RENAULT AVANTIME FOR PRODUCTION

Just six months after its debut as a concept car at the 1999 Geneva Salon, the first production model of the Renault Avantime - which looks virtually identical to its concept - will be unveiled at this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show (14-26 September). To go on sale in the UK towards the end of 2000, Avantime opens up yet another sector of the car market - admittedly one long forgotten - that of the luxurious Grand Touring (GT) coupe with space for four adults to relax and travel in comfort.

First in a line of radical models expected from Renault over the next two years, Avantime offers a new breed of luxury motoring. The combination of performance and driving enjoyment, the luxury of interior space and comfort - heightened by the panoramic glass roof and windows - advanced on-board technology and a powerful engine puts Avantime at the top of the wish list of anyone seeking to stand out from the crowd, see and be seen, in style and in comfort.

Avantime drivers will rediscover the fundamentals of the true GT - performance, safety, dynamic handling and comfort - while experiencing superb visibility through the large glass area and high driving position. And as a GT coupe Avantime easily fulfils the mile-eating requirements of its occupants. The car's 3.0-litre 24 valve, V6 quad-cam engine, gives 210bhp and drives through a six-speed manual gearbox to a top speed of 140 mph.

Avantime's expressive frontal styling, with its xenon headlamps and V-shaped air intakes, produces an impression of dynamism and power, helped by the vehicle's large (17-inch) wheels. In addition, the two-tone bodywork, created through the use of aluminium for the upper panels of the car, brings a special style to Avantime. Its innovative appearance, standard of equipment and new technical features - including the absence of central body pillars, two-stage parallel opening doors, and the largest single opening glass roof panel on any car - guarantee the Avantime a niche all of its own.

The Avantime's cabin is created around the needs and desires of its occupants. The first of these is ease of entry and exit aided by revolutionary, two-stage, parallel opening doors which:

• allow easy access to both front and rear, yet without opening so wide as to be an annoyance when parking
• contribute to the structural stiffness of the cabin, compensating for the absence of central pillars
• strengthen the structure against side impacts.

Once inside, driver and passengers alike find room to move and breathe in comfort while having a wide-screen view on the world through the uninterrupted side windows and the panoramic glass sunroof.

The raised driving position is clearly defined by means of a console, but all passengers are involved in the driving experience with information shown on the central section of the dashboard, a feature that remains visible from anywhere in the car.

The full-width dashboard integrates hi-tech equipment including the Carminat navigation system screen and the in-car entertainment system with six-CD autochanger.

The generously proportioned and comfortable seating is available in beige or black leather, while the front seat belts are housed within the seats. This feature improves both safety and access to the rear where passengers also benefit from two large seats. Avantime offers an amount of space rarely found in a coup� - enough for four adults and 540 litres of luggage.

Safety is high on the Avantime's agenda. While 17-inch wheels, all with disc brakes, give Avantime safer handling and better emergency braking with Renault's emergency braking assist system, passengers are reassured by the presence of no less than six airbags - driver, front seat passenger and front lateral airbags as well as two 'curtain' airbags running the length of each side of the cabin.

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