Renault Vel Satis (2005)

Renault Vel Satis

The Renault Vel Satis is an executive car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. It was launched at the 2001 Geneva Motorshow to replace the already-discontinued Safrane and has nothing in common with the 1990s concept car of the same name.

The Vel Satis is distinguished by its unusual height, which benefits interior space but results in rather ungainly proportions. It has a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating and is available with a variety of engines:

4-cylinder, 16-valve, turbocharged 2.0-liter
Nissan-sourced 24-valve, 3.5-liter V6 (also used in a variety of Nissan models including the Altima, Murano, 350Z/Fairlady, and Infiniti G, M and QX series))
4-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.2-liter direct-injection turbodiesel
Perkins-sourced 24-valve 3.0-liter direct-injection turbodiesel

The Vel Satis shares its "platform" (chassis, powertrain, assembly process) with the Laguna and Espace IV and is produced on the same assembly line in Sandouville, France.

In October 2004, while overtaking a lorry at 130 km/h (81 mph) under cruise control, an automatic 3.0 Diesel Vel Satis allegedly accelerated on its own to over 190 km/h (120 mph) on a section of the Autoroute A71 freeway (motorway) in central France, and remained at that speed for over an hour in spite of the drivers' alleged efforts to stop it. The police, alerted by a cell phone call from the driver, cleared the freeway ahead of the car and tracked it until it finally stopped near a toll booth. According to the driver, the incident happened due to a faulty cruise control system, in conjunction with the electronic card that replaces the conventional ignition key and makes it impossible to start or stop the engine without electronic intermediates.

Renault immediately investigated the car and found no faults with it, even though a random cause such as electronic interference from an outside source (in this case, the overtaken lorry), while highly improbable, cannot fully be ruled out. Repeated tests under judicial supervision with this car and others of the same model have proven that the driver can always override the cruise control and bring the car to a stop by at least two independent means even if the conventional method of applying the brakes to disengage the cruise control fails:

move the automatic transmission selector from Drive to Neutral
press the cruise control's on/off button five times in rapid sequence, as instructed by the car's user manual

In view of these results, Renault has taken legal action against the driver for libel.

In March 2005, Renault UK decided not to develop a right-hand drive version of the facelifted Vel Satis, as sales of the model had been poor in the United Kingdom since launch. Although 3,500 sales predicted, only a third of these were achieved.

This came only two years after the Avantime coupé/MPV was discontinued by Renault, wh

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia.

- - 2011
    New Renault Laguna's more assertive front-end styling - which features 'eyelid' headlights with black masks as standard, as well as additional chrome...
    Renault Laguna
- - 2008
    New Laguna's refined lines have been carefully crafted to create a dynamic, fluid design that effortlessly underpins the model's status as a true Grand...
    Renault Laguna
- - 2005
    The Laguna II had a small facelift and relaunch in March 2005. The engines are much the same as before, with the 1.6 and 1.8 petrol units being offered in...
    Renault Laguna
- - 2000
    The styling of the second generation Laguna was heavily influenced by the Initiale concept car. Unfortunately, despite the technological advances...
    Renault Laguna Initiale 3.0 V6 24V
- - 1998
    The Renault Laguna is a large family car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. Launched in 1994, the original model was replaced by an all-new...
    Renault Laguna
- - 2021
    Renault Megane Sedan integrates 100% Pure Vision LED technology, which is more efficient on the road, as well as the emblematic Renault C-Shape light signature...
    Renault Megane Sedan
- - 2017
    The Megane family is expanding with the introduction of a four-door version - the new Renault Megane Sedan. This model completes Renault's offering in the...
    Renault Megane Sedan
- - 2003
    Megane was voted European Car Of The Year in 2003, and achieved a 5-star safety rating in the EuroNCAP crash tests, the first car in its class to do so.
    Renault Megane II Saloon
- - 2013
    New Renault Symbol is being given its first public airing at the 2012 Istanbul Motor Show. The newcomer's upgraded, modern equipment specification and...
    Renault Symbol
- - 2009
    New Renault Symbol is a new three-box saloon which features attractive styling. Its length of 4.26 metres and height of 1.43 metres ensure nicely balanced...
    Renault Symbol
- - 2006
    In 2001 Renault launched the sedan version of the Clio II, named Clio Symbol (Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria), Thalia (the rest of Eastern Europe)...
    Renault Thalia
- - 2009
    As part of its international development, Renault launches a new executive called Renault Safrane, this new model is based directly on Renault Samsung...
    Renault Safrane
- - 1996
    The Renault Safrane is an executive car designed and built by the French manufacturer Renault from 1992 to 2000. Throughout its lifespan it remained the...
    Renault Safrane
- - 2011
    Renault Latitude is a generously-dimensioned saloon car. Its nicely balanced proportions and elegant lines point to the exceptional comfort and wellbeing...
    Renault Latitude
- - 2013
    New Renault Fluence makes its debut at the 2012 Istanbul Motor Show. The modern styling and on-board technologies of this three-volume saloon car, which is...
    Renault Fluence
  - 2013
    To distinguish itself from its internal combustion-engined cousin, Renault Fluence ZE features the distinctive and defining hallmarks of Renault's electric...
    Renault Fluence ZE
  2 ⇵
- - 2010
    Renault Fluence was designed with the aim of standing out as the most attractive car of its class and several features set it apart from rivals: beneath...
    Renault Fluence
SHOW MORE

- - 2005
    The Vel Satis is distinguished by its unusual height, which benefits interior space but results in rather ungainly proportions. It has a five-star EuroNCAP...
    Renault Vel Satis
- - 2001
    The Vel Satis shares its "platform" (chassis, powertrain, assembly process) with the Laguna and Espace IV and is produced on the same assembly line in...
    Renault Vel Satis

