Quite an incredible car. Fabulous to see such courage by Renault to actually go through with the project and produce it. In this mediocre world of cut and paste design, it's truly stunning.

@phil8437

3 жыл бұрын

Completely agree. The new Skoda models for example look like Clones of each other. Kamiq, Karoq and Kodiak

@lucian6395

3 жыл бұрын

To be honest, I think it was greenlit as a halo car for renault, but so it could kill off the matra plant, as cool as a car as the avantime was, not many people where gonna buy it, and renault knew it.

@AlejjSi

Жыл бұрын

@@phil8437 Yes, Skoda and VW in general. It's terrible. If you want to recognize the SUV from eachother or especially the Passat Variant from the Golf Variant, you need a measuring tape to find which is which these days.

Fun fact: On the Top Gear Cool Wall, Clarkson put the Avantime on sub-zero (the coolest category!)

The world needs French cars like this; glorious follies, its not a failure!

I remember the Renault dealership having a few of these when they were brand new, as a young child I was amazed at how cool these were

Best comment I ever heard on the Avantime was from a French colleague. When I commented on how weird it was and how hard to imagine what its target market was he said that occasionally French car makers would come up with something that was “too Frenchie even for the French” and that it was fun waiting to find out what the next one would be. Renault excelled themselves in this period because it also produced the Vel Satis - slightly less weird but also “too Frenchie even for the French”.

Next car to review should be a Citroën C6 with V6 engine. Because that was the summum of both French quirkiness and comfort.

@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge

3 жыл бұрын

I really never got why the V6 was the only petrol option for the C6. I want to own a C6 one day, and I don't want a cluttery, unrefined diesel experience, but I also don't have the money to fill up a 3 litre V6 constanly.

@volvo480

3 жыл бұрын

@@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge because French. In France diesel is very popular.

@seancooke4127

2 жыл бұрын

@@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge the V6 diesel in the C6 is a very smooth engine. It is the same as the Discovery and Jaguar S Type and XF. It is economical.

@andries514

2 жыл бұрын

Yes indeed such a beautiful car. That design something else.

@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge

2 жыл бұрын

@@seancooke4127 Diesel and smooth are two words that don't intertwine. I've driven in lots of "smooth" diesels ranging from BMWs to Mercedes to even some of the larger Citroen ones, and I will always prefer an even underpowered petrol engine to a diesel.

I love the Avantime. Saw a brilliant quote when they were new ‘Nothing says bollocks to convention quite like the Avantime’ :)

That car looked so clean, couldn't see a speck of dust on the dashboard and the exterior looked immaculate. You didn't even complain about the auto transmission!

The problem of getting parts on this is the same on lots of specific parts for Italian cars... It's so stressing (but also satisfying when you find what you search for). The Avantime is probably one of my fav Renault ever, and this colour with this interior is absolutely gorgeous

This is soooo cool. Weird and interesting cars like this are what should be celebrated instead of anonymous suvs that come in 4 or 5 different sizes of the same base thing.

@baronvonjo1929

3 жыл бұрын

People buy what they wanna buy

I love this car. The world wasn't ready for it in 2001.

A few years ago, here in New Zealand, I had the opportunity to drive one of these. Such an entertaining yet awkward machine. Little wonder it was a failure. Yes! I absolutely loved it

It's cars like this that make me love French cars Used to have one round the corner of me but didn't realise how rare they were

I had a 2000 Renault Grand Espace 3.0l, 24v, automatic. It was a magic carpet! I kept it for 10 years or more and my kids nearly killed me when I got rid of it. I should have kept it because they are also extremely rare today. It went like a rocket and there was room for everything! Took it all over Europe!

One of my all time favourite cars. A classic as soon as it launched. This design has stood the test of time so well.

Oh hell yeah! And we think Citroën did some weird stuff. You have to find a Val Satis Matt.

@furiousdriving

3 жыл бұрын

I know!

haha, i've always adored this car! early 2000s french cars are so quirky and cool imo

Great car great design along with the 16 ,4, Espace and Vel Satis cars that were ahead of their time trend setters, in many ways they took over from Citroen in exciting design.

That is the French spirit. The new Peugeot line up is avant garde and instantly recognisable. Branding formidable!

