The carpocalypse continues and its latest victim is reportedly the Renault Talisman.
According to Motor1, Renault ceased production of the Talisman late last month. That’s unfortunate, but not unexpected as rumors of the Talisman’s demise have been swirling for years.
Like many sedans and wagons, the Talisman has struggled as consumers have embraced crossovers with open arms. European sales peaked at 34,344 units in 2016 and have fallen significantly since then. Before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, sales tumbled to 16,405 units in 2019. They then plummeted to 8,025 units the following year.
Driven: The Renault Talisman Is A Big, Comfortable Cruiser
While the Talisman wasn’t a strong seller, it was quite the looker and featured an assortment of different engines including a 1.3-liter four-cylinder petrol with outputs of 138 hp (103 kW / 140 PS) and 158 hp (118 kW / 160 PS). Customers could also opt for 1.7- and 2.0-liter diesels with outputs ranging from 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) to 198 hp (147 kW / 200 PS).
While the outputs were relatively modest, the Talisman offered an upscale Initiale Paris trim that featured quilted Nappa leather upholstery as well as heated, ventilated and massaging front seats. They were joined by a heated leather steering wheel, wood trim, a wireless smartphone charger, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system. The Talisman also sported a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.3-inch infotainment system, four-wheel steering, and a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system.