Sedans
- - 2006
    It is inspired by the C6 Lignage prototype which was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in the spring of 1999, but differs from the concept car's styling...
    Citroen C6
- - 2002
    The Thesis is Lancia's own inimitable interpretation of the big prestige saloon theme. Without forgetting the stylistic and philosophical lesson learned from...
    Lancia Thesis
- - 2019
    For its fifth generation, Toyota Avalon received an all-encompassing makeover by Toyota's U.S.-based design, engineering, and manufacturing entities...
    Toyota Avalon
  - 2020
    TRD's modifications work the same magic on the Avalon as they do on the Camry. Toyota Avalon TRD gets Black Sport SofTex-trimmed heated front seats...
    Toyota Avalon TRD
  2 ⇵
- - 2016
    The Toyota Avalon has for 20 years set the benchmark for the premium midsize sedan category, an area that has seen additional competitors appear in the...
    Toyota Avalon
- - 2013
    For 2013, Toyota has dramatically altered the chemistry of Toyota Avalon's formula, creating a new potent and persuasive sedan that helps shift the...
    Toyota Avalon
- - 2011
    Toyota introduced the boldly redesigned 2011 Toyota Avalon at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. Evoking a time when travel was sophisticated, elegant and...
    Toyota Avalon
- - 2006
    The 2005 Avalon is a complete redesign from the previous generations. It is Toyota's largest, most luxurious, and most expensive sedan model sold under its...
    Toyota Avalon Limited
- - 2016
    The Ford Falcon XR8 Sprint will be powered by a bespoke Sprint calibrated version of Ford's 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 that develops 345 kW @ 5,750 rpm...
    Ford Falcon XR8 Sprint
  - 2016
    Ford is drawing on its performance heritage to launch the limited-edition, high-performance Falcon Sprint series, which goes on sale in May 2016. A total...
    Ford Falcon XR6 Sprint Turbo
  2 ⇵
- - 2008
    The G6E builds upon the luxury G Series story even further, adding to the standard G6 specification with a range of features to deliver a highly-specified...
    Ford FG Falcon G6E
  - 2008
    The exciting Boss 290 5.4-litre four-valve V8 engine moves to the XR8 with the introduction of the FG Falcon and is complemented by a new exhaust system...
    Ford FG Falcon XR8
  2 ⇵
- - 2006
    Ford BF MkII Falcon went on sale 22nd October, 2006. The XT, Futura and Fairmont sport a facelift, while the XR range gets some minor interior updates.
    Ford BF MkII Falcon XR8
- - 2002
    The stunning new Boss 260 V8 engine in the Ford BA Falcon XR8 is the first salvo in a new barrage of high output engines developed by Ford Australia's...
    Ford BA Falcon XR8
- - 1998
    The Ford AU Falcon was a full-size family car, manufactured by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between September 1998 and September 2002. The AU...
    Ford AU Falcon XR6 VCT
  - 2001
    Hot on the heels of its return to the V8 Supercar winners circle Ford has given its road-going equivalent - the XR8 Falcon - a performance boost by adding...
    Ford Falcon XR8
  2 ⇵
- - 1997
    The Ford EL Falcon is a full-size car that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between 1996 and 1998. The EL Falcon served as the final...
    Ford EL Falcon GT
- - 1992
    Visually the 1991 Ford EB Falcon remained nearly identical to its predecessor. The most noticeable change was the transfer of the Ford emblem from the tip...
    Ford EB II Falcon GT
- - 1972
    The end of production of the Falcon in the US paved the way for much greater Australian input in the design of Australian-made Falcons, from 1972 onwards,...
    Ford XA Falcon GT
- - 2004
    Thr 607 was launched in 1999, to replace the 605. It used its predecessor's chassis but had an all-new, more modern exterior design. The engine range - 2.2...
    Peugeot 607
- - 2019
    Inside, the dramatic Nissan Maxima body is a driver-oriented cockpit and comfortable seating for all five occupants. Enhancing the Maxima's already high level of...
    Nissan Maxima
- - 2016
    Nissan unveiled the all-new Nissan Maxima at the 2015 New York International Auto Show. Making the presentation was Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn,...
    Nissan Maxima
- - 2012
    Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) announced U.S. pricing for the 2012 Nissan Maxima, which is on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide. Maxima is again offered...
    Nissan Maxima
- - 2009
    The 2009 Nissan Maxima, which makes its world debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show, marks a return to the longtime Nissan flagship sedan's...
    Nissan Maxima
- - 2004
    The latest generation Maxima, codenamed A34, shares its platform with the third generation Nissan Altima, in addition to several other Nissan models, and...
    Nissan Maxima
- - 2015
    With roots that include the breakthrough 1955 and 2005 models, the new 2015 Chrysler 300 takes the nameplate's style and sophistication to new levels and...
    Chrysler 300
- - 2011
    The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan embodies the essence of the new Chrysler brand: delivering passion for design, people and the environment through...
    Chrysler 300
  - 2012
    The 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8® adds high-performance hardware to the elegant proportions and head turning design of the 2011 Chrysler 300 to provide the...
    Chrysler 300 SRT8
  2 ⇵
- - 2005
    Top of the line 300C version uses a 5.7 L Hemi V8. This engine can run on four cylinders when less power is needed, reducing fuel consumption. The EPA has...
    Chrysler 300C
  - 2005
    Chrysler introduced a special SRT-8 version of the car at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2004. It includes a new 6.1 L Hemi which produces 425 hp (317 kW).
    Chrysler 300C SRT8
  2 ⇵
- - 2005
    Kia Opirus is the new pinnacle of the Kia range. It represents a significant new move for Kia Motors as the company introduces a top-of-the-range passenger...
    Kia Opirus
SHOW MORE