Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 806 Built
- Years
- 1993–1996
- Engine
- V6, twin turbocharged (two KKK turbochargers, air-to-air intercooler) · 2,963 cc / 3.0 LFactory: 2,963 cc
- Power
- 197 kW / 268 PSFactory: 268 PS
- Top speed
- 250 km/hFactory: 250 km/h
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Safrane Biturbo was Renault's attempt to give its flagship saloon the performance to compete with BMW and Mercedes, but it failed commercially because of its high price. It was a rare car, with about 806 built out of some 310,000 Safranes.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionunits produced (of 310,000 Safrane) | 8061,2 | Factory production | Registry reported |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The Safrane was introduced in March 1992 and Renault announced a twin-turbo V6 version at the same time. Development took longer than planned and the car reached the roads in early 1994. Bodywork parts came via Irmscher and the engine work via Hartge, because Renault had no line for small-series assembly. In 1994 it cost 389,000 francs (RXE) or 426,000 francs (Baccara). The RXE was dropped for 1996 and the car left the catalogue for the 1997 model year.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Safrane Biturbo.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | PRV 3.0 V61 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | V6, twin turbocharged (two KKK turbochargers, air-to-air intercooler)1 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 2,963 cc / 3.0 LFactory: 2,963 cc1 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 197 kW / 268 PSFactory: 268 PS1 Independently researchedConflict inside the source: the text gives 260 ch at 5,500 rpm, the data sheet 268 ch at 5,500 rpm (ch taken as PS). |
| Power at | 5,500 rpm1 Independently researched |
| Torque | 363 Nm / 37 kgmFactory: 37 kgm1 Independently researchedSource: 37 mkg between 2,300 and 5,000 rpm. |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual, Quadra four-wheel drive1 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | 51 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | All four1 Independently researched |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Multi-link; electronically controlled dampers1 Independently researchedMulti-link rear suspension is a Safrane feature; the source mentions controlled suspension for the Biturbo. |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | 1,675 kgFactory: 1,675 kg1 Independently researched |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 250 km/hFactory: 250 km/h1 Independently researchedElectronically limited; the source says about 240 km/h is realistic. |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
The Biturbo has a specific more open grille, a bumper with integrated fog lights hiding two heat exchangers, exclusive 17-inch wheels, twin chrome exhaust tips and a small rear spoiler. The interior has burr walnut trim, leather and automatic climate control.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Safrane Biturbo : celle qui voulait aller concurrencer les puissantes berlines allemandes Level B Loic Ferriere · Planète Renault · 2024-11-19
- Production : environ 806 unités
- le vieux 3.0 V6 PRV (2 963 cm³)
- deux turbos KKK avec un échangeur air/air
- V6 PRV (2 963 cm³)
- Fiche technique: Puissance : 268 ch. à 5 500 tr/min
- à 5 500 tr/min
- couple de 37 mkg disponible entre 2 300 et 5 000 tr/min
- Transmission : intégrale, boîte manuelle à 5 vitesses
- boîte manuelle à 5 vitesses
- transmission intégrale Quadra
- suspension arrière multibras ... suspensions pilotées
- son poids important de 1 675 kg
- vitesse max. est bridée à 250 km/h
-
2
Planète Renault – Safrane Biturbo Level C
- 806 units produced (of 310,000 Safrane)
Keep exploring
More from Renault
-
Renault
Espace F1
1 Built
-
Renault · 1956
Étoile Filante
2 Built
-
Renault · 1985
5 Maxi Turbo
20 Built
-
Renault · 1898
Type A Voiturette
71 Built
More from France
-
Voisin · 1931–1936
C23 (1930s)
335 Built
-
Citroën
2CV 007 (For Your Eyes Only)
Production not yet verified
-
Bugatti
Type 57 "Grand Raid" by Gangloff
1 Built
-
Alpine
A110 GT4
278 Built
70 other makes from FranceACMAAixamAlcatelAlpineAmilcarArzensAvions VoisinBACBallotBerlietBolloreBuccialiBugattiCGCharron, Girardot et VoigtChenard-WalckerCitroënClément-PanhardDAMSDarracqDBDB (Deutsch-Bonnet)De DietrichDe Dion-BoutonDe Dion, Bouton et TrépardouxDe La ChapelleDelageDelahayeDelaunay-BellevilleDerbyDSExagonFacel VegaFarmanFord FranceGentyGordiniHommellHopiumHotchkissAll makes →