31-03-2005
The daring and modern lines of Vel Satis have gently evolved with
New Vel Satis. The cabin has gained in functionality and elegance.
Inside, quality materials and the blending of upholsteries surround
each passenger with comfort and refinement. Many of the features
already fitted to Vel Satis, such as the parking aid system, the xenon
headlamps and the navigation system, have been further developed.
The existing range of engines and transmissions is retained, but with
more power and torque for the 2.0 Turbo engine and a particulate filter
for the 2.2 dCi engine. On sale in France from April 8, 2005, New
Vel Satis illustrates the priority allocated by Renault to safety and quality.
Refined exterior design
The new front design incorporates a new grille
with chromed strakes, the headlamps, and a
redesigned lower air intake. The rear section of
the car becomes lighter and more dynamic, with
two visible exhaust pipes and crystal-treated
rear lamp clusters. The door handles are now
chrome-finished on all versions. Two new types
of alloy wheel make their appearance, in 17-inch
and 18-inch sizes, as well as two new body colours,
Marron glacé brown and platinum grey.
The dashboard has been given a more streamlined
shape, with some of its parts satin-finished.
The instrument dials and needles evoke the world
of watchmaking; the wood trim strips are in
bird’s-eye maple, and the inlays in alder: an
unusual combination which expresses discreet
luxury, New cloth upholstery (dark charcoal
or light grey) and leather (very dark charcoal
or tobacco beige) make their appearance. For
additional functionality, the centre console
separates the driving controls from those
concerned with comfort.
The interior lighting has been completely
redesigned. The overhead light, which progressively
dims to extinction, uses opal glass and
satinized chrome. It emphasizes the welcoming
nature of the cabin. The reading lamps complement
the central overhead light whenever the
doors are opened.
On board New Vel Satis, the idea of a “high
class saloon” is given full rein. With 13cm
more headroom than the average in this
segment, accessibility and interior space remain
unequalled, and the seat comfort exceptional.
The front seats, power operated and heated,
consist of three sections, each of which may
be separately adjusted. The driver’s seat adjusts
over a wide range (6cm in height) and its
settings can be memorized. Together with a
steering wheel adjustable for both height and
reach, this allows the driving position to be
very finely adjusted. Much attention has been
paid to the ergonomics, notably with the installation
of the controls for the new Carminat
Navigation and Communication system in the
centre console, within easy reach of the driver
who can still continue to concentrate on driving.
Efficient and reassuring behaviour
on the road
Ever since its introduction, the stability and
handling of Vel Satis has been universally
admired. New Vel Satis carries over the general
layout, with MacPherson type suspension at the
front and Renault’s patented “trigonal” multi-link
arrangement at the rear. This layout ensures
remarkable stability in a straight line and when
cornering, regardless of weight distribution.
This effective and innovative chassis is well
served by tyres of generous size (225/55-17
or 245/45-18 according to version), and by a
powerful, progressive and fade-resistant braking
system (with 324mm discs at the front and
300mm discs at the rear). The speed-sensitive
variable-assistance power steering system
provides precision of control and ease of driving
in all circumstances.
flexibility and driving pleasure
Within the range of engines and transmissions
for Vel Satis, the two 4-cylinder engines have
been further developed.
New Vel Satis introduces a development of
the 2.0 T engine (F4Rt). This now produces
170hp (125kW) at 5,000rpm, and torque
of 270Nm at 3,250rpm. This engine is equipped
with a Twin Scroll type turbocharger which
benefits both ease of driving and emissions.
The twin-mass flywheel reduces noise and
vibration within the kinematic chain. Available
with manual or automatic transmission,
this engine conforms with Euro 4 emission
standards.
The 2.2 dCi engine continues to be offered
in three versions: 115hp (85kW/320Nm),
140hp with particulate filter (102kW/320Nm)
and 150hp (110kW/320Nm).
The particulate filter (a cylinder forming part
of the exhaust system) is an emission control
system which significantly reduces the emission
of unburned particulates.
