Renault Vel Satis

So the company has added another of its excellent diesel engines to the range - but will this improve sales? We got behind the wheel of the 2.2 dCi in Privilege spec to see if this oil-burner will raise the profile of the French fancy.

The Vel Satis is loaded with gadgets - slide the keycard into the slot, press the start button and the diesel powerplant springs to life, although with a bit too much rattle for our liking. But the power-steering feels very light, which is no mean feat for such a large car, and the seating position, while very comfortable, is MPV-like in height.

The six-speed manual box offers an effortless change and, with 320Nm of torque, acceleration through the gears is good, allowing the car to sprint from 0-60mph in 10.9 seconds. The tall top ratio makes for smooth motorway cruising, and helps the Vel Satis reach a maximum speed of 125mph. And with a combined fuel figure of 39.8mpg, plus CO2 emissions of 188g/km, it will go down well with company car drivers.

Also, as you'd expect from Renault, the safety package is second to none, and includes ABS, front and lateral driver and passenger airbags as well as curtain airbags for both front and rear occupants - all of which makes the car an attractive proposition as long as you like the looks. It was always going to be a risky move by Renault to take on the likes of BMW and Mercedes with such a radical vehicle, and while the 2.2 dCi performs well, the interior simply isn't of high enough quality. Despite the competitive ΂£23,085 price tag, it's difficult to see the car challenging the front runners.