Renault - Matra Avantime.............the History
The story begins back in 1963 when Matra took control of a small vehicle manufacturer René Bonnet. Bonnet, with Matra had been producing the D'Jet which was constructed using a steel chassis and fibreglass panels. Production of the D'Jet continued in various forms until 1967 when Matra released the M530A. Around this time Matra started working closely with engineers from Simca (Part of the Chrysler Group) to further develop their innovative vehicle construction method. Continuing with the steel spaceframe, the bonded body panel technology was improved to give higher strength and resilience using polyester based resins in manufacture, the Matra Bagheera laid the foundations for the construction of a series of vehicles using this technique.
Matra had been developing a multi-purpose vehicle to be powered by Talbot engines but was left having to fend for itself following the demise of Chrysler Europe in 1978. Renault, showing great foresight, recognised the potential of the MPV concept and contracted Matra to produce the new vehicle under the Renault name. The Matra P11 as it was known was originally designed as a replacement for the reasonably successful Talbot Rancho and the styling was remeniscent of previous Chrysler designs. Renault introduced it to market in 1983, virtually unchanged, as the Renault Espace .
The first three generations of Renault Espace were built by Matra for Renault but as the MPV market grew, Renault realised that the increasing sales warranted a change to in-house manufacture of the next generation of Espace. Perhaps by way of compensation Matra was commissioned by Renault to produce a totally new concept based on their existing technology. The Renault Avantime from the French "Avant" meaning ahead and the English "Time" was born.
Avantime was indeed way ahead of it's time. However delays in the launch caused by design and approval problems (In particular the double hinged, pillar-less doors) meant the launch was way behind schedule. As a result Renault decided to launch the Vel Satis, based on the Espace IV floor pan, the Vel Satis had been developed as a possible replacement for the Safrane.
The Avantime and Vel Satis were released around the same time and for obvious reasons Renault concentrated sales on it's own design, the Vel Satis. Coupled with the fact that the Avantime target market (the young executive family man) probably perceived the Avantime design as too radical, Avantime sales were poor. Production of Avantime ceased after only ten months and Matra tried to form an alliance with MG Rover who were the only manufacturer that did not have an MPV in it's range at the time. Talks collapsed at the final hurdle and the Matra factory in Romarantin closed in 2003.
Since the introduction and eventual acceptance of more recent vehicles that followed the design lead set by Avantime, the car has gained popularity. Even in the UK, Avantime is beginning to earn it's place as a classic design icon.