Renault Nervastella
| Company type | Automobile model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Renault Reinastella |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Defunct | 1937 |
| Successor | Renault Suprastella |
| Products | Luxury automobiles |
The Nervastella represented a grand luxury car manufactured by Renault between 1930 and 1937. It gained prominence as an official state vehicle, notably serving the French president during the mid-1930s.
Conceived as a more compact yet technologically sophisticated counterpart to the 1929 Renault Reinastella, the Nervastella boasted a considerable wheelbase, establishing it as a distinguished full-size luxury automobile of its time.
Renault’s model nomenclature in the early 1930s often ended with "-stella", derived from the Latin term for "star." The prefix "Nerva" referred both to a Roman emperor and the Spanish city of Nerva.
Engines
The Nervastella utilized an inline eight-cylinder powerplant, with displacement increasing over its production span. Initially, it featured a 4241 cc engine producing at 3300 rpm. In 1933, the capacity was enlarged to 4825 cc without an increase in power output, followed by a further expansion to 5448 cc in 1935, which slightly boosted performance to .
Evolution
At launch, the Nervastella was available as a four-door "Berline" sedan or a "Coupé de ville." By 1931, the range had grown to include a long-wheelbase "six-light" limousine capable of seating five to seven occupants.
A more affordable variant sharing the same 4241 cc engine, known as the Renault Nervahuit, was introduced at the 1930 Paris Motor Show. Pricing for this torpedo-bodied version started at 48,000 francs, contrasting with the standard Nervastella sedan’s cost of 95,000 francs.
In 1932, Renault unveiled the "Nervastella ZD2," which featured pressed-steel bodies influenced by American design trends and emphasized aerodynamic form—a style gaining popularity at that time. Its standard wheelbase matched that of the longer Vivastella model at , offering configurations such as the five-seat "Berline aérodynamique" priced at 49,000 francs and the seven-seat "Conduite intérieure aérodynamique" at 52,000 francs. Simultaneously, Renault launched the lighter and sportier Renault Nervasport.
To stimulate demand for earlier body styles amid increasing production expenses associated with aerodynamic designs, Renault provided a discount of 2000 francs on orders for previous-year bodywork. Additionally, the Nervastella continued to be available as a chassis for custom coachbuilders.
The last version, designated Nervastella ABM6, debuted at the October 1936 Paris Motor Show. At this point, only the six-light limousine on a wheelbase was offered, powered by a 5448 cc engine rated at . A related model—the Renault Nerva Grand Sport ABM7—featured a shorter wheelbase and was available with select two-door coach and cabriolet bodies.
Production of the Nervastella ceased after 1937, with its successor being the Renault Suprastella.
Types
- TG/TG1/TG2/TG3/TG4 (1,246 units built: 1929–33) - The "TG5" code referred to the Nervasport
- ZD2/ZD4 (318 units produced: 1933–35)
- ACS1/ACS2 (198 units produced: 1935–36)
- ABM4/ABM6 (167 units produced: 1935–37)