Welcome to the top of the Renault range: the new Talisman sedan. This fresh D-segment saloon is a larger and more plush big brother to the awkward Laguna — promising world-class comfort, design, luxury and technology. All with a completely fresh design and dimensions to compete with the BMW 5 series. A total length of 4.85-metres is fairly gigantic for a front-drive luxury sedan in France.

As the segment’s built-in government and livery driver pool looks to Germany for their fleets, the large car market in France is fairly depressed and likely to continue deteriorating. As the Citroen C6 and others have bowed out completely, Renault appears to be doubling down by going larger and more plush in a quest to stay in the consideration set.

This makes sense when you think of the world market for limos — which is exploding with Chinese buyers even as France’s domestic market retreats. China and other world markets are a prime opportunity for large French limos. Why? These buyers do not mind small four-cylinder engines or front-drive layouts. In fact, they might even prefer this somewhat downmarket setup to the big, rear-drive V8s of the German and English luxury staples.

The Talisman Initiale Paris is expected to make up nearly half of the mix for this new model, with an exclusive super black paintwork and other lux details to set it apart from the pack. Special 19-inch wheels and unique Initiale Paris badges front and rear are exclusive to this top trimline.

In terms of the vehicle’s design, is it a tough one to evaluate based on these digital renderings. We’ll reserve judgment until some real photos materialize.

Overall, however, there are great changes versus the Laguna — including a far lower, longer and wider overall style. This is a big change versus the stunted and odd, chopped hatchback appearance of the Laguna 5-door and sedan.

We love the new C-shaped white LEDs in front — a cool style that cuts into the top edges of the bumper with this DRL element. In back, similarly chic red LEDs form pinched horizontal rectangles toward the edges of the trunk. This light element flows into the center of the trunk near the badge in a contemporary, premium look. It recalls the latest Lincoln Continental Concept as well as the Audi Prologue concepts — yet beats both the market in production form.

The Talisman is likely to replace the Laguna completely within a year of its arrival to buyers (estimated in late 2015). The new name and scale of the Talisman make the current Laguna Coupe seem less likely for replacement than the Laguna Estate — which is likely to find new life as a long-roof wagon version of the Talisman.

 

 2016 Renault Talisman

 

 

THE TALISMAN

Renault’s new saloon packs style and real driving enjoyment

Renault is proud to reveal its new executive saloon.

The evocatively named TALISMAN ticks all the boxes that D-segment customers have come to appreciate, while taking wellbeing and driving enjoyment to a new level.

The Renault TALISMAN features a unique combination of:

 

• Assertive styling: sleek, elegant lines.

• A warm, spacious cabin: ample room for all occupants and front seats among the very best in the TALISMAN’s class, plus an impressively big boot (608dm3 VDA).

• Comfort-enhancing innovations: a seven-inch digital instrument display under the dashboard cowling, R-Link2 with 8.7-inch screen, colour head-up display technology, BOSE^® Surround Sound and hands-free parking.

• Innovations for intense enjoyment: Multi-Sense technology to match the mood of the driver. The TALISMAN is the only D-segment saloon car to combine 4Control^® four-wheel steering with active damping, allowing it to deliver unique road manners, plus safe, dynamic, agile handling, and outstanding ride comfort.

 

All these innovations combine to make the TALISMAN an executive saloon that will appeal not only thanks to its styling but also through a pleasurable experience for both drivers and passengers alike.

The TALISMAN is built to the very highest quality standards and meticulous attention has been paid to every detail, including, notably, the depth and lustre of its paint.

Low running costs, plus low fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions also figure prominently amongst the TALISMAN’s core strengths.

The Renault TALISMAN, together with the Estate version – which features the same qualities as the saloon – is poised to play an active part in the renewal and upgrading of Renault’s high-end range. Both vehicles will be manufactured at the firm’s Douai plant in France.

Following its unveil to the media on July 6, 2015, the Renault TALISMAN – along with the Estate version – will be presented at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, which opens its gates to the public on September 17.

 

The TALISMAN will be available for sale in Europe at the end of the year.

A name that embodies the strengths of Renault’s saloon

Renault selects names for its models that symbolise their design and personality across all markets where they are sold.

True to this tradition, the TALISMAN has been given a charismatic name that conjures up notions of both protection and power. At the same time, TALISMAN is an easy word to pronounce and is understood the world over.

This three-syllable name rolls easily and naturally off the tongue, yet it asserts the model’s powerful personality and the energy it radiates. The combination of the model’s strong, racy lines and innovative technologies express protection and safety.

