This series celebrates a selection of extra-special editions; limited edition derivatives which previewed the names of future model ranges, reflected marketing links with non-automotive brands or had their appeal amplified by being especially cool despite humble origins.
Few cars visually convey their raison d’etre as effortlessly as the Renault Safrane. Its styling is a whispered watchword for waftiness.
This Nineties voiture de luxe continued a long line of practical, hatchback-bodied Renault flagships in the tradition of the 16, the 20 and 30 twins, and the 25 it directly succeeded.
Nothing especially revelatory there, of course, but what may be news to you is that it wasn’t the first Safrane-badged Renault.
There’s an earlier Renault Safrane? How did I miss that?
Two reasons:
- That first Safrane was a limited edition model, so few in number in the first place and…
- It was a limited edition version of the Renault 14, so few in number remain given not many examples have been preserved.
Despite being one of the first European hatchbacks in what’s now known as the C-segment, with a spacious interior courtesy of its transverse-mounted ‘suitcase’ engines (co-developed with Peugeot) and inflated styling.
Renault’s contemporary marketing strategy focused upon how the 14’s roominess was by virtue of it being pear-shaped… No, me neither.
Compared with the crisp looks of direct rivals such as the original Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf, Ford’s first front-wheel drive Escort and Fiat’s radical Strada, the 14 looked bloatedly bland at best.
British sales were slow over its six years on the market, which included a mild mid-life facelift to inject some fresh interest. Even the sportier 14TS went unnoticed, while the far punchier Golf GTI became the must-have hot hatch and a darling of the motoring press.
Renault dealers must have rejoiced when the sharper-suited 11 ousted the 14 from the lineup in 1983.
What set the Safrane apart from regular Renault 14s?
Launched in the UK in June 1978, the 14 Safrane uses the pre-facelift nose, with front wing edges that wrapped around to frame the headlights. Its indicators are flush-mounted into the moulded plastic bumper, while on post-makeover 14s they flank the headlights.
Based on the then mid-spec 1.2-litre 14TL, the Safrane was everything you’d hope for in a late-Seventies special edition, resplendent in copper metallic, elevated further by two-tone colour-matched steel wheels and vinyl bodywork graphics. Even the Safrane badge is a 3D-look sticker.
Inside, the 14’s lucky occupants can luxuriate on chocolate brown velour upholstery, kick their shoes off to indulge in the deep-pile carpets and marvel at seeing part of the centre console-mounted digital clock – the line of sight appears to be obscured by the gear lever gaiter.
The brochure also mentions engraving the owner’s initials onto an aluminium plate for that – and I kid you not – ‘aristocratic personal touch’. Regrettably, wannabe 14 Safrane owners had to imagine its Fabergé-like magnificence as the sales literature was bereft of pictures of it in situ.
An ambitious 900 examples of the 14 Safrane were scheduled to be imported, priced at £3117, making it pricier than even the regular 14GTL range-topper by £42.
Still, at around £16,500* in today’s terms, that seems like fine value.
A fitting precursor to the later Safrane? Hardly, but then,factor in that personalised aluminium plaque and the balance begins to be redressed…
Would a monogrammed metallic plate have persuaded you to plump for a 14 Safrane, or were you already sold on the brown velour seats? Drop me a line in the comments section below.
The Joy Of Specs 
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