Safrane Biturbo
Discussion
groomi said:
I believe Damon Hill used to have one as his daily - not sure what that says, but it's a cool story Bro...
Was it ever available in the UK?The safety car at the 1995 British Grand Prix was a Safrane Biturbo. It was one of the last races before Mercedes-Benz became the official supplier.
ralphrj said:
groomi said:
I believe Damon Hill used to have one as his daily - not sure what that says, but it's a cool story Bro...
Was it ever available in the UK?The safety car at the 1995 British Grand Prix was a Safrane Biturbo. It was one of the last races before Mercedes-Benz became the official supplier.
The sales manager always used it as his company car. As a junior sales exec I was in Meganes usually, but one Sunday the Safrane was on site due to its driver's over-indulgence the night before. A customer rocked up and asked for a test drive, which I allowed. On return the said thank you but it wasn't for them, but did feed back that there was a rattle somewhere in the suspension. I took it upon myself to investigate further and used the car for the night. No rattle could be heard.
Monday morning's sales meeting was quiet as the manager hadn't turned up. Assuming he was still hungover from Saturday night we carried on as usual. By day's end he still hadn't turned up, so I took the Safrane again.
Tuesday morning we were all summoned into the office to be told the sales manager had been dismissed. I ended up using the Safrane for a couple of months, until someone else sold it. Lovely old boat to drive, if a bit slow being only a 2.0. Great seats and fantastic rear legroom.
Edited by Turbobanana on Thursday 16th October 15:26
My Dad had a Safrane when I was a kid, sadly only the 2.2 V6, but to younger me it was very cool - it made a nicer noise than most peoples family cars (but in the grand scheme of things wasn't a special engine really), it looked very handsome at the time and it would even talk to you like KITT from Knight Rider 
Plus it felt very plush inside with heated leather front and rear etc. It was, however, massively unreliable sadly, but we had some good family trips in it and ultimately I think it played a role in my love of slightly unusual French cars!
Plus it felt very plush inside with heated leather front and rear etc. It was, however, massively unreliable sadly, but we had some good family trips in it and ultimately I think it played a role in my love of slightly unusual French cars! Burny16v said:
My Dad had a Safrane when I was a kid, sadly only the 2.2 V6, but to younger me it was very cool - it made a nicer noise than most peoples family cars (but in the grand scheme of things wasn't a special engine really), it looked very handsome at the time and it would even talk to you like KITT from Knight Rider Plus it felt very plush inside with heated leather front and rear etc. It was, however, massively unreliable sadly, but we had some good family trips in it and ultimately I think it played a role in my love of slightly unusual French cars!
V6 models were 2.9 / 3.0, depending on whether you round up or down: 2946 / 2963cc. The 2.2 was an 8 or 12v inline 4. Or a diesel. Plus it felt very plush inside with heated leather front and rear etc. It was, however, massively unreliable sadly, but we had some good family trips in it and ultimately I think it played a role in my love of slightly unusual French cars! [quote=ThingsBehindTheSun]
And that he was Jealous that Nigel Mansell was given a Testarossa and an F40 when he drove for Ferrari and he got a Renault Safrane . It is said, though it could be an urban myth ,that Damon Hill was pulled over for doing 144 in it on the M40. Renault were delighted as the official top speed was 141. Apologies in advance, but the cop probably said ‘ Who do you think you are, Sterling Moss?’ Response: ‘Graham Hill’ The cop ‘ oh, er, drive carefully, sir, Good Afternoon.”
And that he was Jealous that Nigel Mansell was given a Testarossa and an F40 when he drove for Ferrari and he got a Renault Safrane . It is said, though it could be an urban myth ,that Damon Hill was pulled over for doing 144 in it on the M40. Renault were delighted as the official top speed was 141. Apologies in advance, but the cop probably said ‘ Who do you think you are, Sterling Moss?’ Response: ‘Graham Hill’ The cop ‘ oh, er, drive carefully, sir, Good Afternoon.”
Edited by Lester H on Saturday 1st November 13:46
Forums | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff