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 The model was intended as a flagship, replacing the outdated Renault 25 and competing with cars like the Peugeot 605 and Citroën XM.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
- Crawl under the car and unscrew the bolts securing the lower part of the front bumper to the underbody protection.
- Turn the wheels to the side and remove the screws attaching the wheel liners to the bumper.
- 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.
- With an assistant, pull the bumper forward off the guide brackets in the fenders.
- Disconnect the power supply to the fog lights.
How to Remove the Rear Bumper
- In the wheel arches, unscrew the bolts and free the wheel liners.
- Fold the liners aside and remove one bolt on each side securing the bumper corners to the fenders.
- From underneath, unscrew the bolts pointing upward.
- Open the trunk lid.
- Remove the rear panel trim.
- Behind the trim, unscrew four bolts securing the bumper reinforcement to the body.
- With an assistant, pull the bumper backward off the guide brackets in the fenders (watch for wiring).
- 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.