Renault Talisman is one of the few European sedans imported to Iran in recent years. This model reached the market of our country in 2015 and is still being sold in the world market.
The history of Renault’s presence in Iran is equal to the entire history of automobiles in our country. The first personal and motorized vehicle was bought by Muzaffaruddin Shah from Belgium. This model was Renault 1900 with thick tires. During the 1960s and 1970s, Renault 5 was the second best-selling car in the country’s market, after the Arrow, and it was sold by Saipa with the ban on importing foreign models. Before the implementation of the car import ban law in 2017, Renaultpars was the official representative of Renault in Iran, which still provides after-sales services.
The variety of foreign car imports to Iran has increased since the early 1990s. When the value of the free market dollar was in the range of 3 thousand tomans, it was possible to buy Korean models with zero kilometers at a price of less than 200 million tomans. This situation created a good opportunity for the Renault brand to import new models including Talisman and Koleos to Iran while using its history and reputation in Iran. These cars were priced around 180 to 190 million Tomans at the beginning of their arrival, but after public acceptance, they experienced a 10 to 20 percent price increase.
In addition to the originality of the brand, Renault’s design style for Talisman and Coolois led to the attraction of customers for these cars in the mid-1990s. These two models in the family sedan and crossover body class were similar in terms of price but had important technical differences. For this reason, after many years, there is a relative satisfaction with Coleus; While many Talisman buyers have encountered technical problems.
The mascot of 2015 was unveiled. The assembly line of this model was active in France until 2022, and now it is only produced in South Korea. Imported examples of this car for the Iranian market are also made in Korea. Based on the CMF-CD platform similar to the Nissan Sentra, the Talisman is one of the few family sedans produced with the ability to run on LPG, which is why it is so popular in South Korea. Renault Talisman was sold in the world market with two body types, sedan and estate (Grand Tour), but it was only available in Iran as a sedan model. Also, there are 13 types of gasoline, diesel and LPG engines for the Talisman, which includes a 1.3-liter three-cylinder turbo with a power of 115 hp and a two-liter naturally aspirated with a power of 145 hp. Talisman in Iran and many other countries of the world is equipped with a 1.6 liter turbocharged high boost engine with a power of 190 horsepower.
Body and exterior design of Renault Talisman
After 7 years of Talisman design, the exterior appearance of this car can still be described as eye-catching and in line with the global standard. The C-shaped LED strip of daytime running lights, installed under the headlamps, perfectly represents Renault’s design language of the past years. This design style was also used for the Koleos, Megane and Clio.
The large front grill with shiny chrome lines, the manufacturer’s trademark with unusual dimensions and the manufacturer’s refusal to install a black plastic shield make the main appearance of the Talisman look luxurious and attractive. The extension of the front hood to the edge of the lights, the appropriate volume of the body with soft lines and the right place for the fog lights are other positive points in the design of Renault Talisman.
From the side view, the eye-catching slope of the roof to the end of the body gives the Talisman the feeling of a fastback sedan similar to Audi sedans; While the Renault product has a normal trunk with a cover separate from the back glass. Talisman does not have black plastic accessories for the pedals and the edges of the fenders. The car comes with 17-inch aluminum sports wheels, body-colored side mirrors and chrome trim for the window frame.
On the back of the talisman, the mode of lights is similar to Coleus and has a kind of continuity. A spoiler-like protrusion is used at the end of the trunk lid and a very good place for the exhausts is installed. Under the rear bumper, there are black plastic tools, which, of course, seem minor and tolerable. In general, the volume of the body for the rear view of the Talisman is well done and has eye-catching bends of the shield.
Renault Talisman was sold in Iran with a length of 4848 mm, width of 2081 mm and roof height of 1463 mm with a wheelbase of 2808 mm. In terms of dimensions, Talisman is a little bigger than Toyota Camry generation XV40 model 2013 available in Iran.
Interior view and cabin design of Renault Talisman
Contrary to the exterior appearance of the car, which is considered close to the luxury class, the design style and tools used for the Talisman cabin look cheap and boring. This car is considered a very important negative point for wealthy people in the Iranian market who paid 1.5 to 2 billion tomans to buy a second-hand Talisman.
The main material of the dashboard is dry plastic with a dark color. Of course, in some countries, there is also a two-tone dashboard with light brown leather. The 7.8-inch flat screen with a vertical structure looks large and functional, but it does not provide much harmony with other components of the cabin. The state of the air outlets on the sides of the screen is not very attractive, and the rotary switches for air conditioning and sound control of the entertainment system also reduce the beauty of the cabin.