 

The TALISMAN delivers intense driving enjoyment grounded in a genuinely sensorial experience.

The TALISMAN, a saloon with a unique blend of sensuality and state-of-the-art comfort

“We are proud to be unveiling the TALISMAN, Renault’s new four-door saloon. The TALISMAN is generous in its exterior proportions, in its cabin space and in the passenger comfort it offers. It stands out from the competition with its confident front end, its graceful tail and muscular flanks. Whichever angle you view it from, it looks ready to pounce. We designed it with passion so that its drivers feel proud.“

Laurens van den Acker – Senior Vice President, Corporate Design, Renault

 

Vibrant, assertive styling

Saloon car essentials

 

For the TALISMAN, Renault designers opted for a three-box body style. The saloon layout – with a distinct boot – picks up on the universally accepted design practice for this type of car, whilst simultaneously blending

Renault’s warm and friendly DNA into the mix.

To reinterpret the rulebook, Renault’s designers went back to basics to establish the ideal proportions and perfect balance between the different volumes. An overall length of 4.85 metres and a width of 1.87 metres endows the TALISMAN with a generous footprint that is beneficial to interior space and underscores the distinguished apperance expected of a car of this stature.

Renault’s designers and engineers worked closely together to keep the roof height to just 1.46 metres and to control ground clearance. They also achieved the ideal one-third / two-thirds ratio between the glazed areas and body panels, plus a 2.81 metres long wheelbase. The long bonnet adds dynamism to the TALISMAN’s profile, and the large diameter wheels (up to 19-inches) are a snug fit within their sculpted arches.

 

Sleek styling

 

The TALISMAN is powerful and inspires confidence from the front with its distinctive chrome grille featuring the brand’s upright diamond logo. Renault’s new visual signature continues through the TALISMAN’s C-shaped daytime running lights, which extend right down to the bumper. Depending on the version, the TALISMAN can be equipped with 100% ‘pure vision’ LED headlights.

The side profile is enhanced by the dynamic shape of the third side window, evoking the world of luxury limousines and the visual promise of generous space inside. The use of chrome underscores the elegance of

 

the TALISMAN’s silhouette, with a strip running the perimeter of the side windows and another on the moulding that straddles the front wing and door. This arrow-shaped feature taps into the design language of sporting cars to suggest performance and aerodynamic efficiency.

The low, broad-shouldered rear incorporates distinctive tail light clusters that extend inwards towards the centreline of the boot. Their elongated shape underscores the car’s grounded stance while drawing attention to the Renault logo. 3D-effect lighting provides the TALISMAN with a powerful visual signature. These lights are always switched on – even during the daytime – to further reinforce their visual impact.

 

 

“If you please… draw me a saloon.”

Alexis Martot, exterior designer of the TALISMAN, took great pleasure in fine-tuning the balance of the vehicle. “My chief priority was to make sure the car had all the right fundamentals in terms of its proportions, the ratio of glazed areas to sheet metal and wheel size. The next task was to ensure that the TALISMAN always looked natural and balanced when seen from any angle. In this type of exercise there will inevitably be areas where compromises have to be made: while it is important to ‘stretch the lines’ in order to give the body a well-planted stance in both length and width to visually lower the roofline, it is absolutely out of the question to do this if it impinges

 

on occupant accommodation or headroom. On a large family vehicle like this, it is also essential to recognise that buyers expect a large boot. Yet we need to avoid the ‘backpack’ effect. In other words, we must ensure that the rear boot section is neither too tall nor too dominant in order to ensure a balanced impression. The lines must ‘tuck in’ at the back to achieve the desired elegance, but not excessively. And while the TALISMAN’s lines are sleek, we took great care to ensure it isn’t pitched too steeply forward merely to accentuate the dynamic effect.” Balance, but without clever tricks.

 

Elegant colours and wheels

 

The Renault TALISMAN offers a choice of ten body colours:

 

– Nine metallic finishes: Pearlescent White, Dune Beige, Cosmos Blue, Vison Brown*, Cassiopée Grey, Platine

 

Grey, Etoilé Black, Carmin Red*, Améthyste Black (Initiale Paris versions). – One non-metallic finish: Glacier White.

 

All paint options feature a high-durability lacquer coat providing added lustre and a higher level of resistance.

Five alloy wheel designs (depending on the market): 16-inch Sequence wheels, 17-inch Bayadere wheels, 18-inch Erbé Grey diamond-effect Duetto wheels, 19-inch Erbé Grey diamond-effect Alizarine wheels and 19-inch black Initiale Paris diamond-effect wheels.

