When a French manufacturer ventures with a new model into the premium passenger or limousine segment, you can always expect something extraordinary. Renault is no exception. We still remember driving through the streets of Berlin with the brand new Avantime, at its world press presentation. The car caused nothing short of a sensation.

Renaults new executive limousine is called, fittingly, Talisman. Very promising.... Just read on for the first details and photos.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

As you can see from the photos, the design is rather bold, and indeed stands out from the rest. So does the spaciousness of the cabin. The front seats are also sculpted ideally and provide an unseen level of comfort. The luggage compartment holds a massive 608 litres (VDA-norm). Creature comfort was always written big in French limousines and "grandes routières", from the mind blowing big Renault Reinastellas to the rakishly styled Voisins.

We sincerely hope this Talisman continues this great tradition, and indeed, has the unique appeal to attract a clientele which has a weak spot for the elegance and "chic" of these noble Gallic limousines, which they find back in this Talisman.

The dashboard sports a 7 inch digital screen, and has an R-Link2 setup with a 8,7 inch display. It also has a coloured head up display and of course a Bose surround sound system.

Hands-free parking is built in, as is Renault's so-called "Multi Sense" technology to enhance driving pleasure. Four wheel steering, dubbed officially "4Control", combines this feature with electronic damping control and custom setup possibilities, guaranteeing this unique agility and handling a "Grande Routiére" is justifiedly famous for, noblesse oblige...

Renault will build this car in its French Douai factory, and also promises impeccable finish and build quality, together with excellent quality of the used materials and a deep, rich, noble colour palette.

We sincerely wish Renault succes with this limousine, how we wish that the French manufacturers, who have build up in the twenties such a fantastic tradition of building breathtaking, powerful and majestic limousines, like for instance Renault with its Reinastella series, find with these contemporary products again the way to this discerning clientele, who appreciated these vehicles for their unique qualities, and that the pick up this tradition of building these noble, timelessly impressive machines...

We are eagerly awaiting to see the car "in the flesh" on the next Frankfurt show, and to lay our hands on one...

Stay tuned for further news on this front!

Hans Knol ten Bensel