Renault Safrane
The original 1992-1996 Renault Safrane
Manufacturer	Renault
Production	1992–2000
Predecessor	Renault 25
Successor	Renault Vel Satis
Class	Executive car
Body style(s)	5-door liftback
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive

The Renault Safrane is an executive car designed and built by the French manufacturer Renault from 1992 to 2000. Throughout its lifespan it remained the most expensive and most luxurious Renault available. It was replaced by the Vel Satis, and to some extent by the short-lived two-door Avantime. Image File history File links photo of the Renault Safrane taken by Thomas Forsman, uploaded and licensed under GFDL with permission File links The following pages link to this file: Renault Safrane ... Industrial robots welding a car body in the white section of a production line. ... Renault S.A. is a French vehicle manufacturer producing cars, vans, buses, tractors, and trucks. ... The Renault 25 is an executive car produced by the French automaker Renault from 1983 to 1992. ... The Renault Vel Satis is a full-size luxury car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. ... Car classification is subjective since many vehicles fall into multiple categories. ... Executive car is a British term used generally to describe an automobile larger than a large family car, but which is not a high-end or ultra luxury car, a multi-purpose vehicle or a sport utility vehicle. ... Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... A fastback liftback - Ford Mondeo Despite its three-box silhouette, the Daihatsu Applause is a notchback liftback A liftback is a car body style in which the cargo space (trunk or boot) is accessed through a tailgate that extends up to the higher end of the C-pillar and includes... In automobile design layout is the place where both the engine and driven wheels are. ... A front-mounted engine describes the placement of an automobile engine in front of or on the front axle. ... Front-wheel drive is the most common form of engine/transmission layout used in modern passenger cars, where the engine drives the front wheels. ... This article is about the class of vehicles. ... Executive car is a British term used generally to describe an automobile larger than a large family car, but which is not a high-end or ultra luxury car, a multi-purpose vehicle or a sport utility vehicle. ... Renault S.A. is a French vehicle manufacturer producing cars, vans, buses, tractors, and trucks. ... The Renault Vel Satis is a full-size luxury car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. ... The Renault Avantime was a coupé/MPV automobile produced by the French manufacturer Renault (though in fact designed and built by the French manufacturer Matra) between 2001 and 2003. ...

Background

The Safrane was launched in late 1992 as a 1993 model to replace the ageing Renault 25 in the full-size market segment. Its clean, aerodynamic styling was quite conservative and very typical of early 1990s car design, also quite reminiscent of the 25's. The Renault 25 is an executive car produced by the French automaker Renault from 1983 to 1992. ... The Renault 25 is an executive car produced by the French automaker Renault from 1983 to 1992. ...

All Safranes were five-door liftbacks with transversely mounted engines. Front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions were available, with a range of petrol or diesel engines and manual or automatic transmissions. All petrol engines were fuel-injected and were fitted with three-way catalytic converters, as required in Europe after 1993 for engines of all sizes. The Safrane was also the first Renault to be equipped with air bags. A fastback liftback - Ford Mondeo Despite its three-box silhouette, the Daihatsu Applause is a notchback liftback A liftback is a car body style in which the cargo space (trunk or boot) is accessed through a tailgate that extends up to the higher end of the C-pillar and includes... Front-wheel drive is the most common form of engine/transmission layout used in modern passenger cars, where the engine drives the front wheels. ... This article is about the class of vehicles. ... Renault S.A. is a French vehicle manufacturer producing cars, vans, buses, tractors, and trucks. ... An airbag is a flexible membrane or envelope, inflatable to contain air or some other gas. ...

