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As bizarre as some French cars were, one was created more bizarre than all the others: the infamous Avantime, whose name is a combination of the French word “avant” (meaning “ahead”) and the English word “time.”
The Avantime was introduced for 2001 alongside the aforementioned Vel Satis. Supposedly combining the styling of a 2+2 coupe with the space of minivan, the Avantime concept was conceived by former Renault co-operative Matra, who dabbled in Formula 1 racing while building computers, bicycles, missles, and the Espace van. Matra intended the coupe-van-thing to cater to a younger generation of buyers who, as they saw it, grew up with the Espace and didn't want to grow too far apart from it.
Le Quement handled the styling and came up with a large-butted one-box shape with a pillarless daylight opening, a massive retractable glass roof, and huge doors. It was something that was truly unlike anything ever built before by an automaker, a huge two-door van that was guaranteed to leave onlookers with the most confused look on their faces. No one could figure out if they were looking at a car, a small land-fairing cruise liner, or something sculpted by Picasso turned into a parade float.
Though the design wasn’t without its engineering issues, Renault bested the better part of them with some interesting solutions. For example, the Avantime used a space frame made of strengthened aluminum to retain structural integrity in a side impact collision in spite of the fact there weren’t b-pillars. The huge doors used a clever double-hinged design to keep them manageable in tight parking situations. To keep weight down, the lower body panels were all composite.
Aside from the neat engineering details, the best part of the Avantime was it’s so called “grand air” mode in which all of the windows and the big sunroof were retracted for a very convertible-like experience. The feature was activated with the simple push of a button on the headliner. It was this particular experience that Avantime owners would come to treasure most in their cars.
The entire package came at a hefty cost though. Engineering costs for the Avantime’s double hinged doors and semi-convertible design racked up at a whopping 224€ million back at the turn of the century (about $286 million US dollars then and $358 million today). Those engineering costs would also be passed on to the buyer with the base sticker price starting at 29,000€ (about $37,000 USD then, $46,000 USD today). With a sticker price like that, those young, Espace-loving buyers that the Avantime was supposed to attract couldn’t afford it. Their parents, which could, weren’t interested because of the odd styling and general lack of practicality. The Avantime also faced in-house competition from the Vel Satis, whose appearance looked more conventional in comparison.
Sales of the Avantime totaled up to just 8,557 cars in May 2003, at which point the plug was pulled due to Matra’s decision to leave the automotive market partially due to the money lost developing and building the Avantime and Renault’s growing disinterest for the model.
In contrast, sales of the Vel Satis equaled up to 62,201 cars during it's production run from 2001 - 2009 (an average of about 7,000 cars a year).
The Avantime’s polarizing styling and concept coupled with its very costly but clever engineering and poor sales definitely make this one of the most jaw-dropping failures ever in the automotive industry. In spite of its name, over a decade later we still don’t know what time it was supposed to ahead of.
However, the detailing of the Renault Avantime was fantastic, with crazily angled figure-eight tail lights.
So, you ask yourself, why would I want one now? Well, pick up a cared-for example and you will be driving a low-cost luxury vehicle, the distinction of greater exclusivity than a Ferrari, a commanding driving position, and that impossible-to-define French trait - quirkiness. You'll also be driving one of the most overlooked vehicles in a segment only Renault could invent. Ultimately, it passes the only two tests worthy of note: it's one of only two cars all three Top Gear presenters like, and when you step up to it in the morning to take it for a drive, you will always feel yourself gripped by a sense of occasion.
Carrocería/Bodywork: Heuliez GX137L
Chassis: Iveco Tector 7
Lote/Batch info: 2/2 - 8 total (775-782)
Matricula/Plate: 7839-LLV
Longitud/Length: 11m
Servicio/Service: 2021 - En curso/Ongoing
Info (SP): Las peculiares dimensiones de este vehiculo resultaron muy convenientes para cubrir rutas de baja densidad como la 7, 70 o 41. En 2020 entro a licitación un lote de 8 vehiculos al que solamente se presento Iveco y ,tras llegar, se procedió a la retirada de las 5 unidades MAN Castrosua CS-40 City II y la ultima Irisbus Europolis.
