Test drive by Renault Safrane 1996 - 2000 hatchback

Safrane V6 3.0 Auto

The image of quality and quality is real, alas, by no means synonyms. Very often, the fate of different cars is forced to think about this. The essentially unsuccessful copy can accidentally earn a sufficient recognition in the market, and, conversely, a successful in all respects, the car often does not enjoy the popularity that it is potentially deserves. As an example of the last situation, a large and solid French car is recalled, one might say, the flagship of the automotive industry of the Fifth Republic of the Renault Safrane business class sedan. We have already talked about this model (see No. 11, 1997), which, being for many years, the absolute leader of its segment in France, remains little -known in other European countries. A car that has always been and is still one of the most successful incarnations of the definition of business Sedan is certainly suffering from the general pessimistic attitude of customers of machines of this category to French production models. Yes, however, why only French? In this market segment, where everyone is obsessed with German sedans, representative models from Italy, England and Japan are extremely limited in demand.
 
Against this background of progerman nihilism, Renault Safrane, as they say, feels the best. Even now, when the name Safrane has been present on the market for the ninth year, the company sells over 25 thousand cars annually. So Safrane still remains in the first six of European business sedans, second only to the prestigious high-class Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volvo, Saab. And Safrane is not going to give up positions, despite the fact that a little more than a year and a half remained before the replacement of the model. Among fans of French large cars, the model is in stable demand, even in Russia, where Safrane is a very exotic choice, dealers sell up to 40-50 cars a year, and this is more than other French, as well as Italian and British competitors. Having evaluated such devotion, digging Renault, preparing for the debut in the market of a formidable opponent, the latest Peugeot 607 (see No. 5, 2000), which claims to be the same category of customers, conducted the next, the last cosmetic operation in the history of Safrane. Recall that the Safrane model debuted in 1992, at the end of 1996 a fully updated generation of the model was represented, and finally, this year Safrane was redesigned again. Having traveled on this Safrane 2000, we stated that the rejuvenation was more serious than it seemed, and the model was not only alive, but also good.
 
The main thing that the powerful 3-liter V6 engine has acquired Safrane with the latest improvement (various PEUGEOT and Citroen models are equipped with it, see No. 11, 1997, No. 1, 1998, No. 6, 1999). Initially, it was not planned to equip Safrane with this engine, the most powerful 5-cylinder 2.5-liter unit, which Renault bought from its former partner, the Swedish Volvo (we experienced such a version of Safrane, and the motor is certainly good) was supposed to remain the most powerful. But the representative frigate Renault, of course, needed a full -fledged V6 motor. Now, having almost 200 horses, Safrane is in no way inferior to competitors with similar ones in volume. In addition, the appearance was again detached, the car received new bumpers, headlights, wheels, and most importantly, on all versions, they began to install a chrome radiator cladding with a huge Renault rhombus in the center, which allowed the machine to fully acquire the solidity and aggressiveness so necessary. The interior decoration was also finalized and the automatic transmission of the latest generation was installed.
 
Safrane has always been valued among experts, as one of the best cruisers in the world for long -speed traveling in European motor clothing. That's why we went on a new version on a long journey along the highlights of the Old World.
Asphalt eater
Our test chief Denis Moren says.
After driving Safrane several thousand kilometers, you begin to be ashamed of your skepticism about French business sedans and enthusiasm for German business departments. The full-size, impressive Safrane easily straightens out with long distances, and the new 3-liter version is distinguished not only by famous French comfort, but also by excellent dynamic qualities. In addition, according to all official reference books, Safrane is still the most spacious business sedan in Europe. Those who think that the leaders of the Mercedes E-class or Audi A6 are mistaken here. Renault engineers made maximum efforts to provide Safrane with excellent sound insulation and especially the atmosphere of comfort on board. This is my compatriots! The front seats of excellent dimensions, a spacious rear sofa, everything is sheathed with a pleasant velor with a edging at the seams. The front seats are equipped with a cunning (and only higher categories from competing models) with Ergomatic: each seat is divided into eight segments that can be pumped up or blown away by pressing the buttons, in fact, modeling the ergonomics of the chair. There are plenty of legs and shoulders at the shoulder level, it’s a pity, however, that the distance to the ceiling was not enough engineers fought for aerodynamics and underestimated the roof. And it is quite possible to understand people who do not have souls in their Safrane, a cozy atmosphere of a comfortable salon is magnificent.
 
