Renault 16
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | February 25, 1899 in France |
| Headquarters | Boulogne-Billancourt , France |
| Products | Automobiles, commercial vehicles |
| Website | www |
The Renault 16 (R16) is a large family car in the D-segment category, featuring a hatchback body style, manufactured by the French automaker Renault from 1965 through 1980 at their facility in Le Havre, France. It holds the distinction of being the first French vehicle to receive the esteemed European Car of the Year accolade.
Market positioning
During the early 1960s, Renault focused on developing compact vehicles such as the hatchback Renault 4 and the rear-engined Renault Dauphine, intending to succeed its larger family model, the Renault Frégate (1951–1960), which saw relatively low production numbers totaling 163,383 units.
Over its 15-year production span, the R16 achieved significant commercial success with a total output of 1,845,959 units. It was well-received throughout Europe, appreciated for its roomy cabin and versatile hatchback configuration. While its presence in the United States market was limited, it enjoyed greater popularity in Canada, where assembly from knock-down kits was carried out by SOMA-Renault until 1974.
Design
The mechanical setup of the R16 bears similarity to that of the Citroën Traction Avant, featuring front-wheel drive, an inline engine positioned behind the transmission, torsion bar suspension, and a column-shift gear lever. Key technical features included an aluminium engine block and an electrically driven cooling fan.
As one of the first mid-size family cars to adopt a hatchback design, the R16 offered seven different interior layouts. This innovative body style created a hybrid between a traditional saloon and an estate, initially making it challenging for automotive press to classify.
A distinctive aspect of the R16 is its asymmetrical rear wheelbase—the left side extends 70 mm longer than the right—to accommodate transverse torsion bar suspension. This design element, combined with cushioned front seats, contributed to a comfortable ride over uneven terrain.
The engine was mounted longitudinally at the front but placed behind the gearbox/transaxle assembly, which helped centralize mass and enhance handling dynamics. Although this north-south gearbox layout improved driving balance, it complicated engine maintenance procedures. The succeeding model, the Renault 20, preserved this setup but relocated the engine ahead of the gearbox for easier servicing.
The column-mounted gear selector allowed for increased space in the front passenger compartment—a relatively uncommon feature in Western European automobiles—made possible by positioning the transmission ahead of the engine.
Model evolution
Mass production commenced in March 1965 at Renault’s newly established factory in Sandouville, near Le Havre. Officially unveiled at the 1965 Geneva Motor Show, the Renault 16 became available in France and most left-hand drive markets by June of that year. It was introduced to the UK market later in 1965 with right-hand drive configuration and quickly emerged as one of Britain's top-selling imported vehicles. The R16 played a key role in expanding foreign car market share in Britain during the 1970s alongside models like the Fiat 127 and first-generation Volkswagen Golf. Renault’s later R5 and R12 also enjoyed strong sales within Britain during this era.
In 1967, Renault launched a budget-oriented variant targeted at commercial use known as the 16 Commerciale, which remained available until approximately 1976.
The R16 was well-equipped relative to its price point. Initially powered by a 1.5-litre (1470 cc) petrol engine producing , it was supplemented in March 1968 by a more powerful 1.6-litre (1565 cc) TS version capable of exceeding . An automatic transmission variant, initially named Renault 16 TA, debuted at the 1969 Geneva Motor Show. The premium TX trim introduced at the 1973 Paris Motor Show featured advanced amenities such as a five-speed manual gearbox, power-operated front windows, and central locking—among Europe's earliest family cars to offer these conveniences.
Sales of both TX and other R16 models were affected by the 1973 oil crisis. The launch of the TX Automatique was postponed to enhance fuel economy. In October 1974, most models replaced their chrome grilles with black plastic versions except for the TX; Sweden maintained chrome grilles with headlight wipers until 1980 due to local regulations. Automatic transmissions were phased out by 1975 while engine updates included adopting a version of the TX’s 1647 cc powerplant for standard models; meanwhile, power output on the 16 L decreased to , enabling use of low-octane fuel. By 1976, the L model was succeeded by a TL variant with identical engine specifications; concurrently, production of the TS ceased.
