Renault Vel Satis guru Oliver Hammond piqued my attention via Twitter a while ago because of his efforts in building up a VelSat community.
His Vel Satis forum site is ever-more popular and it remains a curio I dip into regularly, not least to see what’s up for sale and whether prices have finally dropped down to a level that would warrant an impulse purchase (not yet).
And why my fasciation with the failed French 5 Series rival? Because of a happy week back in 2002, when I took one down to Newquay for a week’s holiday. Quite something for a still-green writer back then, stymied by the 25-and-over insurance rules of many press offices. Renault was one exception. Bingo: the keycard to a Vel Satis 3.0 V6 dCi Initiale was mine for a week.
Memories? Mainly of its might. A big car, is the Vel Satis, accentuated by its outlandish design and super-bold le Quement detailing. Like the MkII Megane, it’s dating now, but there’s still no denying its presence – back then, resplendent in road test dark green, it looked amazing. Every inch the epitome of avant-garde French executive travel.
If anything, it felt even bigger from the inside. The huge seats were mounted very high atop their electric multi-adjust motors, whose variability even extended to a split seatback – the upper half could be raked independently to the lower. On the 300-mile trek to Newquay, this gave me no end of entertainment.
It was a distraction from all the glances I got. Seriously, everyone (so it felt) looked at us. I’d never driven anything that was such a headturner and, even now, few things have roused so much attention on the road. The Vel Satis was amazing, so it seemed: a pink Ferrari would have roused less attention.
Luckily, we were cocooned from it within, savouring the Makintosh-style wood trim and details, decent in-car audio quality and the surge of the big diesel. Something this easy and torquey was still a refreshingly new experience for me back then, and the satisfaction I felt remains clear in my mind. My love of torque may even have been cemented on that trip.
It wasn’t perfect. The ride could be taut, trim could creak in sympathy and lifeless steering certainly didn’t help pilot the big beast round Cornwall’s narrow streets. But I still loved it – still love it. The MSN Cars Renault Vel Satis road test talks about the minutiae, but the general vibe was positive.
Yes, it bombed, but it wasn’t through lack of character which, as a result, certainly infused goodwill amongst a loyal few. Still does, too: so, power to you, Oliver. Give me a shout when a cheap dCi V6 turns up, won’t you..?
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Hi Richard,
After having enjoyed being in email and Twitter contact with you over the last year, often related to the Vel Satis, I was delighted to read your latest piece on it, harking back to your 2002 week in Newquay with the 3 litre. They do indeed look great in the dark green. One of our Vel Satis Owners Club members has named his dark green 3.0 Babette – say no more… And as you say, the car certainly does turn heads.
I will certainly keep you informed of any cheap 3.0s and it’s good to know that you often check our Vel Satis classifieds.
Cheers again. Best wishes,
Oliver
Thanks for the comments, Oliver! Was a special motoring week and will long remain in the memory.
Rest assured too, I’ll be a regular visitor to your fine site. Keep up the good work and let’s keep the mighty Vel’s spirit alive!
R
Hi Richard.
I was directed to your site by Oliver H who does such a great job promoting the Renault Vel Satis.
I do like your article and would agree with you on the steering.
I was driving back from Wetherby at the weekend on the A1. There are some serious lorry ruts on this road and with Babette being a big girl in the tyre department she did ike to follow them.
I would seriously encourage you to buy a Vel Satis. They are a superb car and you get so much for so little money.
There is nothing better than cruising down the motorway in a 3.0ltr V6 knowing that your getting over 40 mpg. Plus a little blip on the throttle and you are in hyperdrive. My son in law has dubbed Babette “The Death Star” from Starwars.
Regards Colin.
Hi Richard.
Oliver from the VS club, who does a superb job promoting the Renault Vel Satis, pointed me to your website.
I would have to agree with you with regard to your comment on the steering. I was returning from Wetherby after New Year travelling down the A1. Now there are some serious ruts caused by lorries on this road and with Babette being rather large in the tyre department she did like to follow them.
You will sucumb to buying a VS eventully. Why buy a small car when you can happily cruise along the motorway in a comfortable 3 ltr V6 at 70mph and know your getting over 40mpg. Plus a quick blip of the throttle and you are in hyperdrive and can leave that BMW, tailgating you, eating your dust!!
They are such a lot of car for so little money.
Get one now before the beardy brigade outlaw anything that doesn’t run on carrot juice.
Thanks for your thoughts, Colin. You’re right: one day, I may well succumb! My eyes will be kept peeled…