Renault R16
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | February 25, 1899 in France |
| Headquarters | Boulogne-Billancourt , France |
| Products | Automobiles, commercial vehicles |
| Website | www |
The Renault 16 (R16) is a large family car hatchback manufactured by the French company Renault between 1965 and 1980 at their facility in Le Havre, France. It holds the distinction of being the first French automobile to receive the esteemed European Car of the Year accolade.
Market positioning
During the early 1960s, Renault's lineup primarily consisted of smaller vehicles such as the hatchback Renault 4 and the rear-engine Renault Dauphine. The company sought a replacement for its larger family car, the Renault Frégate (produced from 1951 to 1960), which had relatively modest sales totaling 163,383 units.
Over a production span of 15 years, the R16 achieved commercial success with nearly 1.85 million units manufactured. It gained popularity throughout Europe due to its roomy cabin and pioneering hatchback concept. While its presence in the United States market was limited, it enjoyed greater acceptance in Canada, where SOMA-Renault assembled it from knock-down kits until 1974.
Design
The mechanical setup of the R16 shared similarities with the Citroën Traction Avant, featuring front-wheel drive, an inline engine positioned behind the transmission, torsion bar suspension, and a column-mounted gear selector. Noteworthy technical features included an aluminium engine block and an electrically driven cooling fan.
This model was among the first to introduce a hatchback body style within the mid-size family car category, offering up to seven different interior layouts. Its design combined elements typical of both saloon and estate cars, resulting in a highly adaptable vehicle that stood out in its segment.
A unique characteristic was its asymmetric rear wheelbase—the left side extended 70 mm longer than the right—to accommodate the transverse torsion bar suspension system. Paired with cushioned front seats, this arrangement contributed to a comfortable ride even on uneven terrain.
The engine’s longitudinal placement ahead of the gearbox helped improve handling by centralizing mass. However, this configuration made maintenance more challenging; its successor, the Renault 20, retained this layout but moved the engine forward of the transmission for easier servicing.
The column-mounted gear lever freed up space in the front cabin—a feature uncommon in Western European vehicles—and was made possible by positioning the transmission ahead of the engine.
Model evolution
Mass production commenced in March 1965 at Renault’s new plant in Sandouville, near Le Havre. The Renault 16 debuted at the 1965 Geneva Motor Show and became available for sale in France and most left-hand drive countries by June. It entered right-hand drive markets like the UK later that year, quickly becoming one of Britain’s top imported cars and helping elevate foreign brands alongside competitors such as the Fiat 127 and first-generation Volkswagen Golf. Renault’s later models, including the R5 and R12, also achieved strong sales in Britain throughout the 1970s.
In 1967, Renault launched the 16 Commerciale, a more basic version targeted at commercial use, which remained available until approximately 1976.
The initial trim levels were well-equipped relative to price. The entry-level model housed a 1.5-litre (1470 cc) petrol engine delivering . At the March 1968 Geneva Motor Show, a more powerful 1.6-litre (1565 cc) TS variant was introduced, producing over . Early in 1969, an automatic transmission variant named Renault 16 TA was added. The premium TX model arrived at the October 1973 Paris Motor Show, featuring a five-speed manual gearbox along with power-operated front windows and central locking—among Europe's first family cars to offer these amenities.
The launch and sales of the TX trim were impacted by the 1973 oil crisis. The release of the TX Automatique was postponed to enhance fuel economy to match that of manual versions. In October 1974, most models replaced their chrome grilles with black plastic ones; however, this change excluded the TX variant. Due to local regulations, Sweden continued offering a chrome grille version equipped with headlight wipers until 1980. By 1975, automatic transmissions were phased out; engines were updated using a version of the TX's 1647 cc unit. Power output for the base 16 L dropped to , suitable for low-octane fuels. In 1976, this L model was succeeded by a TL variant retaining the same engine; meanwhile, production of the TS ceased.
The Renault 16 Sedan-Wagon intended for North America debuted late in 1968 as a 1969 model year vehicle. It featured twin sealed beam headlights and redesigned bumpers that increased overall length to . Its engine combined elements from both base and TS versions, producing DIN (70 PS SAE). Although sales continued until 1972, volumes remained modest. The R16 was also imported into Canada and assembled at Renault-SOMA’s Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville facility until 1974; Canadian versions sported unique side marker lights and taillight designs.
