2005 Renault Vel Satis Business

The daring and modern lines of Vel Satis have gently evolved with New Vel Satis. The cabin has gained in functionality and elegance. Inside, quality materials and the blending of upholsteries surround each passenger with comfort and refinement. Many of the features already fitted to Vel Satis, such as the parking aid system, the xenon headlamps and the navigation system, have been further developed. The existing range of engines and transmissions is retained, but with more power and torque for the 2.0 Turbo engine and a particulate filter for the 2.2 dCi engine. On sale in France from April 8, 2005, New Vel Satis illustrates the priority allocated by Renault to safety and quality.

Refined exterior design
The new front design incorporates a new grille with chromed strakes, the headlamps, and a redesigned lower air intake. The rear section of the car becomes lighter and more dynamic, with two visible exhaust pipes and crystal-treated rear lamp clusters. The door handles are now chrome-finished on all versions. Two new types of alloy wheel make their appearance, in 17-inch and 18-inch sizes, as well as two new body colours, Marron glacé brown and platinum grey.

The dashboard has been given a more streamlined shape, with some of its parts satin-finished. The instrument dials and needles evoke the world of watchmaking; the wood trim strips are in bird's-eye maple, and the inlays in alder: an unusual combination which expresses discreet luxury, New cloth upholstery (dark charcoal or light grey) and leather (very dark charcoal or tobacco beige) make their appearance. For additional functionality, the centre console separates the driving controls from those concerned with comfort.
The interior lighting has been completely redesigned. The overhead light, which progressively dims to extinction, uses opal glass and satinized chrome. It emphasizes the welcoming nature of the cabin. The reading lamps complement the central overhead light whenever the doors are opened.

On board New Vel Satis, the idea of a 'high class saloon' is given full rein. With 13cm more headroom than the average in this segment, accessibility and interior space remain unequalled, and the seat comfort exceptional. The front seats, power operated and heated, consist of three sections, each of which may be separately adjusted. The driver's seat adjusts over a wide range (6cm in height) and its settings can be memorized. Together with a steering wheel adjustable for both height and reach, this allows the driving position to be very finely adjusted. Much attention has been paid to the ergonomics, notably with the installation of the controls for the new Carminat Navigation and Communication system in the centre console, within easy reach of the driver who can still continue to concentrate on driving.

Efficient and reassuring behaviour on the road Ever since its introduction, the stability and handling of Vel Satis has been universally admired. New Vel Satis carries over the general layout, with MacPherson type suspension at the front and Renault's patented 'trigonal' multi-link arrangement at the rear. This layout ensures remarkable stability in a straight line and when cornering, regardless of weight distribution. This effective and innovative chassis is well served by tyres of generous size (225/55-17 or 245/45-18 according to version), and by a powerful, progressive and fade-resistant braking system (with 324mm discs at the front and 300mm discs at the rear). The speed-sensitive variable-assistance power steering system provides precision of control and ease of driving in all circumstances.

flexibility and driving pleasure Within the range of engines and transmissions for Vel Satis, the two 4-cylinder engines have been further developed. New Vel Satis introduces a development of the 2.0 T engine (F4Rt). This now produces 170hp (125kW) at 5,000rpm, and torque of 270Nm at 3,250rpm. This engine is equipped with a Twin Scroll type turbocharger which benefits both ease of driving and emissions.

The twin-mass flywheel reduces noise and vibration within the kinematic chain. Available with manual or automatic transmission, this engine conforms with Euro 4 emission standards. ( posted on conceptcarz.com) The 2.2 dCi engine continues to be offered in three versions: 115hp (85kW/320Nm), 140hp with particulate filter (102kW/320Nm) and 150hp (110kW/320Nm).

The particulate filter (a cylinder forming part of the exhaust system) is an emission control system which significantly reduces the emission of unburned particulates. Complementing the catalytic converter, it retains and then neutralizes the particulate emissions using a silicon carbide filtration medium. Any particulates emitted are caught, and then dispersed using a heating effect. Software written into the computer controls the entire filter regeneration operation.

Renault's particulate filter, catalytic in its operation, has the advantage of not needing an additive which must be regularly replenished. In addition, its life is usefully longer than the competition (105,000km instead of 80,000km).

The 3.5 V6 24V engine, a fruit of the Renault- Nissan Alliance, develops 245hp (177Kw) at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 330Nm at 3,600rpm. At least 85% of maximum torque is available from 1,200rpm, ensuring a high level of flexibility and response. This engine is offered only with a five-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) This powertrain is notable for its smoothness and quietness of operation, which guarantees real driving pleasure. The 3.0 V6 turbodiesel engine with common rail fuel injection and variable geometry turbocharger develops 130kW (180hp) at 4,400rpm with maximum torque of 350Nm at 1,800rpm. It provides a high level of performance with reduced fuel consumption, and the appeal of a 6-cylinder power unit. Additional engines will appear in the range during 2005 and 2006. New Vel Satis offers a choice of transmissions, manual or automatic.

Highly developed comfort features New Vel Satis benefits from the latest technologies to assist ease of use, such as the Renault card for hands-free access and engine starting.

Within a perimeter of two metres around the car, the detection of the active badge unlocks the doors and the rear hatch. It stores vehicle information (identification, mileage, oil level, tyre pressures, distance remaining to the next service) together with seat and mirror position settings, in its memory. The engine is started, without having to insert the card into its slot, by simultaneously pressing the Start button and the brake pedal.

The parking aid system is now installed at the front as well as the rear of New Vel Satis. It warns the driver of the proximity of unseen obstacles by means of audible 'beeping' which becomes more frequent as the object is approached. This detection distance extends from 20cm out to 1.5 metres from the vehicle. Every time the vehicle is started, the warning sound is switched off as soon as the speed exceeds 15kph for the first time. It remains operational below this threshold speed but within a smaller detection zone (less than 60cm) so that it does not operate needlessly, for example in a traffic jam.

New Vel Satis is equipped with an automatic parking brake. This is automatically applied whenever the engine is switched off, and automatically released when the engine is restarted. It makes some manoeuvres, for example hill starting, easier. The driver has only to pull the control paddle lightly towards him to apply the brake no matter how steep the slope. The brake is released automatically as soon as the vehicle achieves forward motion.

Whenever the parking brake assist is in action, an appropriate message appears on the dashboard display. The freeing of the space normally occupied by the handbrake allows the occupants to be provided with a true central armrest. An audible warning sounds if a door is opened (while the engine is running) and the parking brake has not been applied.

New Vel Satis introduces a new multimedia system which incorporates a latest-generation navigation, a Cabasse Tronic 6CD MP3 4x50W audio system, and a hands-free kit with advanced functions. Voice recognition, a central controller and 6.5-inch (16.5cm) wide colour screen add considerably to the ease of using this system. The menus are more intuitive, and their colours change according to the selected mode: Navigation (brown), Radio (blue) or Telephone (green). The eight loudspeakers relay the sound of the radio, telephone and navigation functions with very high quality.

Carminat Navigation and Communication includes a control and voice recognition system (for navigation and telephoning). It allows the creation of a voice repertoire via the registration of voice imprints (10 for navigation, 40 for telephoning). The registration of more than 60,000 voices makes it possible to recognize all European accents.

The display, and voice recognition and contro are available in seven languages: French, German, English, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese.

This new multimedia navigation system is more ergonomic. The most frequently used functions are directly available via a control which falls immediately to hand. The user is provided with many options to personalize the navigation system.

Source - Renault