Renault 9 and 11
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 25, 1899 in France |
| Headquarters | Boulogne-Billancourt , France |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Website | www |
The Renault 9 and Renault 11 represent a pair of small family car models manufactured by the French automaker Renault from 1981 through 1989. The Renault 9 was offered as a saloon, while the Renault 11 came as a hatchback, both crafted under the design direction of Robert Opron. In North America, these vehicles were produced under license by AMC and marketed as the Renault Alliance and Renault Encore. Production extended in Turkey until the year 2000.
Both models featured front-wheel drive with transversely mounted engines and independent suspension on all wheels. Their engineering excellence was recognized with the 1982 European Car of the Year award. Additionally, the Renault Alliance received Motor Trend Car of the Year honors and was included in Car and Driver's Ten Best list in 1983.
Phases
The Renault 9 experienced three distinct facelifts during its production run, whereas the Renault 11 underwent two major updates. Upon its introduction in 1983, the Renault 11 was distinguished by its unique dual-headlight design, a feature absent on the Renault 9 initially. In 1985, certain higher-spec Renault 9 models (GTS, GTD, TSE, TDE, TXE, GTX) adopted this twin-headlight styling from the Renault 11; lower trims maintained the original single-headlight layout. The Renault 9 Broadway series also incorporated the four-headlight front end seen on early Renault 11 versions. The aerodynamic enhancements introduced with Phase 2 in 1987 brought a unified front-end appearance to both models, leaving only minor differences at the rear.
The last update, known as Phase 3, emerged in Turkey in 1997 featuring rounded headlights and taillights along with oval-shaped bumper and boot lid trim for a refreshed aesthetic. This design traced back to a facelift performed in Taiwan in 1993 on the "Renault Luxmore." Turkish-produced vehicles sported both "Broadway" and Renault 9 badging; "Broadway" had previously been assigned to special editions within earlier phases.
Overview
The Renault 9 launched in October 1981 as a four-door saloon model (with right-hand drive versions arriving in the UK from March 1982), followed by the Renault 11 hatchback debuting in early 1983 (UK market introduction occurred in June). Both vehicles were developed under project code L42 and designed by Robert Opron, aimed at filling the market gap between the smaller Renault 5 and the larger Renault 14.
Opron chose a conservative three-box silhouette to attract traditional buyers and avoid criticism faced by the controversial Renault 14 styling. The relatively tall roofline enhanced cabin space significantly. For UK customers, engine options ranged from 1.1 to 1.4 liters delivering between 60 and 72 PS.
Renault committed substantial resources to development involving over five hundred employees, dedicating approximately fourteen and a half million hours to research and testing activities. Forty-four prototypes were constructed, accumulating over two million kilometers of test driving.
From a mechanical standpoint, Renault replaced the PSA-Renault "Suitcase" gearbox with its proprietary Cléon engine coupled with an end-on transmission layout. This configuration alongside its suspension setup established a mechanical foundation that influenced small Renault cars for about fifteen years.
The Renault 9 received the prestigious European Car of the Year accolade in 1982. Its North American counterpart, sold as the Alliance, earned placement on Car and Driver's Ten Best list in 1983 and won Motor Trend Car of the Year that same year. The Renault 11 TSE Electronic introduced an innovative synthetic voice trip computer ahead of competitors when launched in 1983.
Although marketed separately with distinct body styles—the sedan form for the Renault 9 and hatchback for the Renault 11—both shared identical platforms, effectively succeeding the Renault 14. The square twin-headlight front of the Renault 11 was first seen on the Alliance and later adopted for late-1985 model year Renault 9s.
Styling cues from the upscale executive Renault 25 influenced the Renault 11’s design including wraparound rear windows and a hooded dashboard that offered optional digital instrumentation and voice synthesis trip computer—features absent from the more straightforward interior of the conservative Renault 9. Both models underwent Phase 2 facelifts across Europe for model year 1987 featuring refreshed front-end styling and updated interiors. At January’s Brussels Motor Show in 1985, Renault unveiled a light commercial variant named 11 Société based on a three-door hatchback chassis but replacing rear seats with a cargo platform.
In North America, AMC marketed a version of this car as Renault Alliance bearing AMC badges. From 1982 until AMC’s acquisition by Chrysler in late-1987, AMC produced over six hundred thousand units including four-door sedans, two-door sedans with raised rear wheel arches, plus convertibles beginning in 1984.
Production of these models ceased in France by late-1989 following introduction of their successor—the Renault 19—but continued internationally until Turkish assembly ended around two decades after initial launch.
