Renault’s first big, luxurious hatchback was made in this time with a V10 engine that was derived from an F1 race car.
Although the design may not be appealing to you, Renault created an attractive car that is high on space, power, and luxury.
French automakers are well-known for creating some of the most innovative concepts, and Renault’s Initiale is no exception. The Initiale was the brand’s vision for a flagship model. It was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 22 years ago. The Vel Satis was the first production car to be launched in 2002, but the Initiale lost most of its magic on the way to the assembly line.
The exterior styling is, should we say, daring. Although it won’t be remembered for being the most beautiful car to sport the diamond logo in history, the car’s form is still striking. The Initiale is impressive, with its extended hood and large panoramic glass roof, as well as the long rear doors with V-shaped windows and big rear hatch openings that open to reveal the Initiale.
Initiale, a 4.9-meter long vehicle, weighed in at a hefty 2,500kg (5.511 lbs). However, Renault claimed that the concept could reach a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h). How is that possible? Simple. Under the elongated hood, a V10 3.5-liter engine was hiding. It was borrowed from 1994 F1 cars Williams-Renault & Ligier-Renault. The unit produced 392 horsepower (292kW) and 360 Nm (265lb-ft) through this application. It was delivered to all four wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox.
Initiale had everything: F1 power, all of the luxury Renault could offer in mid-1990s, plenty of space inside the cabin — all wrapped in one unique package.