Dacia 2000
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 25, 1899 in France |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Website | www |
The Renault 20 (R20) and Renault 30 (R30) represent two executive automobiles manufactured by the French carmaker Renault from 1975 through 1984. Positioned as Renault's top-tier and most costly vehicles of that period, these models shared nearly identical body panels and mechanical underpinnings. The R30 distinguished itself by featuring a larger engine and commanding a higher price. Key visual differences included the Renault 20’s pair of single rectangular headlights contrasted with the Renault 30’s set of four round headlights. Interior appointments also differed notably, with the R30 consistently equipped with more luxurious features. Production volumes exceeded 622,000 units for the R20 and approximately 145,000 for the R30 at Renault’s Sandouville factory near Le Havre in France.
In 1978, the Renault 20 was honored with the What Car? "Car of the Year" accolade.
Despite its status as a premium offering, the Renault 30 experienced rapid depreciation; for instance, a new 30 TX Automatic priced at £11,950 in May 1984 had its trade value drop to about £3,450 by mid-1986.
Introduction
Unveiled in March 1975 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Renault 30 TS served as Renault’s flagship model and marked the company’s first engine exceeding four cylinders since the pre-war Renault Vivastella. It was among the pioneering vehicles to utilize the newly engineered 2664 cc PRV V6 powerplant—a collaborative development between Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo—delivering and enabling a maximum speed of . Its hatchback design drew inspiration from the successful Renault 16.
The more budget-friendly Renault 20, launched at the Paris Salon in November 1975, shared the hatchback silhouette of the R30 but was distinguished by two rectangular headlights instead of four round ones. Essentially succeeding the Renault 16, it was powered by a smaller 1647 cc four-cylinder engine rated at . The R20 incorporated rear drum brakes, smaller 13-inch wheels, and a reduced 60-litre fuel tank capacity. Available in L, TL, and GTL trims, it functioned largely as a badge-engineered counterpart to the R30. In November 1979, Renault introduced its first diesel variant—a new 2068 cc engine—within the R20 lineup.
Both vehicles incorporated advanced safety features such as front and rear crumple zones along with side impact protection. Early models were fitted with distinctive door handles that folded downward but were replaced with conventional handles starting August 1976 for the 1977 model year.
In the market
Both models were plagued by reliability concerns and mechanical issues that raised maintenance expenses, factors that contributed to significant depreciation in markets like the UK—paralleling challenges faced by rivals such as the Peugeot 604 and Rover SD1. Corrosion presented a serious problem; in response, Renault improved rustproofing measures and introduced a five-year anti-corrosion warranty beginning January 1982.
Renault’s brand recognition was relatively weak in premium segments outside France. Coupled with hatchback styling, relatively small engines designed to comply with French tax regulations, and quality control issues, export volumes remained modest. More than 63% of total production was sold within France. The R20 and R30 were assembled from complete knock-down kits in countries including Venezuela (R30 TS, 1979–1984), Australia (R20 TS, 1979–1981), and Thailand (1979–1980). Although never officially marketed in the United States, approximately 426 R30 units found their way into Canada through imports.
In Argentina, between 1979 and 1982, Renault positioned the R30 as an upscale alternative competing against models like the Ford Granada, Citroën CX, Mercedes-Benz W123, and Toyota Crown, primarily offering TS V6 and TX variants.
Significantly, the Renault 30 served as an official state vehicle for President François Mitterrand during his election campaigns starting in 1979 and throughout his early years in office until he transitioned to its successor model, the Renault 25, in 1984.
Modifications
Soon after its debut, the Renault 20 was criticized for lacking sufficient power relative to its size, whereas the Renault 30 was regarded as overly expensive compared to similar vehicles. To remedy this, the R20TS was launched featuring a new 1995 cc four-cylinder overhead camshaft engine delivering , which it shared with the Citroën CX and later the Peugeot 505. This 2.0-litre powerplant received widespread acclaim as a notable advancement. In October 1978, the R30 TX appeared as a more upscale fuel-injected variant of the R30 TS, followed by the introduction of the R20 Diesel in late 1979. By the end of 1981, all 1.6-litre R20 variants were phased out, leaving the LS 2.0 as the entry-level model.[1]
In 1980, the NG1 five-speed gearbox was superseded by the longer-ratio and smoother-shifting 395 transmission.[2] The summer of 1980 brought the launch of the 2.2-litre fuel-injected R20 TX, while in 1981, the R30 Turbo Diesel was introduced.[1] The R30 Diesel Turbo combined R30 TX trim with distinctive alloy wheels and a turbocharged diesel engine based on the naturally aspirated unit. This turbo diesel engine became available in the R20 from early 1982 onwards. The lineup underwent a facelift for the 1981 model year.[2] Production ceased for both models on 16 October 1983, making way for the Renault 25.
