Epic Flop, Amazing Car. A future classic.
The Renault Avantime featured a “one-box” setup, typical for an MPV, but eliminated the B-pillars to obtain the desired coupe look and had two enormous doors, for easy access. Much of the body was built using galvanized steel and polyester panels, while the upper structure was made from exposed aluminum. This lowered the center of gravity and improved rigidity, allowing engineers to fit the Avantime with a large sunroof.
This 2002 Renault Avantime is the most expensive car I have ever bought. The whole family fell in love with this car as soon as they saw it. Inside, the second row of seats was positioned higher, giving passengers a theater-like experience. The panoramic roof improved the sensation of space and, at a push of a button, it could be opened, together with all windows, for an “open air” mode. Cars don’t come much more unusual than this.
Based on the Renault Espace III, this three-door CoupéSpace looks like nothing else, and has already a cult following among enthusiasts. It was actually built by Matra, pioneers in the field of lightweight body engineering, utilising polyester body panels before the most manufacturers had even heard of such things. The Avantime sold in tiny numbers. It actually features two of the longest doors ever fitted to a production, but a simple and elegant hinge allows easy access, even in the smallest of gaps.
Today I still love our youngtimer Avantime and think the idea of a two-door Coupé/Cabrio/MPV was brilliant. Renault thought they had a futuristic product, basically. One that in press-releases "forward-thinking, maverick types who go against the grain" would buy. Unfortunately few real buyers (les "bobos", les bourgeois bohèmes) did, and the Avantime flopped. Spectacularly.
Summary Renault Avantime (2001-2003, sales 8.557)
Overall I have to give some high marks to the Avantime for its maneuverability, traction, braking, and lack of typical FWD issues.
+ The road qualities
+ Its absolute orginality, makes you feel really special
+ The user-friendly interior
+ Ergonomics
+ The comfort and French-made, high-end luxury
+ The glass roof with "open air" mode
+ Highly Desirable Modern Day Collector's Car
- With tall people in front, foot space is poor and knee room limited
- Premium price, unusual for Renault
Every once in a while, some truly innovative vehicles receive the axe simply because they were ahead of their time. Renault Avantime is a future classic and "the coolest car money can buy". BBC's Top Gear - Jeremy Clarkson, TopGear 2002 Season 1 (Episode 6) - positioned the Renault Avantime at 'Sub Zero' on the 'Cool Wall' stating it was cooler even than the Aston Martin Vanquish.
Think France, and often visions of luxury follow. Not only stuff like the Chateau de Versailles, Louis the 14th, Paris or Champagne, but also products like high end watches, fashion, expensive wines and food, luxury hotels and the French Riviera. For a lot of things, being French gives an image of class, luxury and aristocracy. Look at Louis Vuitton, Moët Champagne, Cognac, Hermès or Michelin stars.
Renault presented 1999 its idea for a uniquely French "personal" car and had more than two years (production started 2001) trying to persuade us that its weird styling is the height of modern design. Remember, this is the same country that brought you Citroën. To that end, Renault hooked up with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, to associate its bizarre minivan/sports coupe Avantime with the avant garde. The Renault Avantime is an extraordinary car: no doubt about that. Renault intended it to shock. Thierry Metroz, design project manager, said, "We wanted someone walking around the car to be continually astonished. When you look at the front, you can't imagine what the back will be like, and vice versa. The Avantime exploits those contrasts, between a figurehead of an animal and a solid, forceful stern."
Investment potential
Even if you ignore the idea of buying as an investment, waiting any longer to buy one of the last French luxury cars - let’s just disregard Bugatti - will only cost you more money. The Avantime was, after all, an extraordinary and largely hand-built niche (S-segment) vehicle. The 21st century design was a positive factor too. Ever-larger amounts of money might begin to change hands as the value of these once-ridiculed big coupés climbs steadily higher.
Surely not? Two words: Citroën SM (1970-1975, sales 12.920).
