HIGHLIGHTS
- One of approx 200 UK V6 Privilege Auto Avantime's built
- Top spec
- Rare colour in excellent condition
- Two private registered keepers (from the same family)
THE APPEAL
Renault’s design chief from 1991 to 2007, Patrick Le Quément, was nothing if not bold. But then he was known for breaking the mould. As a young designer with Ford, it was Le Quément who penned the Ford Sierra – a car that set into motion a seismic shift in car design and was hugely controversial at the time of its launch.
At Renault, he presided over the original Laguna (his first project) and gave us the Twingo city car, before following an even more maverick design path that led to the Laguna II and Megane II, both of which still had to appeal to a conventional market. The Avantime, however, didn’t have a sniff of convention about it. Based on the third-generation Espace MPV floor-pan, it was a last hurrah for Renault’s relationship with coachbuilders Matra, who had made Espace's since 1984. The 2002-on Espace 4 was being brought in-house, the composite body panels being ditched in favour of steel. But Renault had a contract with Matra that ran until late 2003.
It filled the gap with one of the most unusual cars ever made – the Avantime translating to Ahead of Time, which certainly it was. The coupé-MPV hybrid that nobody ever asked for but which Le Quément had envisaged several years earlier. Thierry Metroz (design project manager) said "we wanted someone walking around the car to be continually astonished" The unveiling earned Renault huge kudos from motoring aficionados everywhere. As is usually the case with such glorious freestyle projects the Avantime sold in low numbers, but was utterly commendable for its form over function. A true design classic that remained incredibly true to the purity of the design concept.
A total of just 452 Avantimes were sold in the UK, with the vast majority registered to Renault UK itself upon delivery from Matra. This is one of them – a top spec V6 Privilege in Mars Red, and in beautifully preserved condition
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- Two family owners plus Renault UK
- Full set of books
- Servicing invoices
- UK V5C
- MOT until April 2023
This is a relatively late Avantime of the short 18-month production run, supplied new in February 2003.
It was registered in its first months to Renault UK and since then the car has only had two further registered keepers from the same family, before it was acquired by the vendor last year... a knowledgeable owner who has run Avantime's since launch in 2002
The car comes with the original black leather zipper-wallet (itself immaculate), with what looks like a full complement of books including the service booklet, which has three Renault main dealer entries and a few other hand-written later entries. There are three recent invoices also, including a service in December 2020 at 100,156 miles.
The car is presently showing just under 104,700 miles and passed its latest MOT with flying colours in April.
THE INTERIOR
- Ebony black leather
- Safety features galore and a host of extraordinary luxuries
- Dual climate control
- Twin sunroofs both with sunshades
- Theatre-style seating
- Twin hinged 'Kinematic' door opening
The flagship V6 models tended to have more opulent features, such as full leather upholstery, rear parking sensors and beefier sound system, as well as the magical 'Grand-Air' mode where, with the flick of a single switch, the huge heat-reflective glass roof above the driver retracts simultaneously with the pillarless side glass to create a pseudo top-down open driving experience like no other.
The seats in the rear have purposely been set in 'theatre-style’, several inches above the front seats, so that passengers have an uninterrupted view of the road. The driving position is commanding and gives a magnificent view ahead. Individually operated air-conditioning controls add to the sense of luxury and – pleasingly – it all works to great effect. Giving a real sense of occasion each time you climb in and set off
The interior is fitted with black leather and black carpets. Pleasingly the sweeping dashboard - true to the Paris Salon Prototype model that caused a sensation amongst the motoring press when this car was first revealed, is totally pure with sweeping lines and not hindered by the slightly awkward display pod that was latterly designed to accommodate calls for Sat Nav.
The soft-close secret cubby in the dashboard looks untouched and the cabin in general is a very nice place to be, with rich black leather upholstery and very little wear. Common problems on these cars such as fog in the rear-view-mirror and collapsing rear boot trims are of no concern here as these all look perfect.
THE EXTERIOR
- Mars Red Metallic
- Galvanised inner body
- Composite lower body panels (except bonnet)
- Bright, beautiful and damage-free
The Metallic Mars Red paintwork is in beautiful condition, complemented with silver aluminium roof-rails. It’s in terrific order and it’s difficult not to be thoroughly impressed by.
It’s the details that really make this car. The perfect centre caps, the crystal-clear headlights, the sweeping roof rails and flawless glass roof. It’s amazing – and it looks like nothing else on wheels.
THE MECHANICS
- 3.0-litre V6
- 5spd automatic transmission
- Stainless exhaust
- Great performance and smooth power delivery
The 3.0-litre V6 was the flagship of the Avantime range and its flexible nature suits the car well, with strident performance and a great exhaust note from this car’s stainless-steel system. The auto transmission is smooth and seamless, the performance rapid... You have here a vogue design masterpiece that will propel you to 139 miles an hour
The car passed an MOT test very recently with no advisory notices. It is described by the vendor as entirely reliable and a great pleasure to drive with no known faults.
SUMMARY
Wacky, weird… and utterly wonderful. The Avantime is a guaranteed future classic, its spaceship-like looks and beautifully obscure styling a real treat for anyone who loves their cars a bit different. With sales numbers being just about the lowest of any noughties production car, the shrewd out there realise the potential for values here to climb steeply.
This low ownership Avantime stands up to close scrutiny very well. Whilst it isn't quite ready for concours events it has been beautifully preserved. It's a top spec model in a colour scheme that suits the cars flair and style. With many of the best Avantime's now being squirrelled away into collector's man-caves, this is a scarce opportunity to own a particularly seductive flagship Avantime that you can be proud of.
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