Chronology
- March 1975 – The Renault 30 TS was unveiled as a large five-door hatchback powered by a 2664 cc V6 PRV engine (jointly developed by Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo), with a choice between a 4-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic transmission.[3] Notable features included power-assisted steering, four round Quartz-Iodide headlights, electric front windows, and central locking.
- October 1975 – The Renault 20 was introduced in L, TL, and GTL trims equipped with a smaller four-cylinder 1647 cc engine rated at , paired with a four-speed gearbox. Unlike the R30 TS’s four round headlights, the R20 featured two rectangular units. The L trim provided basic equipment without hubcaps; TL offered enhanced features; GTL matched TS-level equipment. Automatic transmission was available as an option on TL and GTL.
- 1976 – Power output of the R20’s 1647 cc engine increased to .
- August 1976 – The updated R1275 model replaced the original R30 TS (R1273), incorporating minor engine revisions, grey headlight surrounds, a redesigned fuel filler lid, and traditional door handles. V6 output decreased from to .
- July 1977 – Introduction of R20 TS with a new 1995 cc engine delivering , available with either a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission; trim level similar to R20 GTL.
- Late 1977/Early 1978 – Due to weak sales, the R20 L was discontinued; all remaining models received an updated instrument panel visor and optional steel wheels fitted with Michelin TRX tyres.
- October 1978 – Launch of R30 TX, equipped with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection producing from the V6 engine, paired with either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. Luxury upgrades included alloy wheels, electric windows all around, an electric sunroof, velour upholstery, and front/rear headrests.
- 1979 – Updates introduced driver’s side rear fog lamp and rear seat belts. The R20 TS gained a new cooling fan, inertia reel rear seat belts, an improved windscreen wiper switch, and an optional five-speed gearbox. The R30 TS’s output rose to , along with inclusion of a small pocket in driver’s sun visor. The R20 LS debuted featuring mechanicals akin to R20 TS but equipment comparable to TL.
- November 1979 – Debut of R20 Diesel (TD and GTD) powered by a new 2,068 cc diesel engine with five-speed transmission, negative offset front suspension, and larger four-stud wheel rims. The TD matched TL/LS trim levels; GTD aligned with TS trim but added power steering.
- 1980 – All models received pantograph-style driver’s side wipers and an interior dashboard redesign inspired by Renault Fuego. Petrol variants gained new automatic transmission options; TL/GTL trims featured improved alternators and new three-spoke wheels; TS adopted wheel rims from R30 TS; R30 TS/TX versions received chrome grille surrounds.
- July 1980 – Introduction of R20 LS[4] alongside R20 TX powered by an upgraded 2165 cc engine rated at .
- 1981 – Enhancements included dual-circuit brakes and negative offset front suspension across all R20 models. Following GTL discontinuation, TL briefly became the sole model with smaller displacement engine. The R30 TX gained new bumpers and computer-controlled cruise control.
- July 1981 – Introduction of turbodiesel model: R30 Turbo D.[1]
- September 1981 – Discontinuation of R20 TL.
- Late 1981 – Withdrawal of R30 TS from production.
- 16 October 1983 — Termination of manufacturing for Renault 20 and Renault 30 series; replaced by Renault 25.
Production statistics
- R1270: 20/30 Turbo-D — 8,706 / 18,895
- R1271: 20 L/TL/GTL — 187,001
- R1272: 20 TS — 201,401
- R1273: early 30 TS — 32,497
- R1275: 30 TS — 68,401
- R1276: 20 TD/GTD — 84,801
- R1277: 20 LS/TS — 100,401
- R1278: 30 TX — 40,401
- R1279: 20 TX — 33,801
International assembly
Starting in 1979, the Renault 30 TS was manufactured in Venezuela. This model came equipped with the carbureted PRV V6 engine and was offered with either a four-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The total output reached 748 units.
Dacia (Romania)
From 1979 through 1985, the Romanian state-owned automaker Dacia produced a limited run of Renault 20 models under the designation Dacia 2000. These vehicles utilized the R20 TS’s two-liter engine and were exclusively allocated to Communist Party officials and secret police during Nicolae Ceauşescu’s regime.
Motorsport achievements
In the 1982 Paris-Alger-Dakar Rally, a modified Renault 20 Turbo 4x4, piloted by Bernard Marreau, claimed victory. This rally car featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine sourced from the Renault 18 Turbo combined with four-wheel drive.