2013 Renault Safrane
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The Safrane is back. Kind of.
Renault has decided to offer its version of the new Samsung SM7 as a Renault for the Chinese Market.
A smart move. Upscale sedans are very popular in China right now, and this gives Renault a decent offering.
It is not sure yet if it will eventually make it in Europe, where it would replace the old Vel Satis.
Renault has not been lucky with large luxurious cars in Europe.
(Even though I thought, after driving one for a week, that the Vel Satis was a really nice car.) 
This is what the Samsung version looks like. Pretty much the same as the Chinese Renault.
I actually think this could make a nice Maxima here.
But I have heard rumors that the next US Maxima might be more of one of these “4 door coupe”.
Inorder to differenciate it better from the Altima.
Why not…
This Renault-Samsung SM7 is a rebadged Nissan Teana and I think it’s sold as the Maxima in Australia.
Nissan already sells the Teana in China, it may even be assembled there.
This really looks awful. Kind of a mis-mash of a bunch of other cars.
If Maxima goes 4-door coupe, maybe Nissan wouldn't mind making it rear-drive, as such a car wouldn't clash with any Infiniti
Speaking of which, it's funny how Honda and Acura brands have no problem using the same drive wheels.
Who would have thunk it… French designs have transitioned from weirdly unusual to just plain boring and sad.
The good news is that this mess won't be sold in the US.