Renault PN
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 25, 1899 in France |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Automobiles, buses, trucks |
| Website | www |
The Renault PN is a bus model manufactured by the French company Renault from 1926 until 1930, specifically designed for public transportation in Paris. Its counterpart for suburban service was known as the Renault PY.
History
In 1926, the Société des transports en commun de la région parisienne (STCRP), which later evolved into the RATP, placed a significant order with Renault after initially acquiring a smaller batch of KX Express buses. This first contract comprised 50 Renault PN buses with low-floor rear entry, of which 47 units were delivered. From 1927 through 1930, a total of 330 PN buses were supplied, remaining operational well into the 1950s.
Renault introduced the PY model in 1929 targeting suburban routes, producing 25 vehicles that were phased out by 1939.
Technical details
The PN and PY models are both equipped with a 5.03-litre flathead inline-four engine, delivering power ranging from at 1,000 rpm to at 1,500 rpm. The radiator is located behind the engine. The length varies between (PY) and (PN), with a consistent width of and a wheelbase of . The rear axle features dual wheels; early versions utilized solid rubber tires, which were later replaced with pneumatic tires to enhance passenger comfort. A 4-speed manual transmission is paired with a cone clutch initially, which was later upgraded to a disc clutch in subsequent versions. The PN model can accommodate up to 39 passengers.
A primary difference between the two lies in their chassis configurations: the PN employs a forward control design with the driver positioned above the engine and a low rear entry platform, whereas the PY uses a conventional setup placing the driver behind the engine and featuring a side-front passenger door.