Renault Vel Satis

Infobox Automobile


name = Renault Vel Satis
manufacturer = Renault
assembly =
production = 2001-Present
body_style = 5-door hatchback
layout = FF
class = Executive car
engine = straight-4 and V6
length =
width =
height =
similar =
designer = The Renault Vel Satis is an mid-size luxury car or executive car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. It was launched at the 2001 Geneva Motorshow to replace the already-discontinued Safrane and has nothing in common with the 1990s concept car of the same name.

Overview

The Vel Satis is distinguished by its unusual height, which benefits interior space but results in rather ungainly proportions. It has a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating and is available with a variety of engines:
* 4-cylinder, 16-valve, turbocharged 2.0-liter
* Nissan-sourced 24-valve, 3.5-liter V6
* 4-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.2-liter direct-injection turbodiesel
* Isuzu-sourced 24-valve 3.0-liter direct-injection turbodiesel

The Vel Satis shares its "platform" (chassis, powertrain, assembly process) with the Laguna and Espace IV and is produced on the same assembly line in Sandouville, France.

Renault UK decided not to develop a right-hand drive version of the facelifted 2005 year model Vel Satis, as sales of the model had been poor in the United Kingdom since launch. Although 3,500 sales predicted, only a third of these were achieved.

This came only two years after the Avantime coupé/MPV was discontinued by Renault, which was equally as ambitious in its design.

The 2006 model year Vel Satis features a reprofiled front grille section with less chrome, giving it an appearance similar to more recent concept cars from the brand.

External links

About the car

* [http://www.renault.com/renault_com/en/main/40_VEHICULES_ET_SERVICES/10_Vehicules/Catalogue/Vel_Satis/index.aspx Official site]
* [http://www.autoguidewiki.com/Renault_Vel_Satis AutoGuideWiki.com]
* [http://www.renaultvelsatis.nl Dutch Renault Vel Satis enthusiast site, many photos and interesting brochures]