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• Renault Vel Satis

Renault Vel Satis

Vel Satis is an elegant four-seat coupe, "avant-garde" in both concept and design. It combines a respect for the "traditional values" of top-line models with a spirit of individuality, freedom of expression, and refinement which is very French and very Renault.

The Renault Vel Satis defines a new and alternative direction for executive and luxury cars of the future. More than other car market segments, the approach to the design of top-range models varies greatly depending on the manufacturer and the ruling culture of each country. For some people, top-range implies a classic combination of traditional luxury materials (leather, wood, and quality carpet), but for others it constitutes an expression of power supported by complex technology. The conceptual and design approach is, overall, very conventional, confined to three-box four-door and two-door layouts or to luxury estate cars.

The 1995 Initiale and 1998 Vel Satis concept cars symbolise the spirit of Renault's top-range models to be launched within the next three years: forward-looking concepts distinct from the conventional three-box saloon, with strong and elegant design, offering typically French comfort and refinement, with advanced technology which is discreet in the way it interfaces with the user. They express a determination to make the "traditional top-range values" evolve in the same way as the monospace layout of the Espace and Grand Espace brought new ideas to the sector.

An innovative approach to the four-seat Coupe.

A top-range, four-seat "coupe de ville", the Vel Satis departs from the traditional approach to this concept. It offers a forward-looking combination of the architectural features of the one-box form with unique rear styling, a contemporary interpretation of the values handed down from the tradition of the great automotive body-builders.

Combining interior space with four full-size seats and the styling exclusiveness of the coupe, the Vel Satis is a grand touring car capable of long journeys in absolute comfort. Far from seeking pure performance, its 3-litre V6 24V engine provides smoothness and flexibility, with deep-lunged power. Developed from the engine used in the New Laguna V6, it produces 210bhp (up from 194bhp) and a maximum torque of 290Nm. Satisfying the Euro 2000 emission limits, it drives through a five-speed automatic transmission with sequential shifting.

An avant-garde design

Vel Satis offers a new solution in terms of layout, in an elegant and refined design. The style is clean and incisive, with taut lines in the forward section and a simply rounded back end. The contrast between the long front overhang and the extremely short rear overhang creates a dynamic aspect.

Drawing inspiration from the bonnets of the pre-war Renaults, such as the 40CV, Vel Satis has the Renault "diamond" placed in view, as though weightless, in a convex housing in the sheet metal. The vertical headlamps, a concentration of technology, are equipped with glass covers comprised of four layers, one above the other, responsible for light distribution. Two engine air intakes are positioned on either side of the front face.

The front section is treated in a one-box fashion, with a continuous sweep from the bonnet into the windscreen. The entire windscreen and roof is composed of a single piece of glass, formed using a technique specially developed for the Vel Satis. This glass component creates maximum lightness and exterior vision. This taut front end profile makes a deliberate contrast with the rear, with its rounded boot and panoramic vertical window. The boot opens electrically in two sections, like a jewel-case, in a double movement of the upper lid towards the window and of the lower lid towards the bumper. The rear lamp clusters, which use neon technology, are installed vertically, like the headlamps.

The sides, flat and high, contribute to the solid and protective air of Vel Satis. The wheels, flush fitted and of large size (20-inch), are equipped with the new Michelin PAX vertically-anchored tyres which do not deflate after a puncture.

Attention to detail for ease of access

Even though it is a two-door coupe, Vel Satis still benefits from extremely easy access. There are no keys, these being replaced by a badge. Whenever the driver approaches the car, the badge is automatically identified, unlocking the doors and de-activating the engine immobiliser.

The hinge-and-swing doors, among the biggest in the automotive world at 1,780mm long, are provided with a special linkage which slides them forwards. This ensures that while providing easy access to the interior, they open to a width which is less than that of the Twingo.

The wide door opening makes access to the rear of the full four-seat cabin easy. In addition, simply pressing a button set into the door frame automatically moves the front seats forward and lowers the rear windows. Once the passengers are seated in the back, sensors within the rear seat cushion command the return of the front seats to their original position and the raising of the rear windows.

Inside: clarity and real refinement

The layout of the interior fully expresses Renault's top-range philosophy: a welcoming and refined ambience, lightness, clarity, and aesthetic attention to the smallest detail. The design is avant-garde, a combination of traditional values and of a modern vision of a "motoring habitat".

The trim colours are light, a mixture of beige and silver/grey. The way leather and wood are used is innovative, seen in both the dashboard and the seats. The latter combine "Nubuck" leather with a top-range cloth taken from the world of furniture design, and are outstanding in their construction. All facia buttons are in vegetable ivory.

The "furniture" comprises four proper armchairs with head restraints which adjust sideways electrically, so that they follow the head of a passenger who may be resting in a corner of the seat. Each door panel houses two small cabinets with vertical sliding covers. When opened, these reveal a refrigerated compartment containing champagne glasses created by the Saint Louis crystal factory.

The dashboard, with its quality of execution, refinement and perfection of detail, has a purity of design consisting of taut lines and strong curves. There are no superficial details or useless gadgets, and only simple instrumentation.

Revealing itself only when in use, the instrument panel visor lowers and is raised only when the ignition is switched on. Vel Satis anticipates tomorrow's trends: the miniaturisation of components such as the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The centre console thus takes the form of the body of a harp, and appears suspended in space. A clock made by esteamed clock makers Mauboussin, housed in the upper section of the centre console, contributes to the elegance and refinement of the dashboard. On the passenger side, the traditional glovebox gives way to a series of pivoting jewel-case trays housing a CD-rom and keyboard and several storage compartments.

On the move, Vel Satis continues to astonish with its stationary steering wheel hub, with built-in controls. Only the rim of the wheel actually moves, which means the controls are always in the same place.

Sophisticated technology which makes itself discreetly availableto the user for the pleasure of travelling.

As part of its vision of the top-range car, Renault gives high priority to advanced technology, while at the same time refusing to permit futile complexity or to "show off" with over-obvious technology. However sophisticated and complex, technology must be simple and easy to use.

Renault, which led the way in navigation systems with Carminat, confirms its leading position with a telematic travel assistance system. Thanks to the use of the Pioneer DVD technique, allowing eight times higher storage density than a CD-ROM, navigation and guidance information can be complemented by cultural information on each area.

Two fold-away screens, built into top of the dashboard and the rear console between the two seats, offers passengers a running commentary on the journey. These two screens also transmit images provided by the rearward-looking camera housed above the rear window.

Year:	2000	Status:	Prototype produced
Engine:	Transverse V6, quad-cam, 2,946cc, 24-valve	Power:	210 bhp
0-60:	n/a	Top speed:	n/a

Related Links

Renault website
http://www.renault.co.uk