This car will show itself in more ways than remarkable. Of course, there is first to mention its futuristic appearance. An absolutely bold design, and moreover for the more conservative counted customers of the upper middle class. From the belt line upwards would have looked good this ensemble of glass, aluminum impression and plastic in enlarged form also at an appropriate building.

This should be a coupe? After all, it only has two doors that are sufficiently large and still does not take away the appropriate spot by an ingenious opening mechanism. If Renault already do not score points with conventional upper-class technique, then at least with avant-garde.

So many successes the company has achieved in the other categories. With the great name of once it has developed after the Second World War from humble beginnings from the rear engine towards one of the leading representatives of front drive in the car middle class. Practical vehicles with a large tailgate are created here.

With the Espace (French: 'space') one even moved a step further. And now it all comes together in the Avantime. The rear reminds a little of the current Megane, also a construction that causes stir. The interior is slightly antiseptic, maybe already the first key to failure. But that alone explains it in any case.Let's come to the next aspect, because the Avantime is designed and built by Matra. That is the company that in many other business areas, such as the arms deal is successful and the automobile construction of Rene Bonnet bought up in 1965, the built-in the first mid-engine in normal road sports cars. The car division of Matra will always be innovative but also pushed around a little in the by the state autocratic governed French car industry.

After an liaison with the Chrysler Group, Matra is finally added to Renault where one takes advantage of the experiences with steel frame and GRP. The product is called Espace and is successful, unlike almost all Matra products. Also, the Avantime is built on a chassis of the Espace. Success, however, means that the number of units increase and one returns back to full metal.

Too bad for the company Matra, which of course can not live only from a model like the Avantime, especially since the design courage is not appreciated by the eligible buyers. The result is sobering. The production is set after two years and the Matra division is sold to Pininfarina in 2003 and 2009 to Segula Technologies. 08/13