Behind the steering wheel, a digital panel is installed with analog hands on the sides. These conditions give the feeling of a modern car to the Talisman driver; But the steering wheel design with plastic keys looks awkward and cheap. Inside the nests and the middle console, soft materials with artificial leather are used to provide a better feeling for the passengers.
The design of front seats and comfort for Talisman front row passengers is very good. The black leather used for this part, along with the large back of the head and bright stitching line, provides an attractive combination for the Talisman. On the other hand, the comfort of the rear passengers of the car is not very suitable and compared to the Camry XV40 model 2013 in the Iranian market, it seems insufficient. Instead, the Talisman trunk with a useful volume of 608 liters has very good conditions for carrying cargo in intercity trips.
Engine and technical specifications of Renault Talisman
It was said earlier that Talisman was imported in Iran only with a 1.6 liter high boost engine. Renault technology provides a very good power of 190 hp with a torque of 260 Nm for this compact engine. The 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and the maximum torque output from the engine revolutions of 2,500 rpm play an important role in accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds for the Talisman. Also, the car’s highway fuel consumption is 4.5 to 5 liters per hundred kilometers, which is a positive point for a family sedan with a net weight of 1450 kg. Average gasoline consumption of Talisman in Iran is reported to be 6 to 7 liters per hundred kilometers.
Comfort and safety facilities of Renault Talisman
The samples imported to Iran are mostly E3 version and in terms of features, they are close to full option. Technically speaking, there are ECO, Sport and Comfort driving modes, power steering and ESP stability system with TCS traction control.
Talisman has 5 safety stars from the European Union Safety Foundation (Euro-NCAP). Anti-lock brakes with auxiliary brake, electric handbrake, front airbags for the driver and side passenger with side and curtain airbags, smart wipers, automatic lights, automatic tailgate with sensors, information display technology on the windshield (HUD), powerful Bose sound system with 13 speakers with R-link2 multimedia equipment and 8.7-inch screen, cool box, front LED lights, reversing camera, panoramic roof, blind spot warning system and side radar, park assist system, heated front and rear seats in Talisman E3 is available. The E2 model does not have front sensors, blind spot radar, HUD display, cash register movement sensor, seat heater, massager and BOSE audio system.
Technical review and driving quality
On paper, 190 horsepower and 260 Nm of torque seem satisfactory for the Talisman. This technical ability resulting from a 1.6-liter engine is a masterpiece of engineering, but high depreciation and incompatibility with the gasoline available in Iran created many problems for Talisman buyers. In order to avoid costly breakdowns, the buyers of this car always have to buy super gasoline and fuel supplements, which, of course, is not very important for the owner of a car with a price of more than 1.5 billion tomans. But it limits the use of talisman in intercity trips and remote areas of Iran. We must not forget that the National Company for Refining and Distribution of Petroleum Products has no obligation to provide super gasoline, and even in big cities, there is a lack of super gasoline from time to time.
Low fuel consumption and very good acceleration are the most important positive points in Talisman. These things have kept Talisman’s second-hand market attractive despite the technical problems. This French car, made in Korea in Iran, has shortcomings compared to Toyota Camry XV40 or Iptima of the same model in terms of suspension and springing. Passengers of Talisman, when passing the numerous bumps in the streets of Iran, notice the car’s dry suspension and do not feel the comfort of a luxury sedan.
The price of second-hand Renault Talisman in Iran and comparison with competitors
Most of the talismans imported in Iran are 2017 and 2018 models. These cars are different in terms of technical quality, performance and engine health, and they cover the price range of 1.5 to 2 billion tomans.
From the author’s point of view, Toyota Camry is considered the most important competitor of Talisman. The old generation XV40 series model 2012 with 100 to 150 thousand kilometers is rare, but with a price of about 1 to 1.2 billion tomans, it is worth buying. Also, the newer generation Camry XV50 made from 2013 to 2015 is also traded for around 1.3 to 1.5 billion Tomans in low-functioning models. These cars are not superior to Talisman in terms of acceleration, fuel consumption, and accessories, but they provide great comfort for passengers and have low maintenance costs.
Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata are Korean sedans competing for Talisman. Currently, the 2015 Sonata with 50,000 km mileage costs 1.5 billion tomans, and the 2018 Sonata Hybrid with less than 50,000 km mileage costs around 2.2 billion tomans. The same conditions apply to Kia Optima.
Source link
