Renault joins the estate resurgence with Talisman

This seems pretty neat. Renault has announced the launch of a new estate, providing further evidence that the form factor may be coming back into fashion.

The will stand alongside the model’s saloon version that was revealed on July 6 2015. And according to Renault, this new large estate car delivers the same technological features as the saloon, along with extra load-carrying ability.

Despite that extra carrying capacity, Renault says the Talisman is pretty frugal. According to the French automaker, its fuel consumption is as low as 3.5l/100km.

“The TALISMAN Estate is a natural extension of the model’s saloon version,” says Laurens van den Acker – Senior Vice President, Corporate Design. “It carries over the same nicely balanced proportions, including a svelte profile and high waist-line that visually lengthen and widen the car. It also stands out through the lift in the waist line towards the rear, as well as through its roof line which is embellished by sleek roof bars and which terminates in a long lip spoiler. The TALISMAN Estate’s lines express the dynamism and functionality that are such key considerations for an estate car.”

On the technology front, the Talisman is equipped with a car radio featuring a 4.2-inch (11cm) display, as well as a seven-inch capacitive, horizontally-mounted touch screen display. RLINK, the technology behind that screen functions like a personal tablet, and also oversees the MULTI-SENSE technology and the vehicle’s driver aids, as well as performing all the standard duties such as the navigation, audio and climate control functions…

The touch screen display’s features are executed by shortcut buttons, a multi- function rotary control on the centre console and additional steering wheel- mounted controls, meaning the system can be operated in complete safety.

According to Renault, those shortcuts mean that the “most popular and frequently used functions are always within arm’s reach, courtesy of customisable home pages based on widgets (icons). It is also easy for drivers to find their pre-selected driving settings and in-car ambience with just a single click”.