Renault

Renault (Renault, Regie nationale des usines Renault) is French state automobile company, the biggest in the country. It produces passenger and sport cars and trucks. Its head-quarters are located in Bologna-Billancourt (a small town near Paris).

The history of this company began after Louis Renault constructed his first automobile in 1898, a light voiturette (French “voiturette” = wagon, cart) making as small as 0.75 horsepower. The next model, known as Model A, equipped with De Dion engine making 1.75 horsepower, a very successful one constructed on the basis of a pipe frame, so the elder brothers of Louis joined him and together they formed a new company “Renault Brothers” (“Renault Freres”). In 1899 they managed to assemble and sell 15 A Models. Louis designed a special gearbox where the running torque was delivered to the rear wheels not via chains, but via cardan joint axle. This gear apparatus left unchanged till nowadays for rear-drive cars. The brothers were fond of automobile racing, so sport and racing cars played an important role in their early business.

Since 1900 the company specialized in production of big powerful cars. These were AG1 model with an elegant and convenient bodies Capuchin, Double-Phaeton, Landau and Limousines, rare at these times.

In 1906 on a car show in Berlin the company presented its first bus. Renault Brothers were one of the first to release taxi automobiles with Landau body. These cars, nicknamed Brownings because of their coloring and shape, became famous during World War I after 600 Paris Renault-taxis were mobilized and transported 5000 soldiers to Marne River in shortest terms. Afterwards the taxis were named after the battle, Marne taxis. There even was a monument erected to praise this automobile. For satisfying the needs of French Army the company also provided other machinery, vessels, aircraft engines (the first airplane engine was constructed in 1908). Louis Renault also constructed tanks efficient enough for these times.

During the pre-War years Renault Brothers cooperated actively with Russia. The emperor ordered Renault a Limousine-Landau on Renault chassis for himself and a light easy to drive and maintain Renault Bebe automobile for the heir. It’s also well-known that these Renaults confiscated from “the exploiters” were used for transporting V. I. Lenin. Renault taxi-cabs were also purchased for new socialistic Moscow; the equipment and technologies of Renault were used for establishing KIM automobile plant, later known as AZLK.

In 1930ies original open-body Renault buses appeared; brilliant sport achievements constantly contributed to the firm’s success. After the death of his brother Louis Renault never took the steering wheel himself, but automobiles produced by Renault always adorned numerous car races.

It’s also worth to mention an achievement of 1923 – Sahara desert was crossed for the first time in history by a 6-wheeled prototype. Juva 4 model equipped with an independent front drive, which appeared in 1935, was a new major breakthrough in automobile construction that unfortunately wasn’t evaluated in its time.

World War II brought significant detriment to the company. The plants in Billancourt were ruined during Allies’ bombings; Louis Renault was convicted in cooperation with Nazi and died defamed in a prison.

In 1945 the company was nationalized and became a state company with a joint name.

In 1946 the popular 4CV model appeared along with the famous Citroen 2CV that “set France on wheels.”

By 1949 the plant reconstructions were completed. 500 thousand 4CV’s were released by 1954.

In 1958 a new plant manufacturing Renault engines was launched in Cleon (Normandy). Renault 4 with front-wheel drive became a popular small all people’s car (the issue of this car was over 8 million). In 1965 Renault 16, a front-wheel drive model with a 1.5-liter engine became the pioneer of production of automobiles with hatchback body style of the type we see today. This car with a universal and comfortable saloon, distinctive French soft wheel suspension became an elegant and practical car of French middle-class.

In 1966 Renault signed an agreement with Peugeot and Volvo concerning joining their technical resources.

In 1970ies a period of intensive development of the company began. They founded new plants on the north of France, actually joint enterprises of Renault and Peugeot. Renault 5 and Renault 12 became the bestseller French cars in the world.

In 1979 the company started its progress in prestigious American market after signing an agreement with American Motors Corporation. In its turn Renault agreed to promote the cars of American Motors Corporation in European market.

In 1982 Renault 9 was produced in USA under the name of Alliance and was nominated “The Car of The Year” (this car even served James Bond as a reliable companion-in-arms in one of the movies of this series!)