Lovely to see a Renault Avantime. They never went on sale in Ireland but a few secondhand imports came here from the UK. They looked amazing. A pal of mine was a Renault salesman and thought the Vel Satis was a fantastic car. Perhaps you could get your hands on one sometime or even a Safrane, now there’s a car that was so underestimated. I drove an automatic 5 cylinder (2.4 ltr I think) for a few days and it was a rocket.

I have had one for 7 years now. It is a 2nd vehicle and its only let me down once, and it still got me home. Very relaxing car to drive, and i could happily sit in it all day and have a stress free drive. Parts are available if you know the right people, and a nice supportive owners network is out there on the uk owners club. The body wont rust, a sunny day brings out its best, and the wacky styling is a joy to wash.

I wish my Avantime looked this good! You did a great job of describing the car, although I take issue with your comment about the 2.0T being the 'wrong' engine. The V6 is of course superior, but the 2.0T does what it needs to in the Avantime (cruising along) perfectly well. The 'no mobile phone' sticker on the glovebox is actually a warning to not put the stereo remote in there (it was in the drawer, although I believe the hole behind the ESP button and mirror control can hold it for easy access).

If this had a German or a Japanese badge it would be hailed as one of the most revolutionary and quirky designs with ridiculous auction prices plus hype to go with it. It is one of the maddest things to come out of a mass manufacturer that really makes me wonder how the heck did this get past the board meetings and management. Such a refreshing thing to see compared to new cars nowadays.

When I was much younger and just bought a new camera, my brother and I went to the local Renault garage to take some pictures of the Avantime although we couldn't find it outside. A sales person came across and told us the car was getting washed but there was another one in the showroom we could go have a look at instead. So we headed in and I took the camera out when this very irate man stormed over to use and was immediately on the attack about why did I have a camera, why was I taking pictures, who was I working for etc. The idea that we just wanted pictures of the Avantime for our own interest just completely baffled him despite the Avantime being a very special looking car people would want to take pictures of. I'm pleased to see someone round the corner from me has one so get to see each time I take the dog out, I still think it's such a special car and I was almost as excited to see this on your channel as seeing a metro video.

I really love your style of presentation. Up to date, history laden and funny. Btw...a colleaque of mine drives the vel satis. We sometimes call it his tank...

Our local Renault dealer owner has 4 of these, personal collection. He told me it's a prototype they put in production, lot's of things are quite badly fitted and made. Sad in one once on the passenger seat and I was instantly in love. I had an Audi A2 in that period and I seriously though of buying a Avantime. Great video Matt, enjoyed it!

Doesnt get much cooler than this for an mpv(?). I remember when it came out I just thought it was a sligthly luxurized Espace. Took some years before I learned it was more than that. Great to see more of it!

Fantastic videography! Love the parking garage location, the lighting, and the beautiful shots.

Absolutely love these, this is one of my favourite cars that you have reviewed. So out there and quirky and that green and grey interior is exquisite. The V6 is the cherry on top. Fantastic video Matt

I remember when I was 18 I'm now 32, I was a valeter at Mitsubishi in crewe and I had the privilege of detailing one of these that was a maroony pinkish colour and it was the v6 everyone was Interested in it

Yes in a motoring world where conformity rules we can all admire a car manufacturer who dares to be different. So well done Renault. On the other hand were I in the market for a luxury V6 2+2 I don't think I would brought one of these either - if I recall correctly these things were quite expensive back in day and there were plenty of really nice cars you could get for the same or less money. But I'm certainly pleased this car exists and thanks Matt for a most informative review of a rare vehicle that is such a 'left field' choice you can hardly see it in your peripheral vision!

Hi Matt, great drive in the Renault Avantime,I've never seen these before til now.nice looking car.

I have owned two . Wonderful cars . Slightly hard ride and coil issues but other then that, brilliant cars. The delay in launch was partly down to the door design .

I always have a soft spot for these sort of brave car designs, often French! Such elan! Top review.

Would love one of these :) I'd read somewhere the target demographic was the older driver, with money/perhaps retired. Family types who'd perhaps had an Espace but kids had grown up and flew the nest, no longer needing the back doors so much but still liked the height and added luxury

I'd never heard of a Renault Avantime until I watched your video yesterday. Today I saw three of them at a local French car show I took my Renault Twizy to! :-)

Great video! I’ve always found the Avantime to be cool and intriguing. It really is like nothing else.

