Automobiles, Cars
Renault Avantime: car specifications, description, package and reviews
When you see Renault Avantime for the first time, you might think that this is one of Renault's minivans, but more understated than the traditional models. Eyes are intensively looking for side doors through which you can get into the compartment for passengers. But in reality it's not a minivan, it's a coupe. Consciousness does not accept this.
Engineers and designers of the French automotive concern Renault have always promoted the most advanced ideas in everything concerning cars. And the words that the company is the engine of ideas are the purest truth. You can remember the ancestor of modern minivans, this is Escape. Also, the model "Renault 25", "Megan", Scenic comes to mind. "This list can be continued indefinitely, but the article is not about them, but about Renault Avantime.
History of the model
The first two-door minivan coupe was shown as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show in 1993.
This car even got into one of the series of "Top Gear" program. This was in 2008. The model managed to show the best time on one of the circles, having won at one of the machines of Mitsubishi. Also the minivan was very much liked by the leading programs, which is very rare.
Specialists from the "Reno" were inspired by the success of their first minivan Escape. On this impulse it was decided to cross the car with elements more characteristic for sports coupes. As a result of this operation, there was a huge car with a very interesting interior, a boring design and running characteristics that are typical of a typical bus. Although this "Renault", the coupe in the coupe format, and did not have any significant competitors in the car market, it was sold only 18 months. A short period of sales and production entailed various problems with spare parts. On the other hand, it also means that a car purchased today at a low cost, in just a couple of years will become a rarity. All the more it is worth considering that only 8,500 copies have left the assembly line. Dealers of Renault in Moscow with questions about these models are just getting their hands on. On sale they simply do not.
Down with stereotypes
Coupe of the highest class is a three-cubicle body, which is driven by a six-cylinder engine, working in combination with an automatic transmission. If you approach stereotypes with a certain degree of philosophy, then the question will arise in the emergence of this stereotype.
What does an average person understand as a "top-class coupe"? This is one of the two-door models from the Mercedes.
And indeed, the "Renault" station wagon is capable of smashing all kinds of ideas about the coupe from the highest class. This model is by no means inherent in the restraint or conservatism of cars of such a plan. On the contrary, the model turned out to be very daring, immodest, devoid of a traditional body, and also accompanying elements. The design demonstrates to everyone that the person sitting behind the wheel is not ordinary. The French themselves said that this is a nonconformist car.
The process of designing the design was unconventional, when the body is first created, then the interior is made under it. All the works were exactly the opposite. So, at first there was an interior, and the design and design of the body were secondary.
This can easily be confirmed if we evaluate the ergonomic characteristics inside the Renault Avantime. Each element was worked out very accurately and scrupulously. However, the similarity of the interior and exterior is only in the materials of the finish. Both inside and outside you can find elements of unpainted aluminum. And the lines are very different in style. In the salon you can see the ideas of a modular biodesign. But the body is made in the form of a certain architectural futurism with small elements of modularity. The interior is dominated by soft and smooth lines, and the body looks very defiant and differs geometricity.
Outside
If you approach the examination of the exterior of the car without any emotion, then immediately noted some details.
The design work was carried out using the method of three-dimensional modeling using advanced technologies. The design is very harmonious and carefully thought out to the smallest detail. Even the smallest element was developed in cooperation with Matra engineers.
Reviews note that the rear of the body is also very interesting. The luggage compartment cover must be lifted upwards together with the rear part. There is enough space in it, although it is rather unusual. The trunk differs in the low floor and there is no place for the spare wheel. The lid closes clearly and very gently. And to be more comfortable, there is a special pen inside.
Features of the body
When designing as a basis, engineers used the "Escape III" platform. Reviews note that the machine can boast a fairly large interior, which is comparable to a small room. There are many interesting and unique elements in the design. A pair of large doors is one of the features.
To the body was perceived as a coupe, as well as to simplify access to passengers in the rear seats, designers and designers decided to abandon the middle racks on the body. As a result, huge wings and doors turned out, which did not facilitate, but, on the contrary, created difficulties for planting, especially it was actual in fairly tight parking. To solve this problem, French engineers have specially developed double hinges.
Interior
The reviews say that there is a lot of space in the salon. And among the interesting and unusual solutions, drivers note the location of the instruments.
To get to the rear seats, you need to push the front seats or flip their backs. Rear passengers will sit higher than the front. And the ceiling part to the rear part is slightly underestimated. In the roof there is a hatch, thanks to which middle-aged people can feel very comfortable in the salon of Renault Avantime.