 

An interior that blends warmth, clean lines and quality

 

Reinterpreting classical design cues to reflect the themes of the exterior styling, Renault’s designers conceived an interior that is welcoming and high in quality.

Visually, the cabin is divided into three horizontal planes which serve to structure the space within the vehicle.

The areas closest to the occupants feature an inviting, soft-to-the-touch trim. Elements that are further away are deliberately treated in a ‘cooler’ manner in terms of colours and materials. This contrast contributes to the impression of space. Lastly, the combination of particular colours and a variety of different materials creates different interior ambiences.

Painstaking attention and imaginative solutions were applied to the TALISMAN’s ergonomics and design, even down to the padding and trim of its interior components.

“Every single part needs to be beautifully designed”

 

When examining the TALISMAN’s interior, the gaze is met by a warmly-appointed, timeless cabin. “I wanted the lines of the interior to be as fluid as possible. This is something I wanted to be immediately apparent. But I also wanted a more detailed examination to reveal the harmony that reigns right down to the details,” notes the TALISMAN’s interior designer, Nicolas Dortindeguey. “I therefore designed the parts and paid attention to the overall finish so that everything fitted together naturally and coherently. I made a point of designing every detail individually so that each one was beautiful in its own way. I hope this will lead not only to people falling for the car at first sight but also to their being satisfied with the car’s user-friendliness over time.”

 

 

 

On-board refinement: a roomy interior, welcoming seats and supreme comfort

 

The TALISMAN has many strengths that support its bid to distil a unique impression of comfort and wellbeing thanks to its generously dimensioned, welcoming interior.

 

The TALISMAN stands out among the best cars in its class in terms of cabin space and all-round stowage capacity

 

The TALISMAN was carefully thought through to ensure the wellbeing of the driver and occupants alike and its cabin is among the roomiest in its class, notably in three areas:

 

• Front and rear headroom: the height from the seat cushion to the roof is 902mm at the front and 855mm at the rear.

 

• Front elbow room.

 

• Rear knee room: 262mm – amongst the very best in the TALISMAN’s segment.

 

The wide centre console contributes further to this impression of space and width by positioning the front occupants at an appreciable distance from each other. The console itself is pleasant to the touch and carefully finished.

 

With more than 25 litres of stowage space around the cabin, the TALISMAN figures among the very best in its class in this respect, including:

 

• Generous glove box: 8 litres,

 

• Door bins: 4.6 litres at the front (accommodates a 1½-litre bottle) and two litres at the back,

 

• Practical cup holders,

 

• Judicious stowage space beneath the central armrest with a chilled compartment (versions equipped with

 

EDC transmission) capable of holding a half-litre bottle or a 33cl can,

 

• A bespoke tray for the front passenger to stash their smartphone or keys.

 

Meanwhile, the boot capacity of 608dm3 (VDA) is one of the segment’s biggest, making it ideal for family use… and more, since it can accommodate up to four golf bags.

 

A personal welcome and comfort

 

When the key card holder approaches, the Daytime Running Lights, rear lights and the interior roof light come on, while the door mirrors deploy and down lights illuminate the area around the door. When the driver opens the door, he or she is welcomed by an audible and visual animation on the display. Meanwhile, the seat automatically slides back 50mm (versions with electric seats) to facilitate ingress. Once the driver is seated, it returns to its original position.

 

In addition to this personal welcome, the TALISMAN’s wide front seats, designed with airline business class seats in mind, combine two important new features:

 

• In a world first, the front seat backs incorporate Cover

 

Carving Technology which takes the form of a semi-rigid, resistant, flexible and lightweight shell. This ingenious

Renault innovation provides designers with additional freedom, adds to the impression of quality, frees up space (extra 3cm knee room at the rear) and weighs 1kg less than a conventional plastic seat back shell.

 

• Integrated ventilation for greater comfort in hot weather.

 

 

Furthermore, TALISMAN’s front seats benefit from:

 

• Generous dimensions and a stylish design,

 

• Up to 10 possible adjustments (eight electrically, two manually),

 

• Four-position electric lumbar adjustment (height/ depth),

 

• Aviation-style six-way adjustable headrests,

 

• Heated cushions and backs,

 

• Massage function (adjustable intensity: two programmes/ five sequences),

 

• Settings memory for up to six individual profiles.

 

The low seat cushion position ensures a comfortable, dynamic driving experience while freeing up appreciable headroom.

