It is bigger than you would think
The Renault Vel Satis is a full-size European executive car. The external measurements are as follows: Length 4.86, width 1.86 and height 1.58. It is the height which makes the car look smaller than it really is. It is designed as a compact hatchback and scaled up to the E-class. A French attempt to redesign the prestige class.
Prestige car?
When state-owned Renault makes a prestige car, it naturally also makes a car for the president. The last president to use Vel Satis was Nicolas Sarkozy until 2010 when production was discontinued. Then the model had been in production since 2002 with a facelift in 2005. The car pictured is before the facelift, - in my opinion the most beautiful, with vertical slanted ribs in the grill. After the facelift, the front was made simpler, more anonymous and featureless. It didn't help much with chrome strips in the grill, chrome-plated door handles and two separate exhaust pipes. The lack of prestige is perhaps the biggest objection to Vel Satis. Not a bad car, just a bit special, - but not special enough, perhaps?
Engines
A car made for presidents (and others) must of course be offered with good engines. Well Satis had two V6s in the model range, – 3,5 V6 and 3,0 dCi. All the cars I have seen have had the 2,0 dCi or 2,2 dCi diesel engines. Alternatively, you could also get it with 2,0 Turbo petrol.
About the pictures
Depicted car is in the color Bleu Azur. A French classic that certainly belongs among classy summer houses near a sleepy Mediterranean town. The photos were taken at the beach outside Argelès-sur-Mer in the south of France.
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