But this is not a static office. Wonderful sound insulation and lack of aerodynamic noise serious allies on the auto track. I want to ride Safrane quickly, so, despite the possible presence of radars, the speedometer shooter during our voyage practically did not fall below the 200 mark. The five -cylinder motor is still slightly weak for the magnificent chassis of the machine, but the new V6 is elastic, obedient, silent, just silk What is needed. Formally, the speed of the new version of Safrane is 225 km/h, but on the multi -kilometer direct speedometer shooter, without much effort has repeatedly reached 250 km/h. And moving in this mode, holding the steering wheel with one hand and melancholy controling the road environment, you understand why tens of thousands of people who have the opportunity to purchase a new BMW or Mercedes, nevertheless choose Safrane. Courage stability, noise at high speeds of Safrane are magnificent. This idyll is violated by the rapid fall of the arrow of the fuel level pointer. Yes, when driving at speeds of more than 200 km/h, the 3-liter Peugeot/Renault/Citroen engine (on all models equipped with it) shows an excellent appetite over 25 l/100 km (over 230 km/h more than 30 liters per hundred). Of course, 3-liter BMW or Audi engines when moving in this mode cannot be called economical, but still they have less expenses. For pleasure and saved time you have to pay! But Safrane shows its positive qualities not only in cruises on auto -bonds. We will turn the winding provincial French paths
Soft and tenacious
In terms of filtering of irregularities, Safrane always argued for leadership with the Bavarian five, is not inferior to her now. Coldins, potholes, pods of country roads in this French car you will not feel. On the new version of Safrane, the engineers, striving for greater comfort, made an already soft suspension of the car even softer. As a result, with intense maneuvering, the car begins to swing smoothly, as the standard chassis of Mercedes or Americans do, and when fast driving on uneven coatings, an unpleasant resonance in the suspension sometimes occurs. But, nevertheless, this is one of the best symbiosis of the comfort and efficiency of the chassis that Safrane also demonstrated when driving on narrow winding country in a sharp sports manner. Of course, a soft suspension provokes some rolls, but this is another surprise exchange stability and controllability in Safrane excellent.
 
By the way, when in the spring of this year, problems with the manage of the new competitor Safrane Peugeot 607 were revealed, many automobile publications held comparative tests of the E. segment models and representatives of most publications were surprised that Safrane in this solid campaign was the most stable and maneuverable, some even put a Frenchwoman In these parameters in the first place, in front of the Jaguar S-Type, which, I remember, caused the discontent of the British. The colleagues were right: despite the very solid dimensions (almost 4.8 m), the front -wheel drive SAFRANE gives pleasure when driving along dizzying tracks. Front -wheel drive, informative steering and, of course, competent setting, the minimum insufficient rotation and extremely stable behavior of the rear axle make the machine in extreme conditions extremely obedient and safe. Claims to controllability and clarity of the trajectory of the slightest, given, repeat, class and dimensions of the machine. The work of the brakes could be more poeming, but in the category of business sedans, most manufacturers, unfortunately, do not pay the inhibition of proper attention.
 