Epic Flop, Amazing Car. A future classic.
The Renault Avantime featured a “one-box” setup, typical for an MPV, but eliminated the B-pillars to obtain the desired coupe look and had two enormous doors, for easy access. Much of the body was built using galvanized steel and polyester panels, while the upper structure was made from exposed aluminum. This lowered the center of gravity and improved rigidity, allowing engineers to fit the Avantime with a large sunroof.
This 2002 Renault Avantime is the most expensive car I have ever bought. The whole family fell in love with this car as soon as they saw it. Inside, the second row of seats was positioned higher, giving passengers a theater-like experience. The panoramic roof improved the sensation of space and, at a push of a button, it could be opened, together with all windows, for an “open air” mode. Cars don’t come much more unusual than this.
Based on the Renault Espace III, this three-door CoupéSpace looks like nothing else, and has already a cult following among enthusiasts. It was actually built by Matra, pioneers in the field of lightweight body engineering, utilising polyester body panels before the most manufacturers had even heard of such things. The Avantime sold in tiny numbers. It actually features two of the longest doors ever fitted to a production, but a simple and elegant hinge allows easy access, even in the smallest of gaps.
Today I still love our youngtimer Avantime and think the idea of a two-door Coupé/Cabrio/MPV was brilliant. Renault thought they had a futuristic product, basically. One that in press-releases "forward-thinking, maverick types who go against the grain" would buy. Unfortunately few real buyers (les "bobos", les bourgeois bohèmes) did, and the Avantime flopped. Spectacularly.
Summary Renault Avantime (2001-2003, sales 8.557)
Overall I have to give some high marks to the Avantime for its maneuverability, traction, braking, and lack of typical FWD issues.
+ The road qualities
+ Its absolute orginality, makes you feel really special
+ The user-friendly interior
+ Ergonomics
+ The comfort and French-made, high-end luxury
+ The glass roof with "open air" mode
+ Highly Desirable Modern Day Collector's Car
- With tall people in front, foot space is poor and knee room limited
- Premium price, unusual for Renault
Every once in a while, some truly innovative vehicles receive the axe simply because they were ahead of their time. Renault Avantime is a future classic and "the coolest car money can buy". BBC's Top Gear - Jeremy Clarkson, TopGear 2002 Season 1 (Episode 6) - positioned the Renault Avantime at 'Sub Zero' on the 'Cool Wall' stating it was cooler even than the Aston Martin Vanquish.
Think France, and often visions of luxury follow. Not only stuff like the Chateau de Versailles, Louis the 14th, Paris or Champagne, but also products like high end watches, fashion, expensive wines and food, luxury hotels and the French Riviera. For a lot of things, being French gives an image of class, luxury and aristocracy. Look at Louis Vuitton, Moët Champagne, Cognac, Hermès or Michelin stars.
Renault presented 1999 its idea for a uniquely French "personal" car and had more than two years (production started 2001) trying to persuade us that its weird styling is the height of modern design. Remember, this is the same country that brought you Citroën. To that end, Renault hooked up with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, to associate its bizarre minivan/sports coupe Avantime with the avant garde. The Renault Avantime is an extraordinary car: no doubt about that. Renault intended it to shock. Thierry Metroz, design project manager, said, "We wanted someone walking around the car to be continually astonished. When you look at the front, you can't imagine what the back will be like, and vice versa. The Avantime exploits those contrasts, between a figurehead of an animal and a solid, forceful stern."
Investment potential
Even if you ignore the idea of buying as an investment, waiting any longer to buy one of the last French luxury cars - let’s just disregard Bugatti - will only cost you more money. The Avantime was, after all, an extraordinary and largely hand-built niche (S-segment) vehicle. The 21st century design was a positive factor too. Ever-larger amounts of money might begin to change hands as the value of these once-ridiculed big coupés climbs steadily higher.
Surely not? Two words: Citroën SM (1970-1975, sales 12.920).