Test drive by Renault Avantime 2001 - 2003 compartment

Behind the glass

Admiring decorative fish, we rarely pay attention to the aquarium. But even the most exotic fish behind the glass does not overshadow the beauty of the aquarium named Renault Avantime
 
For several years the French dragged this car for all automobile exhibitions as a concept car. Everyone is already used to his appearance, but when the first serial Avantime came to our test, we were still surprised. It was not believed that the concept would almost unchanged to the conveyor. This is rare. This was especially true for the interior: all the most daring and unusual decisions of the designers went into the series. Nevertheless, here he is, in front of us - a hybrid of a coupe, minivan and a single collector.
Here the master will come. I have not met such a comfortable and cozy salon for a long time. Planting in Avantime can be called in one word - lamb. Wide, moderately soft chairs with unknown side support have a wide range of adjustments. They are covered with thin skin of high quality - tissue finishes for Avantime simply are not provided. The fact that you are in the car resemble only the steering wheel and the gearbox lever, and there is only a panel around the driver, trimmed with light skin and dark first -rate plastic.
Actually, I am a fan of the classic component of the cabin: so that the devices and other familiar details of the interior of the car are in their familiar places. In Avantime, it is the opposite, but it is not annoying, but causes a pleasant feeling of confusion, growing into a feeling of harmony with the environment surrounding you inside this aquarium.
A large central display with a digital speedometer and information about the operation of almost all car systems is not news in the automotive industry. But to place a digital tachometer in front of the driver’s eyes in a small cave is already a novelty from Renault. Like the complete absence of buttons and switches on the central console. Instead, a glove compartment was located there - more precisely, a hefty mess, opening like a box at the buffet. Above it is a color display of the navigation system, useless, alas, in our country. If you pull up the visor on which the display is strengthened, then another glove compartment will open under it, in which, if desired, almost half of the bottle beer box can be laid. By the way, there is no place in the real glove box - there is a navigation unit with a DVD disc.
At the bottom of the central console, under a special lid, the CD changer and navigation control panel were located. It is not necessary to open it too often - navigation still does not work for us, and music management is carried out exclusively from the remote control.
But what about climate control? The air conditioning control panel was discovered to the left of the driver, approximately in the place where many cars have a cabin deflector of the cabin.
Fish day. Avantime is very similar to the aquarium: it seems that there is more glass in the upper part of the body than metal. This is the lack of central racks and triangular inserts in the front of the body. Review - like through the windshield of Ikarus. There are practically no dead zones, and this allows you to feel very comfortable on city streets.
The situation is a little worse when you have to move back during parking. Thanks to massive racks, the rear window turned out to be small, and it does not matter through it. But well, it is audible - parking sensors are included in standard equipment.
Roofs above the head practically do not exist - instead of it two hatches: a huge sliding above the driver and smaller, stationary - above the back seats. The sliding hatch can be opened simultaneously with all the glasses. It is enough to press one of three ceiling switches. The sensations are approximately the same, as if water was suddenly lowered from your aquarium - around continuous air.
Enough air on the back sofa. If the front seats are not pushed back to the stop, then traveling from behind can be quite comfortable. Even electric windows for rear passengers are provided. By the way, with lowered rear windows, the vehicle’s view is quite exotic - from the side it seems that part of the side glass was simply cut with a diamond. One but - the windshield keys are located in a narrow slit between the seat pillow and the upholstery of the cabin.
On the seas, on the waves. Avantime has one of the most powerful Renault engines-a V-shaped six with a capacity of 210 hp. The gearbox is mechanical, 6-speed, with a very short stroke. Everything, as in a real compartment. Let's see what this hybrid is on the go and what it looks like-on a compartment or still on a minivan.
In terms of dynamic characteristics, Avantime is closer to sports cars. His acceleration is powerful and even, only in reduced gears should be carefully monitored. In the first or second, with active acceleration, the turns instantly go off the scale, and the electronics strangle the noble gusts of the engine. But the programs switch very clearly - in the spirit of sports models from Mercedes.
The steering and adjustment of the suspension is also akin to sportswoman. Avantime evenly holds impeccably, and the effort on the steering wheel increases in proportion to speeds. The car enters into steep turns almost without roll, which is strange for a car with such dimensions. But definitely nice.
In short, it is nice and easy to drive this car, but in every barrel there is always a spoonful of tar. To ensure the best controllability, Avantime suspension is tough. This is good for even European autobahns. But as soon as an uneven country is under the wheels or just the wheels fall on a small strip of unsuccessful ice, the car begins to shake. This is accompanied by a tangible roar in the rear suspension area. Surprisingly, on such a progressive model from all sides, the French left a dependent rear suspension with Panar's transverse thrust. As a result, she does not have time to swallow all oncoming irregularities, and the heavy body begins to swing methodically. This behavior is more characteristic of minivans. Although, on the other hand, what to look for this car on the lane?
 
 
Shipment at night from Europe. Now about the most important thing - where and how much. We answer: so far only in Europe and preferably in France. Avantime sales began in September 2001, and last year only a few cars were unsubscribed even to German dealers. In Russia, they do not plan to sell this car yet.
It's a pity. Extravagant appearance, a comfortable salon and remarkable running qualities will definitely attract the attention of those who evaluate the new car precisely by a harmonious combination of all these qualities. Moreover, Avantime, it seems to me, is able to radically change the image of the Renault brand in our country. Because so far, many in our country is associated with budget Clio or with a faceless Megane. I don’t want to remember about Renault 19. But they can do cars.
  
Text Nikolay Kachurin, photo Alexey Ilyin
      
The car is provided for the test by a private person.
Model/Modification Renault Avantime V6 3.0 24V
Manufacturer/country Regie National des Usines Renault/France
BODY
Type of coupe
Number of doors/places 3/5
ENGINE
Basin type with electronic injection
Front location, transversely
Working volume (cubic cub) 2946
Number/location of cylinders 6/V-shaped
Power, kW (L.S.) at about./Min. 152 (210) at 6000
Moment (nm at about./Min.) 285 at 3750
TRANSMISSION
Front drive
The gearbox is mechanical, 6-speed
SUSPENSION
Front Independent, spring type Mcphereson
The rear dependent, on longitudinal levers, Panar's thrust
STEERING
Type gear rack with a hydraulic booster
Min. The diameter of the turn (m) 10.9
Brakes
Front/rear circular ventilated/disk
ABS 4-channel, with EDB system
Dimensions/volumes/weight
Length/width/height (mm) 4642/2084/1627
Wheel base (mm) 2084
Mass weight (kg) 1740
Tires 235/50 R17
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km/h) 220
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 8.6
Economy
Fuel consumption (l/100 km, city/highway) 15.9/8.9
Price (without customs) $ 27.75 thousand.
 

Source: "Autopilot"