Renault ACx and ADx
| Company type | Commercial vehicles |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Defunct | 1940 |
| Products | Light to medium-duty trucks, buses |
| Parent | Renault |
The Renault ACx and ADx series comprises light to medium-duty trucks produced by Renault from 1935 until 1940, with certain variants adapted for use as buses.
History and technical details
Starting in 1936, Renault's commercial vehicle lineup adopted design elements typical of passenger cars, including a rounded cabin shape, a V-shaped grille extending beneath the bonnet, and horizontal ventilation slits on the engine compartment.
Renault ADV
Manufactured between 1936 and 1938, the Renault ADV is a light truck designed for a 0.5-tonne load capacity, succeeding the commercial YN version of the Renault Monaquatre. It is powered by a 1.46-litre inline-four petrol engine shared with its predecessor and the Renault Celtaquatre, initially delivering power at 3,350 rpm, which was increased in 1937. The chassis features a wheelbase of , width of , and overall length of . The drivetrain includes a 3-speed manual transmission, while the suspension combines hydraulic shock absorbers with longitudinal springs at the front and transverse springs at the rear. A right-hand drive model known as ADV2 was produced for markets such as the United Kingdom. Retailing at in France, it was priced competitively below Citroën’s comparable offering while providing slightly higher payload capacity.
Renaults ADZ, ACZ and ADK
The ADZ, ACZ, and ADK models succeeded the KZ, OS, and PR series as closely related light trucks equipped with Renault’s 2.38-litre inline-four petrol engine 85, which produces power at 3,000 rpm. This engine remained in use within Renault’s light commercial range through the 1950s. All feature a manually operated single-plate clutch; however, the ACZ and ADK are distinguished by dual rear wheels and reinforced suspension systems compared to the ADZ. The ADK model is unique in offering servomechanical braking. Transmission options vary: the ACZ and ADK employ a 4-speed manual gearbox, whereas the ADZ uses a 3-speed manual. A right-hand drive variant (ADZ2) was available for the ADZ. Payload capacities are rated at 0.8 tonnes for the ADZ, 1.3 tonnes for the ACZ, and up to 2 tonnes for the ADK. Production periods were from 1935 to 1939 for the ACZ; from 1936 to 1937 for the ADZ before being replaced by the AFR; and from 1936 to 1938 for the ADK before it was succeeded by the AGC.
Renault ADH
The Renault ADH is a light truck designed to carry loads ranging from 1 to 2.5 tonnes. It is powered either by a 4-litre inline-four petrol engine producing 65 PS at 2,200 rpm or a 4.3-litre inline-four diesel engine (ADHD) delivering 45 PS at 1,800 rpm, both paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. Offered in both long and short wheelbase configurations, the military version primarily utilized the shorter variant featuring a wheelbase of 3430 mm, an overall length of 5520 mm, and width of 2200 mm. The military-spec petrol engine was slightly detuned to produce 62 PS at 2,350 rpm and included a 5-speed gearbox. In 1940, the ADH underwent a grille redesign from an aerodynamic style to a more straightforward rectangular shape.
Renault ADR
The Renault ADR represented Renault’s final non-forward control truck within its class rated for a payload of approximately 3.5 tonnes. It came with two engine choices: a 4-litre inline-four petrol unit producing 65 PS at 2,200 rpm or a 4.3-litre inline-four diesel (ADRD) generating 45 PS at 1,800 rpm; both engines were mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. The ADR was eventually phased out in favor of the AGR model.
Buses ADJ and ADN
The Renault ADN bus/coach utilized the same family’s 2.38-litre engine found in the ADZ/ACZ/ADK trucks and could seat up to fourteen passengers. Meanwhile, the ADJ bus/coach was available with either a four-litre petrol or a larger four-point-seven-litre diesel engine option and accommodated up to twenty-three passengers.
Heavy vehicles
Introduced in 1937, the ADS and ADT were heavy-duty forward control trucks with payload capacities of 6.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes respectively, setting them apart from other variants. Both models debuted at the 1936 Paris Salon, equipped with robust 12.5-litre diesel engines. By the end of 1937, these trucks were succeeded by the AGx series, which maintained a comparable design approach.