Production continued until 1980—five years after launching its larger successor, the Renault 20. During this period, Renault’s mid-size range in Europe was supplemented by saloon and estate versions like those from Renault 18. By then, most European manufacturers offered hatchbacks within this segment; however, many still produced traditional saloons or estates except for models such as the Austin Maxi, Talbot Alpine, and Volkswagen Passat. Renault did not re-enter this hatchback category until introducing a hatchback variant of the Renault 21 in 1989.
Until its competitor—the Alec Issigonis-designed Austin Maxi—appeared in 1969 with limited success outside Britain, the R16 faced no direct rivals in its class.
Renault 16 sedan concept
In 1965, Philippe Charbonneaux crafted a more conventional sedan iteration of the Renault 16, which remained at the prototype stage. One of these prototypes is on permanent exhibit at the Musée Automobile Reims Champagne located in Reims, France.
Renault 16 coupé cabriolet
A coupé cabriolet version was developed; however, its production was canceled due to the excessive costs associated with manufacturing body components that differed from the standard saloon.
Commentary
In 1970, renowned racing driver Stirling Moss described the Renault 16 as "the most intelligently engineered automobile" he had experienced and advised British car manufacturers to study its design closely.
Before the official launch, Renault engaged in controlled media leaks. In late 1963, L'Auto-Journal revealed exclusive information, and in October 1964, aligned with the Paris Motor Show, Renault published images of the then-called "Renault 1500" to stir public interest. The vehicle was officially designated as the "Renault 16" and authorized for sale two months afterward.
Legacy
The Renault 16 earned the European Car of the Year distinction in late 1965, becoming the third model to receive this honor and marking the first time a French manufacturer achieved this award.
Timeline
- August 1964 – Official photographs of the R16 are first published.
- December 2, 1964 – The initial R16 rolls off the production line at Renault’s Sandouville plant, a facility established exclusively for this model.
- January 5, 1965 – The Renault 16 is officially revealed on the Côte-d'Azur.
- April 1965 – Market introduction with two variants: Grand Luxe and Super, both equipped with a 1470 cc engine.
- Autumn 1965 – Launch of right-hand drive versions tailored for the UK market.
- 1967 – Upgrades include improved ventilation and heating systems, redesigned dashboard, and availability of an automatic choke.
- 1968 – Debut of the R16 TS featuring a 1565 cc engine, enhanced instrument cluster with tachometer and temperature gauge, plus added amenities such as two-speed wipers, rear window defroster, passenger reading light, optional sunroof, and powered front windows.
- June 1968 – Commencement of assembly operations in Australia.
- 1969 – TS wheels and braking systems standardized across other trims; reversing lights become standard on TS models and optional on others.
- 1969 – Introduction of the R16 TA automatic transmission variant combining attributes from both Super and TS versions.
- 1970 – Front seatbelts become standard equipment across all R16 models.
- 1971 – Minor facelift introduces rectangular rear lights; Grand Luxe and Super trims replaced by L and TL, both now powered by a 1565 cc engine with a revised cylinder head; TA discontinued; automatic transmission offered as an option throughout the lineup.
- 1973 – The upscale R16 TX launches at the Paris Motor Show featuring a 1647 cc engine paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Exterior highlights include four rectangular headlights and prominent turn signals. Equipment upgrades comprise Gordini alloy wheels, rear spoiler, rear windshield wiper, laminated windshield glass, automatic seatbelts, power windows, central locking system, and optional air conditioning.
- 1974 – Aluminium grilles on L, TL, and TS models replaced by black plastic versions.
- 1975 – Introduction of R20 and R30 models designed to succeed the R16; however, R16 production continues alongside them.
- 1976 – Automatic transmission option withdrawn from L, TL, and TS trims; TL Automatic variant introduced.
- 1977 – Discontinuation of L and TS trims coincides with release of R18 saloon aimed at R16 clientele.
- 1978 – Reversing lights become standard across all variants.
- 1979 – Rear three-point seatbelts made standard; TL Automatic trim discontinued.
- January 1980 – Production concludes after a fifteen-year run.