History

The Safrane carried over the Renault 25's five-door hatchback design that had gained wide customer acceptance in France. Despite the traditional preference for sedan bodies in the executive car segment, Renault decided to compete on the base of added practicality of the rear tailgate and split-folding rear seat (not available from most sedan-bodied competitors), as well as originality. Given the preference for German sedans from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz of many executive car buyers, this can be viewed as good marketing tactics, allowing Renault to draw the buyers looking for alternatives anyway, rather than compete head-on. Interestingly, the Safrane featured slightly (but visibly) different front ends in different front versions, in an attempt to emphasize the unique status of more upmarket models. The Renault 25 is an executive car produced by the French automaker Renault from 1983 to 1992. ... Renault Megane hatchback, a proper hatchback which has shown huge success in Europe Peugeot 306 hatchback, with the hatch lifted and the parcel shelf tilted for access Hatchback is a term designating an automobile design, containing a passenger cabin with an integrated cargo space, accessed from behind the vehicle by... A notchback full-size luxury sedan. ... Executive car is a British term used generally to describe an automobile larger than a large family car, but which is not a high-end or ultra luxury car, a multi-purpose vehicle or a sport utility vehicle. ... The tailgate is a door that can be moved up or down on a vehicle, such as a pick-up truck. ... Audi AG, more commonly known as Audi, is a premium German automobile manufacturer and one of the worlds leading performance-luxury marques, with headquarters in Ingolstadt, Bavaria. ... For other uses, see BMW (disambiguation). ... This page is about the Mercedes-Benz brand of automobiles and trucks from the DaimlerChrysler automobile manufacturer. ...

The Safrane's design was a deliberate effort to overcome the 25's main weaknesses - insufficient chassis stiffness and poor build quality. Renault was also keen to take noise reduction to best-in-class levels. These constraints resulted in a much heavier car than its predecessor (+200-300 kg / 440-660 lb.) due to a heavily reinforced chassis and the liberal use of sound-proofing materials. The Renault 25 is an executive car produced by the French automaker Renault from 1983 to 1992. ... Stiffness is the resistance of an elastic body to deflection or deformation by an applied force. ... Renault S.A. is a French vehicle manufacturer producing cars, vans, buses, tractors, and trucks. ...

At launch in 1992, the Safrane offered six engines including one diesel:

• 2.0-liter, 8v I4, 107 bhp (80 kW/108 PS) (in markets such as France where engine size was a factor in yearly registration costs)
• 2.2-liter, 8v Douvrin I4, 110 bhp (82 kW/112 PS) (in other markets)
• 2.0-liter, 12v I4, 140 bhp (104 kW/142 PS) (only in markets such as Italy where engines above 2 liters are heavily taxed)
• 2.2-liter, 12v Douvrin I4, 140 bhp (104 kW/142 PS) (in other markets)
• 3.0-liter, 12v PRV V6, 170 bhp (127 kW/172 PS)
• 2.1-liter, 8v I4 turbodiesel, 90 bhp (67 kW/91 PS)

The Safrane's launch was free of the grave build quality problems that ruined the Renault 25's career. Critics praised the car's comfortable and spacious interior, excellent noise insulation, and incisive handling. However, the manual transmission's cable-actuated shifter (a first on a Renault) drew heavy criticism for its rubbery, uncommunicative feeling that spoiled the driving experience - a significant issue in the European market where more than 80% of cars sold are manuals. The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The Douvrin family was an all-aluminum straight-4 automobile engine made in a joint-venture between Peugeot and Renault in the 1970s. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... In automotive engineering, an engine is referred to as multi-valve (or multivalve) when each cylinder has more than two valves. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... In automotive engineering, an engine is referred to as multi-valve (or multivalve) when each cylinder has more than two valves. ... The Douvrin family was an all-aluminum straight-4 automobile engine made in a joint-venture between Peugeot and Renault in the 1970s. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... In automotive engineering, an engine is referred to as multi-valve (or multivalve) when each cylinder has more than two valves. ... Volvo version of the PRV engine The PRV engine is an automobile petrol V6 engine that was developed jointly by Peugeot, Renault and Volvo Cars and sold from 1974 to 1998. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... Turbo redirects here. ... Diesel engines in a museum Diesel generator on an oil tanker A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine which operates using the Diesel cycle. ... The Renault 25 is an executive car produced by the French automaker Renault from 1983 to 1992. ... Renault S.A. is a French vehicle manufacturer producing cars, vans, buses, tractors, and trucks. ...

Critics would also conclude that the car's acceleration and fuel economy was not up to the competition's standards, pointing out towards the engine's relative lack of power and torque compared to the vehicle's weight. As a result, sales outside France (where national preference guaranteed good results) remained limited, and the Safrane did not break the Germans' lock on the executive car market.