Competition
The high-performance Renault 11 Turbo was actively campaigned by Renault Sport during Group A competition at the World Rally Championship in 1987. French driver Alain Oreille achieved notable success including victory within Group N at the Rallye Monte Carlo in 1985 and winning Group A there in 1986 while finishing eighth overall. The Turbo also secured podium finishes—second and third—in Portuguese and San Remo rallies respectively during ’87 with Jean Ragnotti behind the wheel. It claimed multiple national titles such as Polish Rally Championships (1985 & ’88) plus Swiss and Portuguese rally crowns in ’87. Oreille’s fourth-place overall finish at Monte Carlo ’88 marked one of its last significant results.
Engines
At introduction, both vehicles utilized aging overhead valve Cléon-Fonte engines available in either 1.1 or 1.4-liter displacements paired with relatively basic suspension systems that received mixed reviews. Exceptions were hot hatch variants 9 Turbo and 11 Turbo, which incorporated turbocharged powerplants derived from those used on the Renault 5 Turbo.
The C1E engine displacing 1.1 liters was exclusive to Renault 9 models plus three-door R11 versions; five-door R11 TC and GTC trims gained access to a larger C1G unit of approximately 1.2 liters starting from model year ’85. Following Phase 2 updates, production discontinued use of C1E engines leaving C1G as smallest displacement option across both lines.
Introduced as a three-door hatchback emphasizing comfort rather than outright sportiness compared to rivals like Peugeot’s GTi or even its own sibling R5 Turbo, the R11 Turbo initially delivered moderate performance but later versions produced up to 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) power output; rally-prepped variants reached outputs near 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp).
Starting late ’83, new F-type engines co-developed with Volvo appeared as twin-carbureted units sized at roughly 1721 cc (F2N), powering premium trims such as GTX, GTE, TXE, and TXE Electronic editions primarily aimed at American markets but also appealing increasingly to European tastes.
Fuel injection became standard on later iterations enhancing efficiency and emissions compliance. Despite modest horsepower figures for North American Alliance/Encore versions relative to competitors, these cars offered superior ride quality and handling characteristics while spawning their own dedicated SCCA spec racing series known as Alliance Cup.
Line-up
- C, TC – Engine: 1.1 L (1,108 cc); Power: 48 PS (35 kW)
- GTC – Engine:1.2 L (1,237 cc); Power: 55 PS (40 kW)
- TL, GTL, TLE – Engine:1.4 L (1,397 cc); Power: 60 PS (44 kW)
- GTL – Engine:1.4 L (1,397 cc); Power: 68 PS (50 kW)
- GTS, TSE – Engine:1.4 L (1,397 cc); Power: 72 PS (53 kW)
- TX - Engine:1.7 L (1,721 cc); Power: 75 PS (55 kW)
- TXE – Engine:1.7 L (1,721 cc); Power: 82 PS (60 kW)
- GTX – Engine:1.7 L (1,721 cc); Power: 90 PS (66 kW)
- GTE – Engine:1.7 L (1,721 cc); Power: 95 PS (70 kW)
- Turbo – Engine:1.4 L (1,397 cc); Power: 105 or 115 PS (77 or 85 kW)
- TD, GTD, TDE – Engine:1.6 L (1,595 cc); Power: 55 PS (40 kW)
Global Variants
Argentina
Manufacture of the Renault 11 took place between October ’84 and December ’94 at Renault Argentina’s facility located in Santa Isabel, Córdoba. Available trims included GTL, RL, RN, TR, TS, TSE, TXE powered by locally produced M1400 engines developed by Renault Argentina later CIADEA involvement followed suit. Production of Renault 9 commenced from ’87 until ’97 offering similar trim levels plus an additional larger displacement engine option at around one point six liters capacity. According to ADEFA statistics total output reached approximately144 thousand units for R9s alongside nearly eighty thousand R11s produced locally; R9 remains widely popular throughout Argentine urban centers.
A common issue affecting all R9/R11 units manufactured within Argentina as well as those assembled in Colombia or Turkey involved deterioration of dashboard materials due to ultraviolet exposure causing cracking over time.
Colombia
SOFASA initiated assembly of Renault 9 models starting ’83 featuring base GTL trim equipped with a roughly1400 cc powerplant delivering about60 PS output initially; subsequent entry-level versions downsized engine capacity to1300 cc coinciding with introduction of better-equipped GTS trim carrying1400 cc units launched circa ’85.
Facelifted European-style versions marketed under Gama2 badge included TL (1300 cc) arriving ’87 followed by TSE (also1300 cc) plus GTX (1400 cc) trims introduced ’88 boasting upgrades such as power windows aerodynamic spoiler enhancements alongside improved interior finishes; top-tier TXE variant debuted ’89 incorporating revised lighting power mirrors plus infrared remote locking technology while limited-run Prestige edition appeared same year featuring leather upholstery alloy wheels.
