Gulf Partner: Renault's Persian-market, Maxima-based Safrane
Click above to view the Renault Safrane in high resolution
The Persian Gulf is fast becoming a demanding market for luxury automobiles. So demanding, in fact, that some automakers have begun creating special models just for consumption there. Just days ago we brought you news that Rolls-Royce, having already shipped a golden Drophead Coupe for one special customer, was launching a limited edition Phantom saloon called the Peony edition.
This, however, is not a special Rolls-Royce. We won't list all the ways in which it isn't a Roller, but will save your time and ours by listing instead what it shares in common. It's a luxury sedan, and it's made specially to be engulfed by the Gulf market. That's about it. The Safrane nameplate was previously used for Renault's lackluster flagship sedan, replaced by the reviled Vel Satis in 2000. So what is this exactly that has revived the name? A rebadged Samsung SM5, essentially. That vehicle is produced in an 80.1% Renault-owned joint venture in South Korea. If you're noticing some similarities with our own Nissan Maxima, you've got a keen eye, as it shares its platform with the last-gen Maxima as well as the Nissan Teana (itself available only in the Asian market).
Unless you live in Dubai, you probably won't be seeing one of these any time soon, but you can check it out in the gallery below.
Gallery: Renault Safrane
[Source: Renault via CarScoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John R 8:44AM (8/28/2008)
To think I thought Toyota had cornered the market on blah. This thing might induce drive-by narcolepsy.
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Bluestreak 8:51AM (8/28/2008)
Agreed, though it's arguably better looking than the new Maxima.
Crackberry Addict 11:44AM (8/28/2008)
are you blind?? this thing is bland and ugly compared to the new maxima! if you haven't seen it in person then dont talk!
Bluestreak 12:54PM (8/28/2008)
I agreed with John R that the Safrane is "blah", I was just sorely disappointed in the look of the new Maxima, which I felt took a few too many cues from the Toyota Avalon. The headlights are an apparent attempt at being different, but end up looking contrived. I'm a huge fan of big brother G35, but the Maxima has let me down for the past few years.
Alex E. 3:28AM (8/29/2008)
I've read the various remarks above - perhaps I can help. Essentially, this car IS the previous-generation Nissan Teana. It was designed for the JDM with conservative tastes in mind, so no need to bash the yawn-inducing styling. It was brought to Korea by Renault Samsung/Nissan as the SM5; the SM7 is essentially a higher trim level with a bigger chrome grille and a bigger engine, etc. The Nissan Teana has now been replaced in the Japanese market, but the SM5/SM7 was merely given a facelift, given its more recent introduction here. Regardless, this car and its brethren are on their way out - Renault Samsung has announced plans to shift all of their products to Renault platforms, allegedly by the end of 2009, according to some sources (though that seems a bit soon to me, given the recent SM5 facelift). This makes perfect sense, as Nissan has a global market presence, while Renault is virtually absent from the Asian market. Hence, we can imagine that Renault Samsung will be able to export their cars across Asia as sort of Asianized Renaults (e.g. - sedan versions rather than hatchbacks, adventurous Euro styling cues toned down to suit more conservative Asian tastes).
cirquo 8:48AM (8/28/2008)
It is very inetresting how the rebadging of platforms can bring new life in another market. This is will bring the $$$ for the car companies. The car manufacturers who embrace this business model will be successful on a global level. Look at VW at the high end perspective: VW:AUDI,BENTLEY,LAMBORGHINI,BUGATTI. They all have styling cues from one another. It works well when the technology is shared across the board. Mercedes dumped the technology from the S-Class into the new C-Class to generate more sales. It worked. There are more of the C-Class on the street lately than Japanese brands. This will work.
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Skelbagz 8:58AM (8/28/2008)
meh. Renault have started making some really boring looking cars recently. I doubt people will be queuing up for this thing.
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Alex 9:46AM (8/28/2008)
it has a bit of Chevrolet Impala and Nissan Maxima to it
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Jihache 6:51PM (10/03/2008)
In fact, this car is a relifting of the Renault-Samsung SM7, which has been developped by Renault-Samsung Motor on a basis of SM5, which has been developped in narrow collaboration with Nissan on a basis of Nissan Maxima.
RSM is a Korean company now 100% owned by Renault, but who has had a technical support of Nissan when it was a brand of the Samsung Group.
Monugs 9:11AM (8/28/2008)
Why does it look like a freakin Impala? Gimme the Maxima....
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geo.stewart 9:26AM (8/28/2008)
interesting. most carmakers would take an old platform and move it downstream (read old Audi A4 as new SEAT) but Carlos? no, lets take an old midmarket platform and move it up to a luxury class.
If Renault can really pull this off, my a$shat's off to Ghosn.
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Kevin W. 9:35AM (8/28/2008)
That's not a Maxima, that's a Teana.
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Samurai Jack 9:45AM (8/28/2008)
Um, doesn't "the Persian market" actually equates to Iran?
Yes, I know what you really mean. It's just that you're saying something else...
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Andrew 6:09PM (8/28/2008)
No, it says the Persian *Gulf* market meaning all the countries around the gulf including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman.
Za 9:46PM (8/28/2008)
The Samurai's right Andrew. The title at the time of this posting says "Persian market" which means Iran. Not the Gulf states. If it said "Gulf states" or "Persian Gulf" market, it would be different.
Thanks for playing. I suggest though, that when you try to correct someone, you know what you are talking about.
pippin4652 7:01AM (8/30/2008)
er, the article actually mentions the Persian Gulf and Dubai, so Andrew is right. They obviously wouldnt sell it in one country.
Thnaks for playing za, but if you want to correct someone, i suggest you read the whole article rather than just the title
Arash 10:43AM (8/28/2008)
I live in Dubai... This car won't even sell here.
The car is made for the Iran market as they have ties with Renault, Hyundai and Mazda to name a few.
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Hot_Carl 10:39AM (8/28/2008)
I would love to roll up to Club Perj in one of these!
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SPG 11:02AM (8/28/2008)
The Club Perj edition even has the blue carpeting.
XLR8 10:52AM (8/28/2008)
how come there's no info on the powertrain? it's either a SM5 or could be a SM7.. they're basically the same car here in korea. the two are just seperated by different bumbers grills and etc. including engine. the exterior of the safrane for the gcc is a SM5(which was facelifted in July 2007), while the powertrain and the interior are from SM7(glossy wood grains and V6 2.3 170hp, 5AT) oh by the way SM5 doesn't have dual exhaust while safrane has em even tho it has looks of SM5
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