– Renault Matra Avantime Privilege 2.0
– Cosmos-Violett metallic 268
– One of only 8,545 copies built worldwide, 1,114 of them in DE
– 17 zoll alloy rims
– 2.0 l turbo petrol engine with 164 hp
– Removable trailer attachment
– Beige leather interior
– Only 105.000 KM
– Owners manuel and servicebook available
– Panoramic roof, air conditioning, heated seats
– An absolutely rare Vancoupe with recognition value
The design of the Renault Avantime is very unconventional: not only the stocky form, but also the unusual rear end caused a lot of discussion. Patrick Le Quément, who had previously designed the Ford Sierra and at Renault already the extremely popular first-generation Twingo, wanted to combine coupé and van here. In 2001, production began, which was commissioned by Renault at the Matra plant in Romorantin-Lanthenay. Renault already had the Espace produced there, the conceptual layout of which – plastic body over a galvanized steel chassis – served as the basis. The Avantime dispensed with B-pillars and brought a number of technical innovations with it: the 1.40 metre long and 60 kg heavy side doors opened in a forward moving curve to save space. The Avantime was also equipped with a panoramic glass sliding roof and two-tone paintwork. There were three engine variants: a 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo engine with 120 kW (163 hp), a 3.0 litre six-cylinder engine with 152 kW (207 hp) and a diesel engine with 2.2 litres of capacity and 110 kW (150 hp). Although the Avantime was praised by its friends for exceptional driving pleasure and comfort, it remained a niche product and became a financial disaster for the manufacturer: after only 3 years and only about 8,500 units, production was stopped, which meant the end for the manufacturer Matra.