The new 3-liter engine is sometimes called lazy. I would call the French engine rather not aggressive: very suppressed, starting from the lowest modes, with excellent traction, spin strictly linearly, without power surges at average speeds. Therefore, due to a sufficient moment on the bottom, most owners never allow the motor to work all over power. This is the character of the unit and ... customers! But squeeze the gas pedal properly, and V6, roaring it, accelerates a large car with hunting and energy. Maybe the car loses some tenth seconds in dynamics to rivals, but in practice this is not enough, the dynamics of acceleration in any gear does not cause a feeling of power deficiency. Another thing is that a 4-band machine is still inferior in class to automatic BMW, Audi and Mercedes automatic boxes. The Safrane box is pleasant in communication, has the ability to adapt to the driving manner, the transmission is replaced smoothly and imperceptibly (unless, of course, to travel in sporting), in difficult road conditions the box can be locked in third gear. No complaints about work, except that there is no way to use the machine in manual mode, indulging in sharp belated switching. Probably, after studying this issue, the Renault marketers considered that Safrane owners are not at all going to play with a machine gun lever, and the choice was made in favor of the classic, which has the comfort of the option. Despite the lack of SAFRANE of any new-fangled systems of electronic stabilization of the course, competent setting up the chassis is much more reliable than unsuccessful suspensions, and a mass of electronic devices.
 
In addition to exclusively worthy running qualities, Safrane pleases with its practicality. We are all the time to say business sedan, but after leaving the Citroen Hmm and Saab 9000 scene, Safrane remained the only representative hatchback in the world! Yes, this is a 5-door hatchback. Outwardly, this is not very striking, but in practice gives a lot of advantages: a large rear door and a huge trunk allow you to easily load and without trouble transport an immense amount of luggage.
 
The ergonomics of the salon is magnificent, however, the front panel design is clearly outdated. The quality of the finishing materials is mostly high, except for some plastic inserts on the bottom of the instrument panel, too cheap plastic for such a machine. A full equipping package, including climate control with separate adjustment, board computer, navigation system, etc., is now granted for business class.
 
The financial issue remains. In Russia, the SAFRANE of 2000 of the model year with a new 3-liter engine and a full set of options (including leather finishes) costs about $ 40 thousand, is 1020% cheaper than German competitors in a similar configuration. The price of a 2.5-liter modification offered to order from 33 thousand dollars.
 
Finally, the opinion of the absence of Safrane of the representative image is not true. In the Franco -speaking countries of Europe, the whole political elite, including the president of France, films of cinema and business at the Cannes Film Festival, by the way, is traditionally transported by eminent guests, it is precisely the President of France). And we happened to use the charm of a 3-liter top version of Safrane. It was during the car dealership in Geneva. As usual, the closest parking of the motor show is full in the morning, and all the late Geneva police are sent to very remote parking lots. The uncompromising law enforcement officers sent the BMW and Ferrari 456 seven. But Safrane is a business card of the French government. On the brand new black Safrane with Parisian numbers, we fly to the police cordon, signal and ... people in the form take the visor and pass us to Palexpo.
 
Each nation has its own quirks. And your car legacy! From now on, Renault will not strive to succeed in this class with classic models: the heir to Safrane Superhaward Velsatis will become a white crow, a disturban in calm due to his original design. A grand limousine Renault with the V8 motor, competitor to Mercedes S-class will also appear. In the meantime, we are inclined to notice that at least Safrane and not a direct competitor to the Germans of the segment E, this machine is still one of the best front-wheel drive business class models in Europe.

Some technical characteristics Renault Safrane V6 3.0 Auto
(manufacturer data)
Dimensions, mm 4770x1820x1440
Equipped mass, kg 1620
Base, mm 2770
Trunk volume (min/max), l 455/1360
Road clearance, mm 120
Benzine engine type V6
24-valve
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 2946
Max. Power, L.S./rpm 194/5750
Max. moment, nm/rpm 267/4000
Front -wheel drive
The transmission is automatic 4-band
Tires 205/60 R15
Front brakes/back disc ventilated/
discs, abs
Max. Speed, km/h 225
Acceleration time 0-100 km, with 9.5
Average fuel consumption, l/100 km 16.6
Tank volume, l 80
Ivan Vesnin
Photo by the author
 

Source: Avtopanorama magazine