Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899 
|
Post by Lee on Aug 6, 2006 3:26:13 GMT 1
|
|
skunk
87thScale addict
5th B-day
Posts: 2,762
|
Post by skunk on Aug 6, 2006 4:26:49 GMT 1
It's a Renault Avantime. They were only built for a very brief period, RHDs being rare in the extreme. It's possible that this was brought in under the Ralph Lauren loophole, but to me it seems to be more likely to be a car brought in by Nissan for "evaluation." Especially considering the fair amount of Nissan R&D that takes place in cali.
Good find, I am glad you brought your camera!
|
|
Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
|
Post by Lee on Aug 6, 2006 4:43:06 GMT 1
Good find, I am glad you brought your camera! I never leave home without it! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Marc S. on Aug 6, 2006 14:31:30 GMT 1
A two-door minivan coupé was probably too avant-time even for those who like quirky French cars. Renault found that their conventional near-luxury saloons and fastbacks (R25, Safrane) didn't sell and decided to try something entirely different: the Avantime and the Vel Satis. With the successful Espace minivan getting more and more a luxury car, the idea behind does not seem too far-fetched. At least in theory.
The Vel Satis comes with five doors and is similar in concept to Opel's Signum, i.e. a luxury hatchback. It is still on offer, although few people actually sign a purchase order. Even in France, you buy BMW 5-series, Mercedes E-class or Audi A6 when you spend as much money. Or perhaps a Citroen C6.
Marc S.
|
|
BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
|
Post by BillC on Aug 6, 2006 14:51:46 GMT 1
Since it's not too far from Nissan's design studios, one wonders if the Avantime is playing a role in a future Nissan design?
Bill C.
|
|