Info (EN): This vehicle's peculiar dimensions resulted very convenient to cover low density routes such as line 7, 70 or 41. In 2020 a public bidding of 8 further vehicles in similar length took place and, once they arrived, it marked the withdrawal of all 5 MAN Castrosua CS-40 City II units as well as the last of the Irisbus Europolis.
Den Bosch, NL - Haverleij 1995-2010 - Sjoerd Soeters masterplan with Paul van Beek landscape design
Project Leliënhuyze by Soeters Van Eldonk 2006.
Haverleij Den Bosch - Castle Leliënhuyze 1999 -2006 Sjoerd Soeters Architect -
Castle Leliënhuyze is a response to the request from the developers to build semi-detached homes in Haverleij as well, as these generally sell well in Brabant. This ‘castle’ features semi-detached homes in the outer ring, terraced houses in the inner ring and flats in the corner towers. The dwellings are situated so that they all have a view of the landscape. The inner ring is higher than the outer ring, with terraces on the outside, so that their occupants can look at the surrounding landscape between the semi-detached homes. The homes in the outer ring feature double-height living rooms, as well as ‘in-between gardens’ with a view instead of front and back gardens. This castle also features 2.2 built-in parking spaces per home, located under the dwellings and the inner courtyard.
The exterior of the castle was given a rustic look by using different colours of brick and by incorporating blocks of natural stone, bricked-up window niches and Gothic arches in the masonry. This creates the suggestion that the structure was rebuilt and adapted many times in the past. The inspiration was the work of the English country house architect Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), who used to give his masons beer in the morning so that they would lay bricks somewhat irregularly. This is no longer allowed under health and safety regulations, so the masons of this castle were given precise drawings of the desired irregularities and encouraged to ‘lay bricks freely’. In order to make the structure even more rustic, the lampposts in the inner courtyard were erected at uneven intervals and up to different heights. Residents of the castle have reported feeling like they are on holiday since they have lived here, which can be taken as a great compliment. Residences & parking 26,710 m2
Combining the qualities of living in a green setting with building in high densities, the masterplan for Haverleij consists of ten bastion-like concentrations of housing with at least 200 metres separating them. Part of the surrounding land is used as a golf course. The ‘castles’ containing from 50 to 100 units are reached off a single access route. Each castle has an enclosed communal garden instead of individual private ones. Designed by different architects, the castles range from historicist retro-architecture to modern design.
2 A. Natalini (Zwaenenstede, 2001),
3 F. Demblin (Daliënwaerd, 2008)
4 Lafour & Wijk (Wuyvenhaerd, 2002),
5 J. Crépain (Velderwoude, 2001),
6 M. Graves (Holterveste, 2004),
7 Claus & Kaan (Beeckendael, 2009),
8 Soeters Van Eldonk (Leliënhuyze, 2006),
9 De Twee Snoeken (Heesterburgh, 2010),
10 J. Outram (Oeverhuijze, 2010),
11 Drost + van Veen (Club house golfcourse, 2003)
In the mid-1990s the Den Bosch city government was concerned that many well-to-do residents were leaving the city and moving to surrounding villages. In order to retain these Den Bosch residents within the city limits, it was decided to transform a former industrial site into an attractive residential area with high-end homes. The brief was to create a plan for a thousand homes on 200 hectares – at four to five homes per hectare this was merely one-seventh of the density of the average Vinex residential development. With this exceptionally low density as a premise, an approach was sought in which construction and landscape would reinforce each other. Rather than scattering the houses like crumbs across the area, the homes were concentrated in a ‘citadel’ and nine ‘castles’. This made it possible to leave the greater portion of the site unbuilt and transform it into a gorgeous landscape, designed by Paul van Beek. The primary idea behind the plan is that landscapes are generally more interesting when they feature buildings, and that buildings benefit from being surrounded by a beautiful landscape. The castles rise resolutely out of the landscape, form counterpoints to it and lend it scale. Each castle was situated in a special spot: in the woods, on the edge of the woods and reed land or between the pastures and the woods. They stand as independent entities at the end of driveways or on the other side of drawbridges. In the process, this project is unmistakably linked to the Romantic design principles of the English landscape style. Plan area 2,250,000 m2
Carrocería/Bodywork: Heuliez GX137L
Chassis: Iveco Tector 7
Lote/Batch info: 2/2 - 8 total (775-782)
Matricula/Plate: 5962-LLM
Longitud/Length: 11m
Servicio/Service: 2021 - En curso/Ongoing
Info (SP): Las peculiares dimensiones de este vehiculo resultaron muy convenientes para cubrir rutas de baja densidad como la 7, 70 o 41. En 2020 entro a licitación un lote de 8 vehiculos al que solamente se presento Iveco y ,tras llegar, se procedió a la retirada de las 5 unidades MAN Castrosua CS-40 City II y la ultima Irisbus Europolis.
