Car Test
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R0258 | |
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August 2002 |
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| Renault Vel Satis | ||
| Printer Friendly Page | Featured model: 3.0dCi Automatic | |
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A Renault for thirty thousand? It may seem a tall order, but that’s what is costs to acquire this top-of-the-range diesel. Herein lies the quandary.
To be brutally frank, the Vel Satis feels outclassed if you pitch it against rivals like the BMW 5-Series or an E-Class Merc. Not in terms of equipment or accommodation, because the go-it-alone five-door design of this Renault confers on it real advantages when the needs of rear passengers and the more practical aspects of daily life are taken into account. No, the real problem lies in terms of the model’s road manners. A big, front-wheel drive car that’s quite tall and weighty, with a powerful V6 engine under its bonnet, has some inherent dynamic problems to contend with. It’s a tribute to Renault’s design team that it behaves as well as it does. However, it’s cornering prowess and ride don’t possess the poise or steering precision expected, and on leather seats especially, its cornering attitude when pressed can easily unsettle passengers. This V6 diesel is commendably quiet and smooth, but the standard automatic box can take more control in some situations than you would wish – unnecessarily delaying an up-change after overtaking, for example, or changing down when you’ve selected manual mode. We were also irritated by the inaccuracy of some of the readouts and the inconsistency of others. All this complexity also leaves us wondering about longer-term costs in service. The automatic handbrake and tyre pressure monitoring fall into this latter category. What we did appreciate - however much its styling must remain a matter of personal opinion – was the way that this tall hatchback eases one’s entry and egress, the flat-floored rear compartment with its own air con controls, and the sensible array of oddments stowage spots at front and rear. The rear sill is too prominent when you’re loading heavy luggage, but there’s plenty of boot space even though the rear cushions don’t fold flat. In service, this engine requires more frequent checks than it’s four-cylinder counterparts, but cambelt replacement isn’t due until beyond 100,000 miles. Watch out for exclusions on the three-year warranty - items such as exhausts, drive belts and batteries aren’t included. |
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