In late 1993, a 115-bhp, 2.5-liter turbodiesel has been added to the range, increasing Safrane's attractiveness, yet it faced tough competition from the likes of Audi's 140 bhp (104 kW/142 PS) direct-injection diesel of the same size, introduced a few months later in the Audi 100. Turbodiesel refers to any diesel engine with a turbocharger. ... Audi AG, more commonly known as Audi, is a premium German automobile manufacturer and one of the worlds leading performance-luxury marques, with headquarters in Ingolstadt, Bavaria. ... The Audi 100 was a mid-sized automobile from Audi, made between 1968 and 1994. ...

Safrane Biturbo

In 1994, Renault launched the high-performance 'Biturbo' version available in RXE and baccara finition. This model featured a twin-turbo, 262 hp (195 kW) evolution of the 3.0-liter V6 of alpine A610, developed with the assistance of German tuning firm Hartgeand Irmcher, coupled with all wheel drive. However, it was only available with a manual transmission, as no automatic gearbox existed anywhere in the world for a transversely mounted engine of that horsepower with AWD. Given that automatic transmissions and V8 engines are strongly preferred in the price class where Biturbo competed, it is not surprising that less than 1000 Biturbos were sold.Production ended in September 1996. Renault S.A. is a French vehicle manufacturer producing cars, vans, buses, tractors, and trucks. ... In music, tuning is the process of producing or preparing to produce a certain pitch in relation to another, usually at the unison but often at some other interval. ... Hartge is a third party tuning company specialising in BMW, MINI and Range Rover cars. ... Four wheel drive or 4x4, is a type of four wheeled vehicle drivetrain configuration that enables all four wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously in order to provide maximum traction. ... Four wheel drive or 4x4, is a type of four wheeled vehicle drivetrain configuration that enables all four wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously in order to provide maximum traction. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ...

Long Cours

In the same year, the French coachbuilder Heuliez presented the Long Cours, which was something like a station wagon version of the Safrane Biturbo in luxury Baccara trim. A coachbuilder is a manufacturer of bodies for carriages or automobiles. ... Heuliez is a French company that works as production and design unit for various automakers. ... Estate car body style (Saab 95) A station wagon (United States usage), wagon (Australian usage, though station wagon is widely used) or estate car (United Kingdom usage) is a car body style similar to a sedan car but with an extended rear cargo area. ...

Facelift

The Phase 2 Renault Safrane

Renault gave the Safrane a major upgrade in 1996 in order to revive sales. The front and rear ends of the car were restyled in a much more modern fashion and the equipment levels upgraded. The concept that every trim level got a slightly different front end was retained. A redesign of the manual transmission's cable actuator solved the shift-quality issue, while a new Aisin Warner automatic transmission replaced the somewhat unreliable Renault unit. Aisin Seiki is a major manufacturer of automobile transmissions. ...

The engine lineup was completely renewed:

• 2.0L, 16v Volvo B41 I4, 140 bhp (104 kW/142 PS)
• 2.5L, 20v Volvo B524 I5, 168 bhp (125 kW/170 PS)
• 3.0L, 24v PSA ES V6, 192 bhp (143 kW/195 PS)
• 2.2L, 12v I4 turbodiesel, 115 bhp (86 kW/117 PS)

