in Leipzig. At the exterior, the changes were limited to a new grille with horizontal instead of vertical slats now, and at the rear were modified rear lights and a modified rear bumper use. In addition, there was a twin exhaust system.
In addition to new exterior colors and alloy wheels all models now had chromed door handles. The interior was characterized by redesigned valves, higher quality fabrics and materials. The radio and navigation systems were optimized and has expanded the equipment. The keycard only had to be carried and a parking assistance for the front area was available. The engines of 2.0-liter gasoline engine received a power upgrade to 125 kW, as the new base diesel came the 2.2 -liter dCi without particulate filter with 85 kW ( 116 hp ) in some European countries for use.
Prices were last 36500-51000 euros, adjusted for equipment below the prices of comparable German rivals of the upper middle class.
Rear view
Values in [ ] apply to the version with five - speed automatic transmission * These motors are equipped as standard with a 5 - speed automatic transmission, From 2006, the 3.0 dCi V6 24V was equipped with a 6- speed automatic transmission. All other data refer to the versions with six-speed manual transmission.
End of production
In March 2007, Renault vice-chief Pélata had in an interview the question of a successor to the Vel Satis in the negative, as Renault wants to withdraw from the segment of the upper middle class. In July of the same year but was then a successor based on the technique of Samsung SM7 announced.
In the fall of 2009, production of the Vel Satis was adjusted. Over a period of almost eight years, 62 202 copies had been sold. The last Vel Satis, which rolled off the production line on 12 November 2009 was made available to the organizers of the Cannes Film Festival are available.
Media presence
An early Renault Vel Satis was in the film The Da Vinci Code - The Da Vinci Code use. He is the monk Silas, played by Paul Bettany, directed during a dramatic drive through Paris.