As always, I enjoy your channel for showing us in the US what we're missing...

@loveisall5520

2 жыл бұрын

The closest thing we had in weirdness over here was the Pontiac Aztek, which turned out to be a joke at the time and is quite collectible and cherished now -- rather like the AMC Gremlin, another misfit (though a good-selling one!).

Great video, this is a really nice example of the Avantime!

I only knew about this car because of Top Gear trying to make one faster than an Evo. This video makes it even more desirable to me than they did. I guess the demise of the car market into crossovers makes this simply awesome in comparison. The impracticality of crossovers, (can't go offroad, less boot space than an estate) makes this look brilliant. Rear passengers might not have the most space but they don't in crossovers either and you don't get that much boot space with them. I'd say even the minimalist dash in this is better than the 1 screen they're doing now as you still have buttons you can learn the feel of even if they're not where you'd immediately expect them to be when you first get in. You're not needing to look at were your touching to check you're entering the right menu to change the temperature or mute the audio.

A quality review this, Matt. I can tell you have done your homework! Great car, too. I'd love one.

You should get your camera technique trademarked, the "Furiousdriving blurred vision technique"; Where you point the camera at something in perfect focus and then put your finger in shot so the autofocus focus on that and stops us seeing what you talking about. It's something they should teach at all the colleges . I suspect the secret is to not look though the camera. A system many may find too easy to forget.

I've been waiting for someone to test one of these. We'll done Furious Driving 👏

Brilliant video got to say I do like these cars just a good looking car in my opinion have seen a few of them in France keep up the good work

finally i have one. Love driving it. it’s the perfect town / country touring car. I do believe you can get a number of parts including wind screens

lovely views and glorious descriptions of such a fantastically breathtaking car!! the bay windscreen is great 😁

@succulent951

Жыл бұрын

I'd love some longer videos from the other viewpoints!!!

Nice change to see a review in an underground car park. Suits the cars lines and the lighting highlights all of them.

I really regret not buying one of these for £6k in 2006. I adore them for their weirdness.

Awesome v log I've never seen 1 of these before looks similar to the car you doodled on your workbook at school

Actually made by Matra in Romorantin-Lanthenay for Renault alongside the Espace at the time. Unfortunately it didn't sell.

Always always always loved these. Never felt so much about the Vel Satis, but the Avantime still looks super-modern and very conceptual. It's only that steering wheel that makes it look its age, the rest is pure sci-fi. Just after I had finished university, I had a weekend job driving new cars off the ships from the continent at Southampton and most of them were Renault. If ever I saw one of those on the ship or in the storage area that was to be moved, I would always speed up my walk to get there before anyone else! Even then when they were new, you'd be lucky to see one a week come in.

Such a dreram car to drive and to see around! Great Video as always!

On a visit to the Folkestone Channel Tunnel Reception found the launch model sat on a centre plinth with that oh so different rear window ! Amazing amount of glass all round then off to drive onto train . To think only 300 were bought over here was surprising - liked the review and in depth detail of French design but not to sure on those heavy doors - Well done as usual 👍🇬🇧

Drove one a couple of times in Spain in the best colour: electric blue - Loved it like mad, even before I drove it and afterwards I loved it even more. With the roof open, the windows down and the warm Spanish evening air flowing arround me, it was an experience I will never forget. My #1 dream car. The only thing I don't like with it, is it's huge appetite for gasolin and the fact that parts are expensive and hard to find. I will have to make do with my 1:18 and 1:43 scale models.

Espace was a fantastic car to drive. I had one in France for a week in Paris and it was a great car to drive around in.

Utterly wonderful machine! I love cars that make no sense and do it in such fabulous style.

Back in 2003 in a Renault dealership in SW France, while waiting for them to wheel out our new Clio we had a good look at one while enjoying a coffee in the showroom. First impression was how weird, but the more examined the more it made sense.

HI YES DROVE THEM WHEN ALMOST NEW AT A RENAULT DEALER I WORKED AT FAB CARS I LOVE THEM ONLY BROUGHT 400 INTO THE UK SO VERY RARE SIGHT NOW XX

Seeing him sit in the back seat of this "MPV" makes it clear why this failed lol

Wow, you've excelled yourself Matt, what a vehicle! Would I buy one? Probably not. Am I glad it exists? Definitely. P.S: The indicator noise drove my Terrier mad..