 

The rear three-person bench seat comes with variable density mousse to pamper rear passengers. The 60/40-split bench has a hatch to enable skis to be carried. The two outer seats are equipped with a rotating headrest, which can be retracted and turned to free up the driver’s rearward line of sight.

 

 

Five interior ambiences

 

The Renault TALISMAN offers a choice of five interior ambiences and trim associated with different equipment levels (ambiences may vary depending on market).

 

There are three interior trims and five equipment levels:

 

LIFE: black dashboard, leather-trimmed steering wheel and black fabric seats inspired by men’s tailoring. ZEN: same ambience as the Life equipment level but with lighter-coloured trim strips.

BUSINESS: same ambience as the Zen equipment level but with additional equipment.

INTENS: combined fabric/ semi leather seats, or optional dark brown or black Riviera leather upholstery and matching dashboard. Chocolate brown top-stitching.

INITIALE PARIS: black or sand grey dashboard with dark charcoal or silver top-stitching, Nappa full-grain leather upholstery in a graded grey pattern or solid black, and Nappa leather-trimmed steering wheel.

 

An Initiale Paris signature version of the TALISMAN

Following in the footsteps of the CLIO and the new ESPACE, the TALISMAN is the latest model to benefit from the Initiale Paris trim level, which is synonymous with the very best that Renault has to offer in the realms of wellbeing and service.

 

Exclusive exterior styling features

• Exclusive Améthyste Black metallic paint, in addition to the other available colours,

• Specific 19-inch wheels,

• Specific badging at the front (beneath the Renault logo) and at the rear in place of the TALISMAN badge.

 

Painstaking attention paid to interior comfort

 

• Nappa full-grain leather upholstery in either black or grey gradient,

• Enveloping ‘Relax’ front headrests,

• Exclusive Nappa leather-trimmed steering wheel,

• Dashboard with top-stitching,

• Heated, massaging front seats with 10-way adjustment (eight of which are electric),

• Laminated side windows for improved acoustic comfort,

• Initiale Paris badging inside on the door sills, steering wheel insert, top of the front seat backs (embossed) and decorative trim on the back of the front headrests,

• Exclusive carpet mats,

• Specific Initiale Paris hands-free card,

• Door mirrors angled downwards when reverse gear is engaged.

 

Comprehensive, welcoming service

 

• A dedicated call centre designed to provide constructive, tailored responses to requests for assistance and capable of making appointments within 24 hours for test drives, servicing and assistance with connected services,

• A dedicated area in showrooms,

• A unique range of optional services aimed at simplifying life on board.

Innovations that heighten travelling comfort

 

A comprehensive, user-friendly multimedia experience

 

The TALISMAN comes with three types of multimedia equipment.

The entry level TALISMAN is equipped with a car radio featuring a 4.2-inch (11cm) display. Depending on the market, this digital radio offers flawless reception and CD quality sound. The signal also carries information in text format, such as a description of what is playing, weather and traffic updates, latest news, etc.

In the case of the intermediate equipment levels, the TALISMAN comes with the R-Link 2 connected multimedia tablet, with a seven-inch (18cm) landscape format display and Bose Surround Sound.

The high-end equipment level comes with R-Link 2 complete with an 8.7-inch (22cm) portrait format display.

 

R-Link 2, the TALISMAN’s connected control centre

Along with the functions and ergonomics developed specifically for in-car use, the Renault R-Link 2 connected tablet comes with either a seven-inch landscape format or 8.7-inch portrait display. The latter is a first in the

TALISMAN’s class.

 

High-tech

• A fully integrated, sensitive capacitive (pinch & zoom) touch screen display,

• Uncluttered, intuitive graphics, carefully designed for in-car use.

 

Intuitive

 

• R-Link 2 functions like a personal tablet, and boasts the same tactile qualities: two-finger zoom, page scrolling, drag-and-drop…

• A realistic navigation display (3D representation of buildings with the 8.7-inch version),

• R-Link 2 has been tailored for in-car use, with voice commands (navigation, phone, apps and media), text message display and the reading aloud of e-mails via an app,

• Bluetooth® connectivity allows for hands-free calls and wireless music streaming,

• Numerous connection and charging possibilities are available for all occupants.

 

Under control

• R-Link 2 oversees the vehicle’s driving aids as well as all of the standard duties such as the navigation, audio and climate control functions. The touch screen display’s features are completed by shortcut buttons, a multi-function rotary control on the centre console and additional steering wheel-mounted controls.

 

Easily personalised

 

• The most popular and frequently used functions are always within arm’s reach, courtesy of a customisable home page based on widgets (icons).