The 4- and 5-cylinder petrol engines were Volvo designs and their inclusion in the Safrane lineup was a result of Renault's short-lived alliance with the Swedish carmaker in the early 1990s (the B41 was also fitted in some Lagunas). The V6 was an all-new PSA-Renault design and drew wide praise^{[citation needed]} for its abundant low- and mid-range torque, even if the Germans offered 10-20 bhp more out of the same displacement. The turbodiesel was an all-new in-house design and was well received too. In automotive engineering, an engine is referred to as multi-valve (or multivalve) when each cylinder has more than two valves. ... The Volvo Modular engine is a family of straight-4, straight-5, and straight-6 automobile piston engine produced in the 2000s. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... In automotive engineering, an engine is referred to as multi-valve (or multivalve) when each cylinder has more than two valves. ... The Volvo Modular engine is a family of straight-4, straight-5, and straight-6 automobile piston engine produced in the 2000s. ... The Volvo B5252S is an example of a straight-5 engine. ... In automotive engineering, an engine is referred to as multi-valve (or multivalve) when each cylinder has more than two valves. ... The PSA ES engine is a V6 engine used in automotive applications. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ... In automotive engineering, an engine is referred to as multi-valve (or multivalve) when each cylinder has more than two valves. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... Turbo redirects here. ... Diesel engines in a museum Diesel generator on an oil tanker A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine which operates using the Diesel cycle. ... Volvo Cars is the luxury car maker using the Volvo Trademark. ... Renault S.A. is a French vehicle manufacturer producing cars, vans, buses, tractors, and trucks. ... PSA Peugeot Citroën (PSA) is a vehicle company that owns the marques Peugeot and Citroën. ... Renault S.A. is a French vehicle manufacturer producing cars, vans, buses, tractors, and trucks. ...

It should be noted however that while the Volvo engine designs would externally appear to be a domestic Volvo, there are apparently minor differences which mean that normal Volvo parts or tools cannot be used. On the 5 cylinder 2.5 litre engine, the twin Camshaft wheels are different to those of the Volvo 850 and thus when changing the Timing belt normal Volvo locking tools can not be used. This can cause severe confusion for many mechanics who find a surprise when attempting maintenance. The 2.5 engine is also actually a 2.4 being 2435 cc. While sold by Renault as a 2.5, 2435 is defined as 2400 when rounded down according to engineering standards. To be officially recognised as 2.5 the engine would need to be 2460 cc at a minimum in order to be rounded up.

Questor

A rare 1998 Renault Safrane QuestorX

Along with the Phase 2 Safrane, Renault also offered a Safrane variant called the Questor which also relied on the Volvo powerplants mentioned above. The Questor differs with the front grill having an extended silver piece around the Renault diamond and also factory fitted satellite navigation which is a Phillips Carin 520 with infra-red remote control. While the Questor is plentiful in France (with extra accessories such as headlight jet washers) few are seen in the UK. The model in this image is a rare UK model 1998 Safrane QuestorX 2.5 litre.

End of life and future of Renault's executive offerings

The modernisation did not bring about a significant breakthrough in sales results, and the model was finally discontinued in 2000, having sold less than the Renault 25 it had replaced. For 2001, it was replaced by the much more radically styled Vel Satis, accompanied by the original "tall 2-door" Avantime. The Vel Satis does not fare too well either, while the Avantime's design didn't find widespread acceptance in the marketplace and the model was quickly discontinued. The Renault 25 is an executive car produced by the French automaker Renault from 1983 to 1992. ... The Renault Vel Satis is a full-size luxury car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. ... The Renault Avantime was a coupé/MPV automobile produced by the French manufacturer Renault (though in fact designed and built by the French manufacturer Matra) between 2001 and 2003. ...

Renault's dismal performance in the executive car segment for the past fifteen years, combined with its successful takeover of Nissan, have led some industry observers to speculate whether the company will pull out of the segment altogether. The European launch of Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand, scheduled for 2008, points in that direction. However, French car magazine L'Auto-Journal reported in August 2007 that Renault is planning a successor to the Vel Satis, derived from the Samsung SM7. Renault S.A. is a French vehicle manufacturer producing cars, vans, buses, tractors, and trucks. ... Nissan Motor Co. ... Nissan Motor Co. ... For other uses, see Infinity (disambiguation). ... The Samsung SM7 is the most recent addition to Renault Samsung Motors SM line. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Renault Safrane

• Czech, English and French Renault Safrane Fanpage, with many interesting documents, photos and informations.
• Czech Renault Safrane Biturbo Fanpage, with many interesting documents, photos and informations.
• German Renault Safrane Fanpage, with many interesting documents, including English-language 1996 press release
• French Renault 25 and Safrane enthusiast site, detailed information on French trim levels and engine technical data
• Dutch Renault Safrane enthusiast site, many photos and interesting brochures
• Long Cours brochure in French and Italian