An absolutely stunning vehicle. I have seen it elsewhere on KZread. The shape is very geometric, right down to the taillamps. All those automatic gadgets that over time, like keyless start and the like, become problematic. I prefer an ignition switch! An excellent review, thank you!

I think these cars are fantastic! They done them in a nice bright metallic green which I was particularly fond of; it would look particularly good with this interior.

In 2024, I'd like this revived for Vanlifers. The design is absolutely beautiful.

Matt love a review of a late model Citroën CX 25 GTi Turbo 2

Very good video on a properly interesting car, I won't have you slandering the Renault radio controls by the wheel though I find them really handy 😅

Nice one Mat, and thanks for the tour round Borehamwood - Britain’s Hollywood… I test drove a nearly new Avantime thinking about upgrading my (Shaking its Arse) 3-door Megan. It was only the 2.0 in aubergine and sliver with striking black and cream leather. I loved the look of the car and interior, wasn’t impressed with the 2.0 (it was auto) and ultimately didn’t have the balls to buy it. Instead I went for a Megan CC (hardtop convertible). Oddly, three of my friends have recently owned Avantimes - and all have enjoyed the experience. When you opened one of the middle cubbyholes you didn’t mention the remote control that was lurking inside - if I recall it controls the radio/audio system.

Lovely review I’ve actually sat in one at a car supermarket a good few years ago and I really liked it , I was more concerned about what the neighbours might think and didn’t buy it now with regret

It still look decades ahead of the Espace or Scenic that came after, it even looks decades ahead of the Captur.

“ Green door” Shakin Stevens! Love that statement! 🤪😂🤣🤣

Once turned my car round just to take pics of an Avantime. I’d never seem one in the flesh before.

@zumbieuk

3 жыл бұрын

Would sell well within the Kelvin timeline

Always liked these! Great video 🙂

I had a purple one 3.0v6 I went to the NEC Birmingham I sold it and wished I never had because it was amazing and would love to own another one some day Kind regards Richard

The first time I've seen one on British roads . The roof is very stylish I wonder how hot the car gets because of it in the summer .

Interesting...seems to me like the perfect answer to a question that no-one asked!

Rare as hens teeth in the UK but i think they look great, intrigued to see how they perform , cheers for the vid, even though it looks like you are driving it from sat on the rear seat 😁

Great review. Great car actually, ….I’d have one. Isn’t it funny how that bare, minimalist dashboard was derided at the time it was launched, but now a lot of vehicles (particularly EV’s) have adopted the blank interior look. Very ahead of the game.

@Banom7a

3 жыл бұрын

it in a way reminiscent of the GM EV1 (which also a shame GM killed them)

Great review of a Brave car at the time, now it just looks cool. Theres one down at the local Renault/Nissan Specialist where I take my Nissan for servicing, not that's its moved in a while! But still amazing to look at!

I really need one of these and that Alfa 90 with the suitcase in the dashboard.

I think it has worn incredibly well as a design - when you look at the interior, a lot of it was very ahead of its time. The flat floor in the back, seating positions etc. It wouldn't look out of place if Renault brought it back now as an EV. Would be great to see you do a Multipla!

@MaximilianvonPinneberg

3 жыл бұрын

It's interesting when you look at the Kia Ioniq 5, which has a pill out bin in the dash and 'lounge concept' and hen see this from 20 years ago. Apparently Kia fans have never heard of this car.

@callum-jim-p

3 жыл бұрын

@@MaximilianvonPinneberg I was thinking of the Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6, yeah... the Hyundai in particular has some similarities with the Avantime in terms of interior packaging (though I suspect more spacious).

@MaximilianvonPinneberg

3 жыл бұрын

@@callum-jim-p Sorry I meant Hyundai. I regularly mix the two brands up a there seems to be very little differentiation between the two. It is interesting how innovative Renault was during the LeQuement years. Twingo, Espace, Scenic, Vel Satis, Avantime, Megane 2.

@chazzcoolidge2654

2 жыл бұрын

Who knows,it may work well today as an EV with an extra 6 inches added behind the front door and add a "mini sliding door" like a van on each side,along with an optional rear facing 3rd row seat.