By ’92 production shifted focus onto three configurations named Brío (1300 cc), Súper (mid-range), Máximo (1600 cc). Brío was renamed Brío RN during ’95 model year distinguishing it from more advanced Brío RT alongside high-performance Óptimo editions.
Mid-’96 saw launch of Personnalité customization program enabling buyers via dealer software tools to tailor engines accessories within budget constraints; facelift implemented next year introduced fuel injection power steering alongside revamped cabin design.
After sixteen years exceeding115 thousand units assembled—a record volume for any automobile within Colombian automotive history then—the R9 was phased out replaced by newer family-oriented models such as Renault19 alongside Mégane series marking end of an era locally.
Taiwan
Between years’83–’96 Sanfu Motors undertook assembly operations for both models within Taiwan territory introducing automatic transmission option early ’85 alongside launch of five-door R11 initially restricted to sportier GTX trim fitted with1721 cc F2NA engine rated at95 PS output level.By April ’86 facelifted R9 adopted twin-headlight frontal styling mirroring R11 while GTX variant was succeeded by TXE trim offering similar mechanicals.From October same year R11 GTS gained smaller1397 cc engine formerly exclusive to R9 reducing sporty character whereas R9 TXE incorporated larger1700 cc unit.Phase3 facelift arrived September’87 bringing updated external styling cues.
Following cessation of French production circa’89 Sanfu sourced components from Argentina Colombia lowering manufacturing costs though adversely impacting build quality thereby affecting brand reputation locally.Introduction of successor model19 during’90 led to discontinuation of R11 assembly sales ended February’91.In1993 facelifted version named Renault Luxmore (雷諾銀鑽) launched featuring redesigned front fascia taillights borrowed from19 Chamade plus interior adapted from19 lineup powered by modern SOHC Energy engine displacing1400 cc producing72 PS output.Ending production’96 this facelifted front design later inspired Turkish Phase4 update debuted’97 onward.
Turkey
Manufactured locally by Oyak-Renault at Bursa plant starting’85,the original “Phase1” design persisted until’93.Phase2 styling updates were not produced domestically although minor incremental changes occurred.Diesel GTD variant joined petrol-powered GTL lineup’86 marking Turkey’s first diesel passenger car offering.Petrol GTC introduced’87 followed by Broadway replacing GTL’88 alongside Broadway GTE variant.GTC discontinued’91 replaced by base model producing between60–72 PS.Powertrain upgrades arrived April’93 introducing Phase2 facelift front end; Broadway equipped with72 PS1400 cc engine replaced earlier versions while80 PS Fairway powered by Argentinian C2L1600 cc unit fitted twin-barrel Weber carburetor joined range.Fairway received cosmetic updates’94 but discontinued mid-’96 due to declining demand.
In1997 modernized Phase3 variant rebranded Renault Broadway remained available until2000.From’96 onward sole1400 cc engine gained fuel injection meeting European emission standards initially badged RNi later renamed as14i delivering80 PS output.
Five-door R11 assembly began’87 offering14-liter GTS trim followed next year by more potent92 PS17-liter TXE “11 Flash” edition though three-door hatchbacks never assembled locally.Special editions honored football clubs including limited500-unit “Flash Galatasaray” released’89 plus “Fenerbahçe” edition’90 both featuring club colors exclusive equipment.Phase3 facelift arrived’93 replacing GTS with16-liter Rainbow aligning with Fairway powertrain while upgraded “11 Flash S” added Turbo-inspired exterior elements CMS Speedline wheels boosted output103 PS.Renault11 production ceased Turkey’95.
United States and Canada
The subcompact Renault Alliance was produced under license by American Motors Corporation for North American markets between1983–87 including three- and five-door hatchback variants marketed as Renault Encore starting1984.In final production year AMC introduced limited-run GTA Sedan/Convertible equipped with larger2.0 L engine sport-tuned suspension aerodynamic body kit designed by Zender GmbH plus Ronal alloy wheels.The Encore nameplate changed to Alliance Hatchback during final year.
Production terminated following Chrysler’s acquisition of AMC late-1987 totaling623,573 units manufactured across all body styles.
In culture
A Renault 11 TXE taxi features prominently in the 1985 James Bond movie "A View to a Kill". The stunt sequence, masterminded by coordinator Rémy Julienne, involves the Renault 11’s roof being ripped away and the vehicle being cleaved in half following a crash with a Renault 20.