Renault 14
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 25, 1899 in France |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Automobiles |
The Renault 14 is a small family car manufactured by the French automaker Renault between 1976 and 1983. It was introduced in January 1976, with production commencing in June of the same year. The Renault 14 was notably the first mass-produced vehicle assembled at Renault’s new Douai Renault Factory located in Douai, following initial pilot production runs of the Renault 5.
History
Conceived to rival the small family hatchback market segment popularized by the 1974 Volkswagen Golf, the Renault 14 featured front-wheel drive and was initially available in L and TL variants equipped with a 1.2 L SOHC engine. Subsequently, 1.4 L versions were launched, delivering power outputs of (R14 GTL) and (R14 TS). Both engine options utilized the PSA-Renault co-developed "X-type" (Douvrin) power unit, which was exclusive to this particular Renault model. The vehicle’s design prioritized functional space and versatility, including rear seats that could fold flat or be completely removed. A distinctive feature was the placement of the spare tire beneath the bonnet, positioned above the transversely mounted engine set at a 72° angle—marking Renault’s first use of a Mini-style transverse engine layout.
The car’s styling received commendation for its contemporary appearance, while its rear suspension employed dual full-width torsion bars, a setup consistent with earlier Renault models. This suspension design resulted in a slight asymmetry in wheelbase length between each side.
To address underwhelming sales figures, Renault broadened the lineup in 1979 by introducing an upscale "GTL" trim incorporating design elements inspired by the newly released Renault 18, alongside a "TS" version that featured twin-chamber carburetors, halogen headlights, and front electric windows—the latter being a pioneering feature within its segment on the French market.
Although among Europe’s pioneers in front-wheel-drive hatchbacks, by the early 1980s the Renault 14 encountered stiff competition from rivals such as the Ford Escort MK3, Opel Kadett/Vauxhall Astra, Fiat Ritmo/Strada, and Talbot Horizon. The arrival of the acclaimed Renault 9 in 1981 shifted corporate focus within Renault’s portfolio, culminating in the Renault 14’s discontinuation and replacement by the Renault 11 two years later.
"The Pear"
The Renault 14’s sales performance was negatively impacted by an advertising campaign that compared its body shape to a pear, highlighting roomy accommodation for passengers and cargo. A preview display featuring only a bare bodyshell at Paris's Pompidou Centre failed to generate significant buyer interest. The model developed a reputation for early onset rust issues, earning it the derogatory nickname "rotten pear" among automotive journalists. In France, it is colloquially known as "La poire", which translates to "the pear" but also slangily denotes "gullible," reflecting consumer sentiment toward the car. Although corrosion problems were also present with the best-selling Renault 5, more effective marketing strategies helped that model achieve commercial success.
The R14 was further criticized for difficulties starting under humid conditions. Additionally, its temperature gauge was inconveniently located behind the gear lever on the transmission tunnel rather than on the main dashboard instrumentation panel, which sometimes led to unnoticed engine overheating and consequent damage.
Relaunch
In an effort to revive interest in 1980, Renault upgraded equipment levels and implemented a minor facelift that included relocating front indicators and redesigning front fenders. Despite these updates, production ended in 1983 after nearly seven years on sale and a total output of 993,193 units. Initial daily manufacturing targets were set at 325 vehicles per day, with plans to increase to 700 units in 1977 and close to 1,000 by 1978; however, sales peaked early and these goals were never fully realized. Following the redesign, domestic sales within France improved modestly. Today, surviving examples of the R14 are scarce on European roads—even within France where parts availability through Renault dealers was robust. During the 1980s, many R14s served as fleet vehicles for French police forces.
The R14’s successors—the 9 and 11—were introduced in 1981 and early 1983 respectively. These models featured more traditional styling approaches despite sharing some design cues with their predecessor.
By 2018, only nine Renault 14 cars remained registered and roadworthy in the United Kingdom.
Engine
| Variant | Engine Series | Dénomination Française de Mécanique | Renault Code | PSA Code | Engine Capacity | Bore / Stroke (mm) | Output | Carburetion | Fuel Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L - TL - GTL | "X-type series" | 129 | X5G (*) | XZ5 | 1218 cc | 75 x 69 | 57 hp(¹) / 58.5 hp(²) | Single-barrel carburetor | Petrol |
| TS phase 1 | "X-type series" | 145 | X6G (*) | XZ5X | 1218 cc | 75 x 69 | 69 hp | Twin-barrel carburetor | Petrol |
| GTL (³) | "X-type series" | 150D | X5J | XY7 | 1360 cc | 75 x 77 | 60 hp | Single-barrel carburetor | Petrol |
| TS phase 2 | "X-type series" | 150 | X6J (*) | XY6B | 1360 cc | 75 x 77 | 70 hp | Twin-barrel carburetor | Petrol |
(*) These designations are inferred from Renault’s engine coding conventions.
At the outset, both Renault and Peugeot utilized shared engine models identified by Française de Mécanique codes, but by the 1980s, their naming systems had evolved independently.
For example, the Renault 14 GTL’s X5J engine (1360 cc) introduced in 1982 follows Renault’s three-character coding: the initial letter represents the engine block type (X for "X series"), the digit indicates the engine variant (5 for hemispherical gasoline cylinder head with single carburetor), and the final letter specifies displacement range (J corresponding to 1350–1449 cc).
Timeline
- 1976 – Debut of Renault 14 offered in L and TL versions equipped with a 1.2-litre Peugeot engine.
- 1979 – Launch of the more powerful R14 TS, featuring a twin-chamber carburetor to boost performance.
- 1979 – Model nomenclature updated: R14 L renamed to R14, and R14 TL to R14 GTL.
- 1980 – The R14 TS receives an upgrade to a larger 1.4-litre powerplant.
- 1980 – Introduction of R14 LS, combining the TS’s 1.4-litre engine with basic trim similar to the standard R14.
- 1982 – The R14 GTL is fitted with an economy-focused version of the 1.4-litre engine.
- 1983 – Manufacturing ceases; succeeded by the Renault 9/11 model range.