I'm subbing to this guy as he's got some of that 'history, context, engineering' that reminds of 'Big Car' channel, but unlike 'Big Car', adds an actual physical car and drive into the presentation. If you could work on the editing between 'scenes' that would be great :-)

There's a beaten up Avantime sitting around the back of an old factory near where I live. I'd love to get in there and have a close look at it. I did once take a photo pf one in Morecambe of all places, sitting next to some... palm trees, which suited the bizarre nature of it. Nice to see one driven. This car will be revered in years to come. You must be frustrated at your Nikon's reluctance to focus for the interior shots even if it does give nice clean video in low light.

Oh my gosh! One of my all time favourite cars.

What incredible design, heard of them, never seen one, and the name is right, beforetime, I could possibly think modern citroen DS.

What an interesting vehicle , wouldn't mind trying one of these out ! ...I know where there is 2 of these in the same household !

What a wonderful car this and the Vel Satis are. Shame so few exist, mainly due to selling poorly. I am sure they would work today if they did an all electric version.

Only saw a few of these, unlike the Espace which I enjoyed driving for a short time never had a spacious car since.

Patrick Le Quement philosophy of French design was charm over beauty, boldness and forward looking. Big inspiration he was to kid me! That being said, the automatic shift lever looks like a universal aftermarket part nicked from some random auto parts store.

Absolutely fantastic! So cool 👍

Great car and there can only be a handful left in that condition. The owner of this one has done a great job of ownership.

I am seriously impressed. The adventurous styling is a refreshing contrast to current MPVs, which all seem to be cursed with a boring sameness.

Commanding driving position, airy, Roomy, leather, pillarless, V6. All of the good stuff. It's really sort of an SUV version of the American Personal Luxury Cars. Like the Lincoln Continental Mk4, the Buick Riviera, the Oldsmobile Toronado. Top engines, top luxury, top tech, large and imposing on the outside yet not very accommodating for rear seat passengers. A beautiful car. Le Quément was a genius. The Ford Cargo brought the Ford D Series of 1965 right up into the 1980s. The design is still used in Turkey and Ashok Leyland of India bought the original cab design from Iveco Ford. I have driven many versions of the original Ford Cargo from 7.5 tonnes up to 17 tonnes and I found the cab design gave airiness and great visibility. They were always very easy to maneuver and place in traffic. Ergonomics were very sound too. DAF even based their 75 and 85 series around parts of the Cargo design.

@kamrankhan-lj1ng

2 жыл бұрын

That's the way to go. One engine, the best engine, in your top of the line car.

@seancooke4127

2 жыл бұрын

@@kamrankhan-lj1ng yep Ford 460 cubic inch in the Lincoln, 455 cubic inch in the Riviera and 455 cubic inch in the Toronado.

Great road test. I spotted one of these quite local to me and left a note asking if I could review it to compliment the vel satis video, never heard back

@kamrankhan-lj1ng

2 жыл бұрын

Just like the car!

Avantime is a brave design. Ahead of it's time; raised floor, kinematic door - at engineering feat, linear air vents = hello Audi. It's still look futuristic in 2021. It was featured in Basic Instinct II

lol...it's bonkers...a bit like the French!! stylish and quirky. Nice one Matt

Damn I want one. Wish that car would have made it over to this side of the pond.

This is one of those videos I needed to watch immediately and couldn't stop watching until the end. Very well researched, from pronouncing "Avantime" right up till all the details. But, did you know there was a poverty spec Avantime without the glass roof? Only very few were made because it appeared just before Matra pulled the plug of its automobile division and probably LHD only. There was also a 2.2 DCi diesel which wasn't very well known for its reliability, according to How Many Left there was only 1 known car in the UK which has already disappeared. But you are very much right about all the unobtainium on the car, for many things you have to visit a specialist down in Germany. (Not France. Germany) Anyway, thanks for grabbing this amazing opportunity of reviewing such French quirkiness!

@furiousdriving

3 жыл бұрын

I think the 2.2 was Europe only so that must have been a personal import

0:34; spooky, I've just bought a C5 Aircross and I'm collecting it tomorrow.

I wondered when you would get one of these.... Lunchtime viewing sorted

Wish you had filmed this in actual daylight

This is the right car to have breakfast in Brighton , make a nice ride through the landscape and have Dinner in Edinburgh or Inverness