• It is also easy for drivers to find – with just a single click – their pre-selected driving settings and in-car ambience preferences after saving the following preferences into a personalised profile:

• Language,

• Seating position (including the speed and intensity of massages) and door mirror position,

• Head-up display (height, brightness, attenuation),

• Favourite radio stations,

• Destinations in the navigation system,

• Lighting ambience (colour, intensity, contrast),

• Custom Multi-Sense modes.

 

Up to six different profiles can be saved, and it is also possible for drivers to make their profile private – a benefit that is particularly appreciated when sharing the wheel with other users.

 

Connected

• Through its R-Link Store, Renault offers a comprehensive catalogue of applications specifically developed for in-car use, including: Coyote® alerts, three Michelin applications (Hotels, Restaurants and Travel), fuel prices and the reading aloud of e-mails.

 

The TALISMAN benefits from tailor-engineered BOSE^® Surround Sound

 

The TALISMAN takes its occupants on a journey to the very heart of a music concert courtesy of its Bose^® Surround Sound system. The quality is such that the driver and passengers are completely immersed into an all-encompassing sound experience, hearing and appreciating every note and even every breath as if the artists themselves were on-board.

Bose and Renault pooled their expertise and collaborated with one another from the very earliest stage of the vehicle’s development to create a tailor-engineered audio system for the TALISMAN.

• Surround Sound: an immersive experience; the driver and passengers are enveloped by a rich, perfectly balanced sound, wherever in the vehicle they happen to be sitting.

• Thirteen high-performance loudspeakers, including two subwoofers, generating expansive and enveloping sound quality reminiscent of a ‘live’ performance.

• Centerpoint^® 2 Technology: Bose’s exclusive algorithm converts the signal from stereo sources into a multi-channel signal to create Surround Sound.

• Bose^® digital signal processor: bespoke equalisation, incorporating the TALISMAN’s own acoustic properties so as to flawlessly transmit every nuance of the music.

 

 

A comprehensive range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

• To reassure: adaptive cruise control, emergency active braking.

• To alert: lane departure warning, safe distance alert, traffic sign detection with excess speed warning, blind spot alert.

• To assist: reversing camera, automatic dipped and main beam headlights, head-up data display, electronic handbrake, hands-free boot, reversing camera and hands-free parking assist.

 

The promise of intense driving pleasure courtesy of Multi-Sense technology

Driving enjoyment is one of the key attributes expected of a large family saloon car. Thanks to its low-profile stance, with a centre of gravity and driving position that are close to the road, the TALISMAN has been honed to deliver real driving pleasure. Taking the spirit that prevailed in the design of the new ESPACE even further, Renault has employed all of its chassis and engine expertise to equip the TALISMAN with technological features and innovations that set it apart in its class.

A unique combination of 4Control technology and active damping

 

Once again, Renault stands out for its innovative flair in mating the 4Control system to electronic damper control in a manner that has never been seen before in a family saloon. This unique combination is responsible for generating driving pleasure, comfort and safety. Around town, the 4Control chassis – a genuine Renault speciality – ensures that the TALISMAN’s size is quickly forgotten by endowing it with extraordinary agility. Out on the open road, the TALISMAN’s cornering stability and safety when evasive action is required place Renault’s new saloon in a class of its own.

 

Personalised driving experience thanks to Multi-Sense technology

Like the new ESPACE, the TALISMAN is equipped with Multi-Sense technology. Its saloon car architecture enables it to extract even more of the benefits of this Renault innovation which make a real difference when it comes to driving enjoyment. Multi-Sense controls and co- ordinates the various technologies found in the TALISMAN to create an immersive driving experience. It is responsible for operating the 4Control system, active damping, steering, engine and EDC transmission. It also covers the instruments, engine sound and ambient lighting.

Thanks to this ingenious system, the TALISMAN provides access to its occupants’ desired mood in the form of four pre-programmed settings: Comfort, Sport, Eco and Neutral, plus a fully configurable Perso mode. It is as if the driver is benefiting from several cars all rolled into one.

 

Each of these very distinct settings creates and co-ordinates a specific driving emotion by adjusting:

• The engine response,

• The EDC transmission’s gearshift calibration,

• The degree of effort required to turn the steering wheel,

• The active damping settings,

• The configuration of the 4Control system.

 

At the same time, the in-car ambience is harmonised by adapting:

• The colour of the ambient lighting to the required mood (green, blue, sepia, red or purple),

• The presentation and colour of the information displayed by the instruments,

• The engine sound,

• The driver’s massaging seat, activated in Comfort mode,