Info (EN): This vehicle's peculiar dimensions resulted very convenient to cover low density routes such as line 7, 70 or 41. In 2020 a public bidding of 8 further vehicles in similar length took place and, once they arrived, it marked the withdrawal of all 5 MAN Castrosua CS-40 City II units as well as the last of the Irisbus Europolis.
Just being neighborly. We have had a pretty rough winter with a lot of snow removal required and a lot of aging neighbors. We have been doing our sidewalk and continuing down to include three elderly neighbors after every storm. Yesterday, the lady who lives furthest down came to our door and handed me this $20 bill and, in tears, she told me how much our kindness has meant to her as she is 81 and things are getting harder for her every year. She wouldn't let me refuse the money, but seeing her gratitude made my heart happy! I'm glad we are able to help. Kindness matters.
Helios-44-2 2/58 @f/2
5 1,0-EV-bracketed pics
Photomatix Preset "Frankfurt night 15"
sharpening 0
contrast 0
Sewing Wear
Earrings - silver hoops I've had for a million years...NO idea where they came from
Scarf - thrifted from New to You Thrift Shop
Cardigan - Ann Taylor LOFT
Grey Shirt - NY&Co.
Leggings - Express
Boots - Old Navy
I wanted to take some photos of the jeans I made yesterday morning and the bandana cowl I knit about two weeks ago for my blog. I ended up taking a lot more photos than needed, but I really like them, so here you go.
2.2 km - I know it's not long by any measure, but it's the first longer road walk since the fall. Down the road, around the corner, up and down a couple of hills, and up to the main road - and back - it felt good. Fresh air and sunshine are good companions. Forgot to turn on my walking app - next time.
A very variable and tiny insect , Not easy to photograph in the wind =, especially when they just ping of.
الا الامارات.. الا خليفة
وطني.. خط أحمر..
الامارات.. خط نار تحرق كل من يحاول المساس بإسمها وقادتها وشعبها..
احذروا أيها الخونة .. فالشعب لن يبقى صامتا..
نحن لانتشرف بتمثيلكم لنا .. ولانريدكم أن تتحدثوا باسمنا..
نحن ولاءنا لآل نهيان الكرام..
ونفديهم بأرواحنا وأنفسنا ومالنا وأبناءنا..
حكامنا صنعوا العجائب لنا.. يكفينا السمعة الطيبة اينما حللنا وارتحلنا..
التي لم نكن لنحصدها لو تركنا لأمثالكم تمثيلنا والتحدث بصوت الامارات..
فاخرسوا واصمتوا والى مزبلة التاريخ وغضب الشعب..
Samsung Galaxy S5
Camera Samsung SM-G900F
Focal Length 4.8 mm
Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/2.2
ISO Speed 50
Flash Fired
HDR on
لآ أحتاج شيئاً .. ولا أقترب من زوايا فيها ما يثير غضبَ ضميريْ فأحضى بتوبيخٍ منه ..
و لا أكترث لأي فوضويّة سالبة تنغمر في بحرِ يومياتي فتصيبه بروتينٍ يقتُل كل الأحلام المنحوتةِ في ثرى سمائي ..
لستُ مضطرةً لأن أبكي في كل مرةٍ أستضيق فيها و تحجرني الجهات الأربع بلا خامسة ..
و لستُ مضطرةً أيضًا للتأمل كثيراً في تلكَ الأشياء التيْ تُديرُ ظهري إلى مامضى ..
مادام هناك يومٌ جديد ..
و نبضٌ بالوريد ..
و رآزقٌ من بعيد ..
يعطي جلّ ما أريد ..
* شمس الجطيلي .