***Had a ride in a Renault Vel Satis Taxi***

[cawimmer430]

So I was in Frankfurt last week helping my mom out with her ancestor research. We travelled through Frankfurt using mostly taxis. The vast majority ended up being W210 Mercedes E200 CDI's or E220 CDI's followed by an Opel Zafira Diesel and a BMW E39 520d Touring.

The car that caught my attention though was the Renault Vel Satis.

To begin with, the diesel engine was very quiet. Quieter than your typical Mercedes E200 CDI / E220 CDI taxi (which lacks the sound absorbing / deadening material found in the civilian versions of these cars). The engine was also pretty agile as far as I could make out. Taxi drivers like to drive in a zippy fashion and the engine seemed to respond well and quickly to driver input.

The suspension was very soft and comfortable as well as quiet. Add to that the cushy leather seats, and you have yourself a really comfortable car. I'd give it a 10/10 in that department.

The interior as you can see is made up cheap materials that try to look expensive. They somehow succeed, but you always know that they could be better, especially since this car was targeted at cars like the Audi A6, MB E-Class etc.

Some pics I took. It's not a beautiful car, but I was quite impressed with the comfort and the engine. Not bad at all.

 

[Zafiro]

Renaults has alwyas been known to be comfortable cars thats why many buy them

 

[PanterroR]

Renaults has alwyas been known to be comfortable cars thats why many buy them

All French cars in fact and it's true.

 

[cawimmer430]

Renaults has alwyas been known to be comfortable cars thats why many buy them

True. Citroën especially was one of the pioneers in pneumatic suspensions. I think, in fact, they were the leaders in that field.

 

[MikeJ]

I've only ever seen one Vel Satis here... and it had French plates. Big French cars have always had their own charm, IMO.

 

[cawimmer430]

Big French cars have always had their own charm, IMO.

I think most people don't give the French the credit they deserve. They've built some innovative and classic cars with some advanced and futuristic technology onboard.

Some I can think off...

Citroën DS / SM
Citroën Traction Avant (1930s)
Citroën 2CV
Renault Alpina V6
Renault T4
Peugeot 504


Then there are probably some Talbot's and Simca's out there that are worth mentioning, except I don't know any.

 

[Giannis]

French cars have always had their own charm, IMO.

Yes, i know. I have a Renault, too

PS. Christian, that ancestor research can become a pain in the back. Perhaps you should hire a historian for some help.
Personaly, i have a friend who is a historian. He made a research about my ancestors and he was able to find ancestors even during the middle ages. Actually he found ancestors at around 400AD! Impressive, huh?

 

[MikeJ]

PS. Christian, that ancestor research can become a pain in the back. Perhaps you should hire a historian for some help.
Personaly, i have a friend who is a historian. He made a research about my ancestors and he was able to find ancestors even during the middle ages. Actually he found ancestors at around 400AD! Impressive, huh?

That's certainly impressive.

I did a bit of genealogy research on-line, but most the records only go back to ~1750. I did find out that my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather was a hero of the Pomeranian war, though.

 

[PanterroR]

Christian, Renault Alpina V6... Is this it:

 

[MikeJ]

Christian, Renault Alpina V6... Is this it:

That's it. Actually that model is a Renault Alpine A310. Rear-engined (like all Alpines, I believe) with a reputation as a widow-maker to rival that of the 911 (well, almost). It weighed less than 1,000 kg.

Here's a later Alpine GTA.

The cars were never a commercial success, despite positive press.

 

[cawimmer430]

Yes, i know. I have a Renault, too

PS. Christian, that ancestor research can become a pain in the back. Perhaps you should hire a historian for some help.
Personaly, i have a friend who is a historian. He made a research about my ancestors and he was able to find ancestors even during the middle ages. Actually he found ancestors at around 400AD! Impressive, huh?

Oh my mom is using a historian and some professional help. She's been able to trace some of her Jewish roots as far back as the 13th century so far. More to come.

 

[cawimmer430]

Christian, Renault Alpina V6... Is this it:

Correct.

Think of it as something like the BMW Isetta. Not a beauty, but a legend.

 

[Mr. M]

That Renault taxi is really cool. a Golf competitor?

 

[SDNR]

What do you guys think about the Renault Espace? ....I really like it.

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[MikeJ]

That Renault taxi is really cool. a Golf competitor?

Nope, the Vel Satis is Renault's biggest model (it's 4.86 metres long). It's supposed to be an alternative to the likes of 5er, E-class and A6.

 

[Giannis]

I drove this thing once (Vel Satis). It's confortable oriented and not something special. I would take any volvo over it any day. Qualitywise, nothing special too.

I drove it for like 10 minutes two years ago, when i was waiting for an oil change for the clio...

 

[SDNR]

That Renault taxi is really cool. a Golf competitor?

The Vel Satis is supposed to be a luxury car ....Renault would like us to see it as a kind of VIP car.


This is my favourite Renault of recent times. The Avantime was not a successful model (only 8,545 were built) but I really love this car.

It is so unique ...with some unusual features, like this strange door-hinge mechanism.

This is the colour I would choose.

 

[Mr. M]

Renault sure has been bold with building such quirky cars, don't you think Rob? I really respect them for that.

 

[SDNR]

Yes they have been bold James -- quite risky. But I guess when your model line-up is complete and utter crap on so many levels, you need to do something dramatic just to be noticed.

So I salute Renault for taking risks and re-discovering that French flare for the unconventionally stylish.

I like this too


..and this. The 2005 Renault Egeus Concept


BTW: I think I have edited this post enough now

 

[cawimmer430]

That Renault taxi is really cool. a Golf competitor?

Audi A6, BMW 5er and Benz E-Class competitor actually.