The Renault Safrane I (B54) 2.5 TD (B548), produced between 1992 and 1996, was a large family car marketed primarily in Europe. Positioned as a more comfortable and upscale alternative to the Renault 21, the Safrane aimed to compete with vehicles like the Ford Granada and Peugeot 605. While never officially sold in the United States, the Safrane represents a significant effort by Renault to offer a sophisticated and technologically advanced vehicle in the executive car segment. The 2.5 TD variant, powered by a turbocharged diesel engine, offered a balance of fuel efficiency and respectable performance for its time.
Renault Safrane I (B54): An Overview
The Safrane was Renault’s attempt to move upmarket and provide a genuinely competitive offering in the large car class. It distinguished itself with a focus on comfort, spaciousness, and a relatively modern design for the early 1990s. The B54 generation, specifically the 2.5 TD model, utilized a direct injection diesel engine, a technology that was becoming increasingly popular in Europe due to its fuel economy benefits. The Safrane’s hatchback body style offered practicality, while its interior aimed for a premium feel with features like comfortable seating and a well-equipped dashboard.
Engine & Performance
The heart of the Safrane I 2.5 TD (B548) is a 2.5-liter inline-four cylinder diesel engine, designated the S8U. This engine produces 112 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 240 Nm (177.01 lb.-ft.) of torque at 2000 rpm. The engine features a turbocharger and precombustion chamber fuel injection, a common diesel technology of the era. This configuration allowed for a reasonable power output while maintaining good fuel economy. The Safrane 2.5 TD achieves a combined fuel consumption of 7.6 liters per 100 kilometers (30.9 US mpg or 37.2 UK mpg). Performance figures include a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration time of 12.9 seconds and a top speed of 195 km/h (121.17 mph). The weight-to-power ratio is 14 kg/Hp, and the weight-to-torque ratio is 6.5 kg/Nm, indicating a moderate power-to-weight balance.
Design & Features
The Renault Safrane I (B54) is a five-door hatchback, offering a practical and versatile body style. Its design, penned by Jean-Pierre Ploué, was considered modern for its time, featuring smooth lines and a relatively understated aesthetic. The interior prioritized comfort and space, with seating for five passengers. Key features included hydraulic power steering, ventilated front disc brakes, and disc brakes on the rear axle. The inclusion of ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) was a notable safety feature for the early 1990s. The Safrane’s trunk offered a minimum capacity of 480 liters (16.95 cu. ft.), providing ample space for luggage. The vehicle’s dimensions are 4736 mm (186.46 in.) in length, 1790 mm (70.47 in.) in width, and 1414 mm (55.67 in.) in height, with a wheelbase of 2766 mm (108.9 in.).
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Renault |
| Model | Safrane |
| Generation | Safrane I (B54) |
| Type (Engine) | 2.5 TD (B548) (112 Hp) |
| Start of production | 1992 |
| End of production | 1996 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Hatchback |
| Seats | 5 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 7.6 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (US mpg) | 30.9 US mpg |
| Fuel consumption (UK mpg) | 37.2 UK mpg |
| Fuel consumption (km/l) | 13.2 km/l |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 12.9 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 62 mph | 12.9 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 60 mph | 12.3 sec |
| Maximum speed | 195 km/h |
| Maximum speed (mph) | 121.17 mph |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 14 kg/Hp |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 6.5 kg/Nm |
| Power | 112 Hp @ 4000 rpm |
| Power per litre | 44.8 Hp/l |
| Torque | 240 Nm @ 2000 rpm |
| Torque (lb.-ft.) | 177.01 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine Model/Code | S8U |
| Engine displacement | 2499 cm3 |
| Engine displacement (cu. in.) | 152.5 cu. in. |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 93 mm |
| Cylinder Bore (in.) | 3.66 in. |
| Piston Stroke | 92 mm |
| Piston Stroke (in.) | 3.62 in. |
| Compression ratio | 22.5:1 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 2 |
| Fuel injection system | Precombustion chamber injection |
| Engine aspiration | Turbocharger |
| Valvetrain | OHC |
| Engine oil capacity | 6.5 l |
| Engine oil capacity (US qt) | 6.87 US qt |
| Engine oil capacity (UK qt) | 5.72 UK qt |
| Coolant | 10 l |
| Coolant (US qt) | 10.57 US qt |
| Coolant (UK qt) | 8.8 UK qt |
| Kerb Weight | 1565 kg |
| Kerb Weight (lbs.) | 3450.23 lbs. |
| Max. weight | 2090 kg |
| Max. weight (lbs.) | 4607.66 lbs. |
| Max load | 525 kg |
| Max load (lbs.) | 1157.43 lbs. |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum | 480 l |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum (cu. ft.) | 16.95 cu. ft. |
| Fuel tank capacity | 80 l |
| Fuel tank capacity (US gal) | 21.13 US gal |
| Fuel tank capacity (UK gal) | 17.6 UK gal |
| Length | 4736 mm |
| Length (in.) | 186.46 in. |
| Width | 1790 mm |
| Width (in.) | 70.47 in. |
| Height | 1414 mm |
| Height (in.) | 55.67 in. |
| Wheelbase | 2766 mm |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 108.9 in. |
| Front track | 1530 mm |
| Front track (in.) | 60.24 in. |
| Rear (Back) track | 1487 mm |
| Rear (Back) track (in.) | 58.54 in. |
| Drivetrain Architecture | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears and type of gearbox | 5 gears, manual transmission |
| Front suspension | Wishbone |
| Rear suspension | Spring Strut |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 195/65 R15 |
| Wheel rims size | 15 |
The Renault Safrane I (B54) 2.5 TD, while not a mainstream vehicle in the United States, represents a compelling example of European automotive engineering from the early 1990s. Its blend of comfort, practicality, and fuel-efficient diesel power made it a popular choice for families and business travelers in Europe.
