It seems that Renault have launched a new Safrane! But in Middle East markets only? Don't suppose they'll bother with sales in Europe. What do you think of it:
www.safrane-for-me.com
Reminds me vaguely of the Nissan Altima...
Can't see them selling many in brand-conscious ME markets!
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I like it, but then I thought the old Safrane looked OK too.
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Nothing wrong with the old Safrane just us brits seem only to think that the Germans can make executive cars.
Personally I have slept on more comfortable park benchs than the so called ride quality of Audi, Mercedes Benz and BMWs.
Thats where the French exec cars really scored they were just so comfortable.
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Safranes were much maligned but I did 120,000 miles in four years in one with no major problems.
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Father in law's Safrane is 11 years old now and hasn't missed a beat. Beautifully soft ride combined with surprisingly agile handling and staggering legroom. Rubbery but efficient cable gearchange. Dual zone climate control and that concealed radio with its hydraulically damped cover still get sighs of admiration from first time passengers nowadays. A lot of Volvo content thanks to what very nearly became a Franco-Swedish merger. And the stillborn Biturbo and estate versions. What could have been...
But if the 1990's Safrane was a well honed chunk of French cheese, this Franco-Korean/Japanese/Persian Gulf market bug-eyed monstrosity (the tackiest wooden dashboard since the Austin Maxi) is something straight out of Ian Hendry's waistcoat pocket.
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Reminds me vaguely of the Nissan Altima...
That's because that's exactly what it is.
Entirely possible that this car will end up on sale in the UK, if it replaces the Primera that is still manufactured in Sunderland.
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I think Renault recognise that in the UK, everyone follows the herd and buys German when looking for a car like this, apart from the few stragglers who go British or Swedish of course.
Take the Citroen C6 - launched over a year ago, and I saw my first one two weeks ago. My boss used to have a Pug 607, and reckoned it was four months before he saw another on the road while driving it.
A shame, as the French are far more accomplished at making relaxing, comfortable long distance cruisers than the Germans IMO. I guess at this level it's all about the badge.
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I recently saw a new Nissan Maxima - a fantastic-looking car, almost up there with the Chrysler 300c - shame it'll never be coming to the UK.
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