DESIGNER homes, designer clothes, why not designer cars? So alongside the brands of modernity Europe's number one car manufacturer hopes to sit the name Renault.

And it's no coincidence that Jean-Paul Gaultier figures in the television advertisement for Renault's quirkiest creation yet, the Avantime. It's a deliberate attempt to be different, a blatant statement that the cars are for the discerning driver who loves designer chic.

It's a brave move. It's a brilliant move. And knowing how conservative the British motorist is, a futile move - or at least I thought as much until it was explained to me like this.

"We knew these cars would not be to everyone's liking," says Renault's press relations manager Graham Holt ."But there is a significant number of people out there who are going to like them because of the modernity they represent."

In a market dominated by German marques - BMW, Mercedes and Audi - the Renaults stand apart. Last year 58 per cent of the luxury E sector shunned these Teutonic makers of austere vehicles.

"So we are actually targeting the majority of the executive market not the minority," says Avantime product manager Nick Harvey.

With Avantime they buy into light and airy, spacious and tactile, where wood, stainless steel and leather blend into an automotive equivalent of a designer home, restaurant or hotel.

And wouldn't our roads have been a dull place without them. The Avantime is stunning from any angle and with its full-length glass roof, stepped tail and open aspect, has 21st century written all over it.

Traditionally coupes are sleek but cramped, sporty but dark, fun but compromised. Not so the Avantime, the most unique two door coupe on the roads today. Even the doors dare to be different. Because they are so long, opening them in confined quarters could prove difficult. To get round this the doors have two hinges, the second about a foot in from the first. This allows the door to open parallel to the side of the car.

Inside, the feel is more luxury people carrier than coupe and very Espace-like. The dash stretches miles in front of you and the digital read-outs are centrally mounted.

One switch on the headcloth opens the huge glass sunroof and four side windows and, because there is no B pillar, it creates the same feeling as an open-topped car. With everything closed, the Avantime glides quietly and comfortably along, every bit the luxury cruiser it undoubtedly is.

Design also extends beyond the weird skin. Great thought has gone into the placing of dials and controls, the size, shape and quality of materials, the cubbyholes and storage bins. You can spend hours exploring the host of excellent features only to discover another nice touch you hadn't noticed at first.

The seats are large luxurious and leather.

On the road it goes like stink, thanks to the 3.0 V6 under its strange bonnet, in fact it fair flies. But as the driver you feel oddly removed as you are so far away from the action. Around the bends you also feel strangely detached and seem to be driving by remote control. Grip is fine and the ride is very comfortable. The brakes are fine and the switchable automatic gearbox very good. I left it in full auto for most of the time and the changes are seamless, the kickdown nice and sensitive. Knock the stick to the left and there's the choice of changing gears sequentially, which is good too, if you can be bothered.

I like the Avantime. I love its brave new looks, its distinctive rump and the sheer presence it possesses thanks to its bulk.

Open the glass sunroofs and all four windows and you get the feeling of a roadster, so it is nice and versatile when you think about it - coupe, people carrier and sportscar all rolled into one.

But despite its many good points Renault faces an uphill task convincing the British public. For many it's proving to be just too weird. I love it.