The American-market Renault 16 Sedan-Wagon debuted late in 1968 for model year 1969 featuring twin sealed beam headlights and modified bumpers extending overall length to . Its engine combined elements from both 1470 cc and 1565 cc units delivering DIN (70 PS SAE) at 5200 rpm. Although sales extended through 1972, they remained modest. In Canada, assembly took place at Renault-SOMA’s Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville plant until 1974 with distinct side marker lights and rear lamps.
Production lasted until 1980—five years after its official replacement by the larger Renault 20. During this period, Renault’s sole offering in this segment within Europe was limited to saloon and estate versions of the Renault 18. By then, hatchbacks had become common among European manufacturers in this class; however many customers still preferred saloons or estates apart from models such as Austin Maxi, Talbot Alpine, and Volkswagen Passat. Renault did not reintroduce a hatchback within this size category until launching a hatchback variant of the Renault 21 in 1989.
The R16 had no direct rivals until the introduction of Alec Issigonis's designed Austin Maxi in 1969; however, that model achieved limited success outside its native UK market.
Renault 16 sedan concept
In 1965, Philippe Charbonneaux created a more conventional sedan version of the Renault 16; however, it never advanced beyond the prototype phase. One of these prototypes is permanently exhibited at the Musée Automobile Reims Champagne located in Reims, France.
Renault 16 coupé cabriolet
A coupé cabriolet variant was developed, but due to the high production costs stemming from mostly unique body components compared to the sedan, the project was ultimately abandoned.
Commentary
In 1970, renowned racing driver Stirling Moss described the Renault 16 as "the most intelligently engineered automobile I have ever encountered," urging British car manufacturers to examine its design closely. Prior to its official release, semi-official media leaks helped generate interest, with L'Auto-Journal providing exclusive coverage in late 1963. In October 1964, coinciding with the Paris Motor Show, Renault published photos of what was then called the "Renault 1500" as a scoop. The vehicle was formally named "Renault 16" and received approval for sale two months later.
Legacy
The Renault 16 earned the title of European Car of the Year in late 1965, becoming not only the third model to receive this honor but also the first French car to achieve this distinction.
Timeline
- August 1964 – Official photographs of the R16 are unveiled for the first time.
- December 2, 1964 – The initial R16 rolls off the production line at Renault's Sandouville plant, a facility dedicated exclusively to this model.
- January 5, 1965 – The Renault 16 makes its debut on the Côte-d'Azur.
- April 1965 – Market launch featuring two versions: Grand Luxe and Super, both equipped with a 1470 cc engine.
- Autumn 1965 – Introduction of right-hand drive models tailored for the UK market.
- 1967 – Updates include enhanced ventilation and heating systems, a redesigned dashboard, and an automatic choke.
- 1968 – Release of the R16 TS fitted with a 1565 cc engine; upgraded instrument cluster with tachometer and temperature gauge; additional features such as two-speed windshield wipers, rear window defroster, passenger reading light, optional sunroof, and electric front windows.
- June 1968 – Commencement of assembly operations in Australia.
- 1969 – TS-spec wheels and brakes become standard across all variants; reversing lights added as standard on TS and offered optionally on other trims.
- 1969 – Debut of the R16 TA featuring an automatic transmission that blends Super trim with select TS equipment.
- 1970 – Front seatbelts become standard equipment on every R16 model.
- 1971 – Facelift introduces rectangular rear lights; Grand Luxe and Super trims replaced by L and TL versions with updated 1565 cc engines; TA discontinued but automatic transmission becomes available throughout the lineup.
- 1973 – Launch of premium R16 TX at Paris Motor Show boasting a 1647 cc engine paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Notable features include quad rectangular headlights, Gordini alloy wheels, rear spoiler, rear wiper, laminated windshield, automatic seatbelts, power windows, central locking system, and optional air conditioning.
- 1974 – Aluminium grille swapped for black plastic on L, TL, and TS models.
- 1975 – Introduction of R20 and R30 models intended as successors to the R16; nonetheless, R16 production continues alongside these new cars.
- 1976 – Automatic transmission option removed from L, TL, and TS trims; TL Automatic variant introduced.
- 1977 – Discontinuation of L and TS versions coincides with launch of Renault R18 targeting a similar customer base.
- 1978 – Reversing lights become standard equipment on all variants.
- 1979 – Rear three-point seatbelts standardized; TL Automatic trim discontinued.
- January 1980 – Production of the R16 concludes after a fifteen-year manufacturing period.