Renault 30

Renault
Industry	Automotive
Founded	February 25, 1899; 127 years ago in France
Headquarters	Boulogne-Billancourt, France
Products	Automobiles, including Renault 20 and Renault 30 executive cars

The Renault 20 (R20) and Renault 30 (R30) represent a range of executive vehicles manufactured by the French carmaker Renault from 1975 through 1984. Positioned as Renault’s most luxurious and expensive offerings at the time, these models shared almost identical bodywork and mechanical components; however, the R30 was distinguished by a more powerful engine and a higher price tag. The two were visually differentiated by their headlight arrangements—the R20 featured a pair of single rectangular headlights, whereas the R30 was equipped with four round headlights. Significant differences were also present in interior appointments, with the R30 consistently providing a more upscale trim level. Production volumes reached over 622,000 units for the R20 and approximately 145,000 units for the R30 at Renault’s Sandouville facility near Le Havre, France.

In 1978, the Renault 20 earned the prestigious What Car? "Car of the Year" accolade.

Despite its premium market positioning, the Renault 30 experienced rapid value depreciation; for example, a 30 TX Automatic that cost £11,950 in May 1984 depreciated to an estimated trade value of £3,450 by June 1986.

Introduction

Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1975, the Renault 30 TS marked Renault’s flagship model and was notable as the first post-war Renault equipped with an engine exceeding four cylinders. It was among the earliest vehicles to utilize the 2664 cc PRV V6 powerplant—a collaborative development between Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo—delivering and achieving a top speed of . The hatchback design drew inspiration from the successful Renault 16 model.

The more budget-friendly Renault 20, launched at the Paris Salon in November 1975, shared the hatchback body style of the R30 but differed by having two rectangular headlights instead of four round ones. Essentially serving as a larger successor to the Renault 16, it was powered by a smaller 1647 cc four-cylinder engine producing . The R20 came equipped with rear drum brakes, 13-inch wheels, and a fuel tank capacity of 60 litres. Offered in L, TL, and GTL trims, it functioned essentially as a badge-engineered counterpart to the R30. In November 1979, Renault introduced its first diesel power unit—a new 2068 cc engine—for installation in the R20.

Both vehicles incorporated advanced safety features for their era, such as front and rear crumple zones along with side impact protection. Early production models were fitted with distinctive door handles that folded downward but these were replaced by conventional handles in August 1976 for the subsequent (1977) model year.

Market Performance

Both versions faced challenges related to reliability and mechanical defects that often led to expensive repairs, which contributed to significant depreciation especially within markets like the United Kingdom. Rust was a major concern; a survey conducted among Belgian owners revealed that 70% identified corrosion as their primary issue. In response, Renault enhanced corrosion protection measures and introduced a five-year rust warranty starting in January 1982.

Outside France, Renault had difficulty gaining traction in higher market segments. Factors such as hatchback styling, engines designed primarily to comply with French tax restrictions resulting in moderate performance, and perceived quality problems limited export success. More than 63% of total production remained within France. Assembly from complete knock-down kits occurred in countries including Venezuela (R30 TS between 1979 and 1984), Australia (R20 TS from 1979 to 1981), and Thailand (1979–1980). Although not officially marketed in the United States, approximately 426 units of the R30 were imported into Canada.

In Argentina, Renault positioned the R30 as an upscale alternative competing against models like the Ford Granada, Citroën CX, Mercedes-Benz W123, and Toyota Crown during the years from 1979 to 1982, mainly offered in TS V6 and TX variants.

The Renault 30 also served as President François Mitterrand's official vehicle during his election campaigns starting in 1979 and during his early years in office until he transitioned to using the Renault 25 in 1984.

Modifications

Shortly after its release, the Renault 20 was criticized for lacking sufficient power relative to its dimensions, whereas the Renault 30 was viewed as overly expensive for a comparable vehicle. To remedy this, the R20TS was introduced, equipped with 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 was widely regarded as a notable enhancement. In October 1978, the R30 TX was launched as a more upscale fuel-injected version of the R30 TS, followed by the debut of the R20 Diesel towards the end of 1979. By late 1981, production of all 1.6-litre R20 variants ceased, leaving the LS 2.0 as the base model.

