Road Test/Renault Vel Satis: French car design has always been, well, different to any other country's. Now it seems that they've done it again with Renault's new Vel Satis. Andrew Hamilton finds it a good competitor for the Teutonic trio from Mercedes, BMW and Audi
The French, as we know, like to do things differently. Our experience in looking at their cars for almost half a century is that they love doing it their own Gallic way. We think of models like the Renault 16 which was highly acclaimed and probably the first hatchback back in the 1960s; the earlier Renault Dauphine which was highly disliked and of course, the ubiquitous R4 which was likeable if only because it was a load-lugger par excellence.
As for that most idiosyncratic of French manufacturers, Citroën, who can forget the DS? It first came out in the mid-1950s with styling that still looks futuristic today and it was technically innovative with its remarkable hydropneumatic suspension.
With this in mind, we welcome the Renault Vel Satis to Irish shores. See the Vel Satis in the metal for the first time, and a lot of people would assume that it's a concept car, the stuff of motor shows, so unusual are its lines. Yet Renault's latest creation has come straight off the production lines and is now in Irish showrooms.
Vat Satis was a concept car back in 1995 when it was called Initiale and Renault has bravely stuck with the radical original lines. Their latest executive class entrant steps into a slot that was occupied by the competent but uninspiring Safrane.
The press material read like a fashion parade of top designer names,such as Chanel, Cartier and Louis Vuitton; all cited as inspiration for the styling. Classically French, the car has retained many of its conceptual lines: a long, louvred bonnet with a distinctive grille, broken in the centre by a bold Renault badge. Large headlamps dominate the rest of the front view.
Look down the flanks and it's the height of the Vel Satis that will strike you. Renault claims it is 130 mm taller than the executive class average, making it extremely easy to enter and exit. At the back, broad C-pillars give way to a wraparound rear screen and a broad stylish rump with sleek tail lights.
Renault is keen for the Vel Satis to make its own, unique mark in the executive class which is dominated by German marques, like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The Renault notion is that there are a lot of executive buyers around who want to make a less mainstream statement. Renault sees its Vel Satis shining through as a distinguished and stylish alternative to this Teuton trinity.
Petrol and turbodiesel versions that range from a V6 3.5 to a 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol are on offer here. We drove the "basic" engine model but with the upper level Privilege specification level. It comes with a four-cylinder engine, a 1,998 cc unit that develops 165 bhp, goes from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in 9.6 seconds, and has a top speed of 131 mph. The 2.0 litre starts at €42,000 ex-works, while our Expression model is €47,000 ex-works. Renault here thinks it's in a strong position to challenge the Teutonic brand influence as well.
VEL SATIS majors on space: it has pleasant driving manners, of course, but its trump card is the interior. Innovative, spacious, well-built and unique, the cabin is a place any of us would enjoy occupying.
In the back limousine levels of legroom combine with genuine seating for five adults. The generous, well-padded front seats have integral belts and a dual hinged back-rest provides extra support for the upper back and shoulders.
When driving, the first impression is of being surrounded by a big heavy mass of luxury car. That feeling dissipates, however, on the road and there's no problem shifting it along at a fair lick in a supremely comfortable style. Comfort on the move was a priority with the Renault engineers. They say the key to the control of its large and high-centre-of-gravity body is its "Trigonal" rear suspension linkage, a compact system fitted around the fuel tank, exhaust and rear overhang that maximises space within the car. It also, according to Renault, provides excellent noise insulation and uncompromising stability under both braking and acceleration.
We found the Vel Satis very hushed on the open road at the maximum legal speed. Driving in the 2.0 litre was aided by a precise six-speed manual gearbox. The behaviour was predictable and stable. Over gentle undulations the ride was excellent, while driving fast over dips and crests will not cause crashing or bottoming out of the suspension.
But it's the space and opulence of the interior that we keep coming back to. Individual climate control is offered to both front occupants while rear-seat passengers with cross-the-legs comfort, are able to direct the flow and speed of the air.
Cubbyholes are everywhere, from a huge opening between the front seats, to deep flaps which fold down from the side doors. There's even a piece of wood trim which folds down before the front passenger to reveal a coin tray and two cupholders.
At the rear, the huge hatch opens wide to reveal an enormous and well-shaped boot that is probably the biggest in the executive or luxury sectors. It comes, too, with lots of intriguing gadgetry like the automatic handbrake.
If the car is stationary on a slope, a computer applies the brake and then releases it when sufficient torque is being sent through the front wheels for forward movement to be achieved.
The Privilege specification line includes leather upholstery, storage drawers under the front and rear seats, a rear central arm rest with integrated cup holders, electrically operated and heated front seats and much more. It all fits into the picture of a truly innovative car with an inspired, stylish and salubrious interior.
The 2.0 litre wasn't too demanding on our pocket at the pumps, during a week of driving. We returned 38.2 mpg on long country runs. On short runs and around the city, consumption fell to 28.4 mpg.
In short, Vel Satis must appeal to buyers who want a car that makes a bold styling statement inside and out and won't be seen in every management parking space. Bill Cullen, chairman of Renault in Ireland thinks the desire to be different will find an appeal with around 200 customers for the rest of this year: "We have space and luxury and a specification that the German opposition just can't match."
It certainly stands out from the crowd. It is a perilous business when volume manufacturers build executive or luxury cars. Renault thinks the way forward is being adventurous and bold. It's too soon to say whether the customers think that too, but we loved the fun of being different.
FACTFILE: Renault Vel Satis 2.0 Privilege
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION: 1,988 cc unit developing 165 bhp at 5,000 rpm. Front wheel-drive. Six-speed manual gearbox.
PERFORMANCE: Top speed, 131 mph, 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) 9.6 seconds.
SPECIFICATION: Very high level of spec that includes dual climate control. Privilege spec additionally offers a parking sensor, storage drawers under the front and rearseats, leather upholstery and heated and electric front seats.
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 38.2 mpg in long country runs, 28.4 mgp in a more urban environment.
PRICE: €47,000 ex-works. Vel Satis prices start at 42,000 for the "basic" 2.0 litre version with the Expression spec level
THE OPPOSITION
Mercedes-Benz C200 kompressor...... €42,160
BMW 325i.......................................... €47,150
Audi A6 2.0......................................... €39,930
Lexus IS200 2.0 V6............................. €39,080