Renault Safrane 1992–2000: How to Remove the Bumpers

Production Years and Facelift

The Renault Safrane is a luxury sedan produced by the French automaker from 1992 to 2000. The model was intended as a flagship, replacing the outdated Renault 25 and competing with cars like the Peugeot 605 and Citroën XM.

• First Generation (1992–1996) – Debuted with a modern design for its time, a spacious interior, and front-wheel or all-wheel drive (Biturbo version).
• Facelift (1996–2000) – The updated version featured a revised front end (new headlights and grille), a refined interior, and improved sound insulation. However, sales remained low, and production ended in 2000 without a direct successor.

 

Model Description

Design and Construction

The Safrane was designed as a comfortable business-class car. Its body featured smooth lines, aerodynamic shapes, and a high stance. The interior used high-quality materials, including leather, wood trim, and soft-touch plastics.

Technical Features

Engines:

• Petrol: 2.0 (110–140 HP), 2.5 V6 (168 HP), 3.0 V6 (170–194 HP), and a rare Biturbo version (268 HP) with all-wheel drive.
• Diesel: 2.1 TD (88 HP) and 2.5 TDI (129 HP).

Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.
Suspension: Independent, with a focus on comfort.

Equipment

Depending on the trim, the Safrane offered:

• Climate control
• Power accessories (windows, mirrors)
• Cruise control
• Leather upholstery
• Sunroof

 

Bumper Plastic Marking: >PP-EPDM<

---

Mounting points vary depending on the production year.

How to Remove the Front Bumper

1. Crawl under the car and unscrew the bolts securing the lower part of the front bumper to the underbody protection.
2. Turn the wheels to the side and remove the screws attaching the wheel liners to the bumper.
3. Push the wheel liners aside and unscrew the bolts securing the sides to the fenders. Also, release the clips holding the corners to the fenders.
4. With an assistant, pull the bumper forward off the guide brackets in the fenders.
5. Disconnect the power supply to the fog lights.

---

How to Remove the Rear Bumper

1. In the wheel arches, unscrew the bolts and free the wheel liners.
2. Fold the liners aside and remove one bolt on each side securing the bumper corners to the fenders.
3. From underneath, unscrew the bolts pointing upward.
4. Open the trunk lid.
5. Remove the rear panel trim.
6. Behind the trim, unscrew four bolts securing the bumper reinforcement to the body.
7. With an assistant, pull the bumper backward off the guide brackets in the fenders (watch for wiring).
8. Disconnect the electrical connectors.

---

Interesting Facts

• Safety – In 2005, the Modus received a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, which was rare for a car of its size.
• Design Experiments – The 2004 Modus concept featured a sliding door and an unusual panoramic roof, but these elements did not make it to production.
• Sport Version – In 2006, Renault released the Modus Renaultsport with a 2.0L engine (136 HP), but it did not gain popularity.

 

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Spacious interior – Well-thought-out layout and adjustable seats.
• Fuel efficiency – Especially with diesel engines (around 4.5 L/100 km).
• Good visibility – Thanks to the high seating position.

Cons:

• Weak acceleration – Even the 1.6L engine took 11 seconds to reach 100 km/h.
• Highway noise – The tall body increased aerodynamic noise.
• Material quality – Interior plastics scratched easily and looked cheap.

 

Conclusion

The Renault Safrane is a typical European luxury sedan of the 1990s: comfortable but not without flaws. Its main strengths were spaciousness and refinement, while its weak points included sales performance and a lack of a successor. Despite its discontinuation, the Safrane remains a notable chapter in Renault's history as an ambitious yet underappreciated flagship.