Complementing the catalytic converter, it retains
and then neutralizes the particulate emissions
using a silicon carbide filtration medium.
Any particulates emitted are caught, and then
dispersed using a heating effect. Software
written into the computer controls the entire
filter regeneration operation.
Renault’s particulate filter, catalytic in its
operation, has the advantage of not needing
an additive which must be regularly replenished.
In addition, its life is usefully longer than the
competition (105,000km instead of 80,000km).
The 3.5 V6 24V engine, a fruit of the Renault-
Nissan Alliance, develops 245hp (177Kw)
at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 330Nm
at 3,600rpm. At least 85% of maximum torque
is available from 1,200rpm, ensuring a high
level of flexibility and response. This engine
is offered only with a five-speed automatic
transmission. This powertrain is notable for
its smoothness and quietness of operation,
which guarantees real driving pleasure.
The 3.0 V6 turbodiesel engine with common rail
fuel injection and variable geometry turbocharger
develops 130kW (180hp) at 4,400rpm
with maximum torque of 350Nm at 1,800rpm.
It provides a high level of performance
with reduced fuel consumption, and the appeal
of a 6-cylinder power unit.
Additional engines will appear in the range
during 2005 and 2006.
New Vel Satis offers a choice of transmissions,
manual or automatic.
Highly developed comfort features
New Vel Satis benefits from the latest
technologies to assist ease of use, such as
the Renault card for hands-free access and
engine starting.
Within a perimeter of two metres around
the car, the detection of the active badge
unlocks the doors and the rear hatch. It stores vehicle information (identification,
mileage, oil level, tyre pressures, distance
remaining to the next service) together with seat
and mirror position settings, in its memory.
The engine is started, without having to
insert the card into its slot, by simultaneously
pressing the Start button and the brake pedal.
The parking aid system is now installed at
the front as well as the rear of New Vel Satis.
It warns the driver of the proximity of unseen
obstacles by means of audible “beeping” which
becomes more frequent as the object is
approached. This detection distance extends
from 20cm out to 1.5 metres from the vehicle.
Every time the vehicle is started, the warning
sound is switched off as soon as the speed
exceeds 15kph for the first time. It remains
operational below this threshold speed but
within a smaller detection zone (less than 60cm)
so that it does not operate needlessly, for
example in a traffic jam.
New Vel Satis is equipped with an automatic
parking brake. This is automatically applied
whenever the engine is switched off, and
automatically released when the engine
is restarted. It makes some manoeuvres,
for example hill starting, easier. The driver
has only to pull the control paddle lightly
towards him to apply the brake no matter
how steep the slope. The brake is released
automatically as soon as the vehicle achieves
forward motion.
Whenever the parking brake assist is in
action, an appropriate message appears on
the dashboard display.
The freeing of the space normally occupied
by the handbrake allows the occupants to
be provided with a true central armrest.
An audible warning sounds if a door is opened
(while the engine is running) and the parking
brake has not been applied.
New Vel Satis introduces a new multimedia
system which incorporates a latest-generation
navigation, a Cabasse Tronic 6CD MP3
4x50W audio system, and a hands-free kit
with advanced functions. Voice recognition,
a central controller and 6.5-inch (16.5cm)
wide colour screen add considerably to the
ease of using this system. The menus are
more intuitive, and their colours change
according to the selected mode: Navigation
(brown), Radio (blue) or Telephone (green).
The eight loudspeakers relay the sound of
the radio, telephone and navigation functions
with very high quality.
Carminat Navigation and Communication
includes a control and voice recognition
system (for navigation and telephoning). It
allows the creation of a voice repertoire via
the registration of voice imprints (10 for
navigation, 40 for telephoning). The registration
of more than 60,000 voices makes it possible
to recognize all European accents.
The display, and voice recognition and contro
are available in seven languages: French,
German, English, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and
Portuguese.
This new multimedia navigation system is
more ergonomic. The most frequently used
functions are directly available via a control
which falls immediately to hand. The user is
provided with many options to personalize the
navigation system.
Text and photos courtesy of Renault
