.

.
January 10, 2003
.
This Week:

• Toyota Premieres Fine-S Fuel-Cell Concept At NAIAS In Detroit

• Audi Pikes Peak quattro: dynamism, design and space

• DaimlerChrysler Corporation Provides Dodge Ram Truck, Trench Rescue Equipment to Detroit Fire Department 

• The xActivity SAV concept makes its world debuts at 2003 NAIAS

• Ford FREESTYLE FX Is The World's First Purpose-Built Crossover Vehicle

• Record Year for the 911 in North America

• First Production Chevy SSR To Appear At NAIAS

• Mercedes-Benz Extends Its Leading Position in the World Market for Premium Automobiles in 2002

• Avantime expands its range with a Hélios special edition

• Magna announces 2003 outlook

© 1998 - 2003 Copyright & 
Disclaimer
Automotive Intelligence,
www.autointell.com
All Rights Reserved .
For questions please contact
editor@autointell.com  

.
Avantime expands its range with a Hélios special edition

Renault Avantime

Photo: Renault

Following the launch of the four-cylinder 2.0 T 16V petrol engine and the 2.2 dCi common-rail turbodiesel engine Paris - An innovative car focusing firmly on driving pleasure, Avantime provides an original outlook on travel. Now the range has become even more attractive with a Hélios special edition fitted with equipment that offers outstanding value, especially the panoramic glass sunroof supplied as standard. Available with the four-cylinder 2.0 T 16V petrol engine or the 2.2 dCi common-rail turbodiesel engine, this version offers all the enjoyment of Avantime from only €26,000, including VAT. Renault Avantime, an original outlook on car travel

On sale in France since the end of 2001 and in other main European markets since early 2002, Avantime provides an original approach to the pleasures of driving, with visibility, luminosity and openness to the world outside that are unmatched in the segment. Originally launched with a 24V V6 engine and six-speed manual gearbox, Avantime has since the spring of 2002 been available with two other engines: a four-cylinder 2.0 T 16V petrol unit and a 2.2 dCi common-rail turbodiesel unit. In addition, five-speed automatic transmission with a flick shift is now available on the 24V V6 engine.

Between January and November 2002, Avantime won over 4,571 customers in Western Europe, 2,351 of them in France. The first customer surveys carried out in France by Renault highlighted the fact that satisfaction among owners of this ground-breaking coupé is high. Avantime is perceived as a car for connoisseurs, offering a strong sense of identity and expressing the personality of the owner as well as the spirit of Renault. Moreover, its potential appeal has not yet been fully exploited. Some 90% of the first customers chose the Dynamique and Privilège versions, showing a clear preference for the top of the range. To give the model wider appeal and win over a new group of customers who are drawn to the vehicle but are looking for a different price/features combination, Renault is launching the Hélios special edition in January 2003 - a 100% Avantime concept at a particularly competitive price.

Avantime Hélios: 100% enjoyment, 100% Avantime!

Based on the Expression version, Avantime Hélios combines all the pleasures of the Avantime concept at a competitive price. Both the car's appearance and the on-board equipment have been the focus of special attention.

Outside, Avantime Hélios is fitted with elegant 16-inch wheels made of Eridan alloy, halogen instead of xenon headlamps and a chrome dual exhaust outlet. Inside, Avantime Hélios features light-coloured trim that underscores the luminosity of the cabin. Upholstery in beige Hoggar fabric is combined with beige carpeting and mats, as in the Privilège version, and a two-tone steering wheel covered with black and beige leather. Avantime Hélios has manually controlled air conditioning.

Avantime Hélios also offers an outstanding level of illumination thanks to the generous glazed surface and a panoramic glass sunroof fitted as standard. One press of the Open Air button opens all the windows to give a feeling of freedom hitherto reserved for cabriolet owners. Avantime Hélios is also available in a new clearcoat metallic colour, Pluto Grey*, in addition to Tibetan Blue, Steppe, Steel Grey, Illiad Blue and Mars Red.

Avantime Hélios is available with two four-cylinder engines - petrol or common-rail turbodiesel - hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox. The 2.0 16V turbocharged engine puts the emphasis on flexibility and driving pleasure. Developing 165bhp (120kW) and constant torque of 250Nm between 2,000 and 4,250rpm, it offers all the driving pleasure of a normally aspirated 2.5- litre engine while cutting fuel consumption by between 15% and 20% in a complete cycle. The Avantime 2.0 T 16V uses only 9.2l/100km in a combined cycle. The basic 2.2 dCi 16V engine develops a comfortable 150bhp (110kW) and generous torque of 320Nm from 1,750rpm up. It offers a high level of driving enjoyment, is exceptionally quiet due in particular to the balancer shafts housed in the cylinder block, and keeps fuel consumption down to 7.3l/100km in a complete combined cycle. Thanks to this special edition, motorists can now take advantage of all the pleasures of the Avantime concept from just €26,000, including VAT, for the 2.0 T 16V version and €28,000, including VAT, for the 2.2 dCi 16V version. Do you feel the urge to travel? Answer it with Avantime.

(January 6, 2003)