The Renault Safrane is an executive car designed and built from 1992 until 2000. Throughout its production it was the most expensive and most luxurious Renault, although its commercial success was limited compared with its predecessor.
Renault Safrane at a glance
| Maker | Renault, France |
|---|---|
| Production | 1992–2000 |
| Class | executive car (E segment) |
| Launched | April 1992 |
| Body | five-door hatchback with notchback profile |
| Layout | transverse front engine, front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive available |
| Built | just over 300,000 |
| Replaced by | Renault Vel Satis and Avantime |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Renault Safrane.
History of the Renault Safrane
Replacing the 25
The Safrane was launched in April 1992 to replace the Renault 25 in the full-size segment. Its clean, aerodynamic styling was quite conservative and typical of early 1990s design, and it was quite reminiscent of the 25’s appearance. The car kept the Renault 25’s five-door hatchback and notchback shape despite the traditional preference for saloon bodies in the executive class. Engines were mounted transversely and drove the front wheels, with four-wheel drive also available.
Limited success
Just over 300,000 Safranes were built, compared with nearly 800,000 Renault 25s. The model was replaced by the Vel Satis and, to some extent, by the short-lived two-door Avantime.
A later Safrane
Between 2008 and 2019 a new model based directly on the Renault Samsung SM5 sedan was also called the Renault Safrane, but it was a different car from the French executive hatchback.
Design and features
- Hatchback flagship: a five-door body in a class that preferred saloons.
- Transverse engines: front-wheel drive with four-wheel drive available.
- Most luxurious Renault: the most expensive model in the range for its whole life.
- Lower sales: about 300,000 against nearly 800,000 Renault 25s.
Renault Safrane versions
- Safrane (1992–2000): the French-built executive car.
- Four-wheel-drive Safrane: available alongside front-wheel drive.
- 2008–2019 Safrane: a Samsung SM5-based model sold under the same name.
The Safrane replaced the Renault 25 and was succeeded by the Renault Vel Satis and Renault Avantime. More Renaults are in the Renault collection.
Video: Renault Safrane video
Video by schacherseppli on YouTube.
Sources
- Renault Safrane, English Wikipedia: launch, body, drive, production, later model
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