Avantime, it’s all in the name. A car that was ahead of its time? It is, yes. When Renault introduces this funny car Frankfurt Motor Show 1999the surprise is real for many interesting people who came to admire the brand’s latest novelties. Losange presents the world premiere of coupespace, a combination of genres between a coupe and a minivan. So it has the dimensions of a minivan, but in a new body that only has three doors. Upon closer inspection, it is a concentration of small original details. Starting with his windows without a central rack. Its air intakes above the headlights or a two-tone body with a specific roof. There the back glass has a curved shapein the same style as the 2002 Mégane II. Finally, the cabin is bathed in light with an almost completely glazed roof.

Too original a model to be taken seriously

Renault watches the time to surf on the success of minivans in Europewhich he initiated together with Espace, released in 1984. Speaking of Espace, Avantime was just that based on the third generation MPV platform. It was actually assembled on its lines, at the Matra factory in Romoranten-Lantene. It was launched in 2001 a single 210-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine. In 2002, the range was expanded with a smaller block: a four-cylinder 2.0L 165 horsepower. the same year, Diesel unit 2.2 dCi with a capacity of 150 horsepower expands its offer. Unfortunately, his career was very short, due to complex positioning. Too small for a family, too big for a couple. Its production stopped in May 2003we never heard of the coupéspace again and even less of the Avantime.

Bringing back the Avantime name?

Although the original Avantime is well and truly buried, Renault can resurrect the name ! After the crossover Southern and its elongated seven-seater version called Espace, Losange prepares a chopped derivative. Like the Espace, which was not called “Grand Austral”, this Austral coupe could have had its own name. And Avantime will be one of the potential retained names. Amazing choice Avantime’s commercial failure tarnished his reputation, to say the least.

This large SUV will be based on Geely’s hybrid platform: CMA (already used by Volvo, Polestar and Lynk&Co). We are already talking about motorization plug-in hybrid up to 280 horsepower ! Length 4.70 mit will have a much more aggressive design than the Austral. Gilles Vidal’s paw, a new Renault designer who arrived just in time to develop the Austral Coupé. It may be presented this year, for release next year. He will be collected in Busan for the Korean market, and in Palencia (Spain) for the European market.