Renault Espace mini-van was first presented in Brussels in summer 1984. In 1988 an all-wheel drive version of Quadra was demonstrated. In 1996 new a generation of models with transverse engine appeared; their body size was increased. In autumn 1997 Grand with extended wheelbase was released. Since 1998 the automobile was equipped with a new engine.

In 1987 American Motors Corporation was sold to Chrysler Company.

Trucks were taking an important place among Renault products; the heavy-duty truck division of Citroen was also integrated by Renault as well as production of M. Berliet and Saviem trucks.

In 1974-1983 Renault controlled a famous truck production company Mack Trucks Inc.

Renault 25 had its triumphal debuted in November 1983. In June 1988 the exterior design of Renault 25 was modernized. In April 1992 the model range of Renault 25 was replaced by a new highest-class model titled Renault Safrane.

In March 1986 the next generation of Renault appeared under the index of 21 (the factory index of sedan body style L48; of universal body style K48). The universal model that appeared in a half of a year under an individual title Nevada had a body extended by 150 mm. In Europe Renault 21/Nevada was in production until 1995, when it was superseded by Laguna model.

In summer 1988 Renault concern consolidated its positions in the most popular European market of C-class compact cars by releasing Renault 19 hatchback. In 1991 open-body Renault Cabriolet was released and immediately became one of the most popular cars of this class. Since 1996 Renault 19 the Europa version with sedan body became one of the bestsellers of Russian market of new imported passenger cars.

In 1990 production of Clio, the car that later kept the position of bestseller in France for many years, started. The next generation of Clio appeared in 1998 and immediately won popularity. Clio Symbol version was designed especially for the markets of Third World countries like Russia. In autumn 1999 its special modification Clio Sport was released, equipped with a 2.0/16 engine.

On a car show in Paris Laguna Roadster concept model was presented.

1991 was a titled year, when Clio was nominated “Car of The Year”; Renault Ligne AE “Truck of The Year”; Renault FR1 “The Bus of The Year”; Raymond Levi was nominated “President of The Year”.

That very year a concept model Scenic was demonstrated in Frankfurt.

On March 31, 1992 Renault Twingo was constructed and a new model of Renault Safrane was released. On a car show in Paris a new Zoom model was presented.

In November 1993 a new perspective Racoon concept model was presented on a car show in Geneva.

In December 1993 a new middle-class car Renault Laguna was presented. In summer 1995 a new Nevada universal was released. On a car show in Paris in 2000 the second generation of Laguna II model was demonstrated.

In 1994 Argos concept car was demonstrated in Geneva.

In September 1995 Megane model (the successor of Renault 19) was shown. Several modifications were available for this car – Classic, Cabriolet, Coupe and Estate. In spring 1999 a new version with universal body was released,

Presentation of Renault Sport Spider prototype took place at a car show in Geneva.

In 1996 Renault Scenic minivan constructed on the basis of Megane was presented. In spring 1999 the model design was revised. Perspective Fiftie model was shown in Geneva. Aluminum sport Spider car was released.

In 1997 a new panel truck Renault Kangoo was released. In 1998 its Pampa modification was released with such special features as extended road clearance, and strengthened suspension.

Also in 1997 new concept models Definitive and Lahure were demonstrated.

In 1998 the hundredth anniversary of Renault was marked by releasing new Clio 2. In Geneva the new Zo project was shown that was equipped with the first direct injection petrol engine in Europe, and Vel Satis project.

In 1999 they signed a cooperation agreement with Nissan Company. New Avantime model constructed on the basis of Renault Espace was shown to public. And indeed, they managed to surpass their time with this car (basically that is what the models title meant) by converting minivan into a business-class car.

Koleos all-terrain vehicle was demonstrated in Geneva in 2000.

Renault cars added many bright pages to the history of world motoring. Renault team often won Formula races “24 hours La Manche”, Paris-Dakar rallies and other prestigious contests. The most outstanding racers of our times – Nigel Mansell, Alen Prost and Michael Schumacher cooperate with Renault.