Controls and electronics
The console, which is installed between the driver and the passenger, is quite high. In appearance - the minimum number of different controls and buttons. On the central panel there are only three buttons. Most of the controls are hidden on various panels, which either travel or recline. These panels are made of fairly expensive plastic, although the "Renault" configuration and prices are different, and the finish depends on the modification and version of the performance.
On the central console, where there are to be located various climate control or audio controls, a small box is arranged, like a pull-out table. Above this box is made a visor, and under it is installed a color navigation screen. The visor can be thrown back up, and after that a container opens, into which it is possible to add various trifles. This capacity is quite deep, it will easily take your hand to the elbow.
In the box for gloves there is no place - there is a branded audio system, as well as a multimedia control panel. Yes, it's an ordinary console. There are also no stationary controls for the stereo system on the console or elsewhere. This is a fairly controversial decision, because for manipulation you have to climb into the box for gloves.
The leather and aluminum were chosen as the finishing material. Inside the car Renault is designed for four people. The volume of the trunk is 540 liters. Also, the French did not forget about electronic equipment - there is almost everything.
Operation Renault has revealed some problems. Basically, they are all related to capricious electronics. Owners in their responses note that they often faced with display failures, problems in the windshield heating system, as well as reports of various false breakdowns. Not only for this model, but for all Renault cars of these years of production there is a problem in the frequent loss of communication between machines and the access card. This greatly hampered access to the interior and engine start.
Technical part
On the technical side, the Renault car is based on the traditional French approach. Why in this light car is a heavy and powerful multi-cylinder engine? So that the Germans could spend more money on gasoline?
The new three-liter V-shaped 6-cylinder atmospheric unit with a capacity of 210 horsepower disperses the car to 220 kilometers per hour. The car is made taking into account the maximum enjoyment of driving, and not for watching the scenery outside the window. To the driving process was even more exciting, paired with a motor running a six-speed manual gearbox. This again breaks the traditional stereotypes. After all, what kind of a top class, where there is no automatic transmission even as an option? But this is one of the advantages of the French "Renault" - the price of these cars is available for Europeans. Also, the choice was offered a 2.2-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 135 horsepower or a two-liter petrol turbocharged engine with a capacity of 163 "horses." He provided the car with good dynamic performance at a reasonable cost.
Diesel often had various problems. He often suffered from malfunctions in the operation of injectors, a turbocharger. But there were also more serious problems, such as the rapid wear of the liners in the connecting rods.
Six-cylinder gasoline engine "Renault" is not as good as this two-liter unit. The suspension system works perfectly on Russian roads. However, operation shows that over time it may be necessary to replace the various running parts. There are practically no problems with spare parts - many of them come from its predecessor and are available for free sale.
Some owners think that the suspension is too stiff. It's stiff, but if only just a little bit. However, in return, the driver gets excellent handling. In excessive stiffness, you can blame the pull of Panar in the rear suspension. Everyone who drove at the wheel of this car, believe that the handling and overall driving characteristics of Renault - at altitude.
Security
The French are literally obsessed with security. Therefore, in equipping the car, a special emphasis was placed on this. As a brake system, disc brakes on all wheels are applied, as well as an antilock system of French-developed wheels.
To prevent skidding, ESP works. Passive safety is also at a high level.
Seatbelts deserve a few words. Since the central pillars are missing, they are fixed directly to the seats. This is not a new idea. Here, the belts are able to adapt to the weight and impact force of the passenger.
Complete sets of Renault
There are five complete sets. They differ in the type of transmission. In 2002, engineers developed a five-speed automatic transmission for this model. In general, in addition to the transmission, these configurations do not differ in any way.
Any car is equipped with disc vented brakes, independent front and rear-dependent suspension, power steering, ABS, ESP, EBD and even climate control. Only the Renault engine and the type of gearbox are different.
Results
Who will buy this car? The creators claim that this is a one-volume body, a coupe, and also a convertible. Naturally, like any station wagon, this model will lose a special car. Minivans are faster, more comfortable, and an ordinary car will be able to give more pleasure from driving. The convertible is capable of providing a much sharper sense of openness. But with all this "Avantime" and more spacious, and more practical, and more comfortable. It is a pity only that Renault dealers in Moscow no longer sell new Avantimes, and if you really want to buy such a car, you will have to look for it in the secondary market.
And the most important thing in this model is, of course, design. History still remembers precedents, when cars exhibited in the Louvre. This is about the Range Rover. But instead of him there was supposed to be "Avantime". For those who love everything unusual, this would be an excellent acquisition. Moreover, in the secondary market on the "Reno" the price is more affordable - about 400 thousand rubles. However, it is very difficult to find such a car now, not to mention its maintenance during operation. Finding the right parts for it - it's very difficult.
So, we found out what the French car "Renault Avantime" is.
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