In 1980, the NG1 five-speed gearbox was superseded by the longer-geared and smoother-shifting 395 unit. July of that year marked the arrival of the 2.2-litre fuel-injected R20 TX, with the R30 Turbo Diesel following in 1981. The R30 Diesel Turbo combined R30 TX trim features with distinctive alloy wheels and a turbocharged diesel engine. Beginning in early 1982, this engine option was also made available in the R20 within France. The lineup underwent a facelift for the 1981 model year. Production concluded on 16 October 1983 to make room for the Renault 25.

Chronology

March 1975 – Debut of the Renault 30 TS, a large five-door hatchback powered by a 2664 cc V6 PRV engine, jointly developed by Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo. Transmission options included a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic. Standard equipment featured power steering, four round Quartz-Iodide headlights, electric front windows, and central locking.
October 1975 – Release of the Renault 20 in L, TL, and GTL trims, powered by a smaller four-cylinder 1647 cc () engine paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. Unlike the R30 TS’s four round headlights, all R20 models sported two rectangular headlights. The L trim offered basic features without hubcaps; TL provided enhanced amenities; GTL matched the equipment level of the TS. Automatic transmission was optional on TL and GTL versions.
1976 – Power output of the R20’s 1647 cc engine increased to .
August 1976 – The updated R1275 replaced the original R30 TS, featuring minor engine revisions, grey headlight surrounds, a redesigned fuel filler lid, and conventional door handles; V6 power decreased from to .
July 1977 – Introduction of R20 TS with a new 1995 cc engine rated at , available with either manual or automatic transmission; equipment similar to that found on the R20 GTL.
Late 1977/Early 1978 – Discontinuation of the R20 L due to poor sales; all models received redesigned instrument panel visors and optional steel wheels fitted with Michelin TRX tyres.
October 1978 – Launch of R30 TX featuring Bosch K-Jetronic fuel-injected V6 engine, available with either five-speed manual or automatic transmission. Enhancements included alloy wheels, electric windows on all doors, electric sunroof, velour upholstery, and front and rear headrests.
1979 – Updates added driver’s rear fog light and rear seat belts; R20 TS received an upgraded cooling fan and an optional five-speed gearbox; R30 TS engine power increased to ; introduction of R20 LS combining R20 TS mechanical components with TL-level features.
November 1979 – Debut of R20 Diesel (TD and GTD) equipped with a new 2,068 cc diesel engine, five-speed gearbox, negative offset front suspension, and larger wheels. The TD matched TL/LS trim levels; GTD corresponded to TS trim plus power steering.
1980 – Interior refreshed with dashboard and instrument panel borrowed from Renault Fuego; all petrol models gained an automatic transmission option; alternator upgrades applied to TL/GTL trims; wheel rim designs updated across models; chrome grille surround added to R30 TS/TX.
July 1980 – Introduction of R20 LS and R20 TX featuring a new 2165 cc engine rated at .
1981 – All R20 variants equipped with dual-circuit brakes and negative offset front suspension; discontinuation of R20 GTL left TL as sole model with smaller engine; R30 TX received new bumpers and computer-controlled cruise control.
July 1981 – Release of turbodiesel version R30 Turbo D.
September–Late 1981 – Phasing out of R20 TL followed by discontinuation of R30 TS.
16 October 1983 — Production ended for Renault 20 and Renault 30 models, 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

Beginning in 1979, the Renault 30 TS was manufactured in Venezuela. This model included the carbureted PRV V6 engine and was available with either a four-speed manual gearbox or an automatic transmission. Production totaled 748 units.

Dacia (Romania)

Between 1979 and 1985, the Romanian state-owned company Dacia produced a limited number of Renault 20 models under the name Dacia 2000. These vehicles were mainly allocated to government officials and secret police during Nicolae Ceauşescu's administration. They were equipped with the 2-liter engine from the R20 TS.

Motorsport achievements

In 1982, a modified Renault 20 Turbo 4x4, piloted by Bernard Marreau and outfitted with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine alongside four-wheel drive, secured victory at the Paris-Alger-Dakar Rally.

References

External links