Renault Vivasport
| Company type | Automobile model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | September 1933 |
| Defunct | February 1938 |
| Headquarters | Boulogne-Billancourt , France |
| Products | Executive-class cars |
The Renault Vivasport was an executive-class vehicle equipped with a six-cylinder engine, introduced by Renault in September 1933 and manufactured until April 1935. A variant with a larger engine was produced from December 1934 through February 1938. During the 1930s, Renault frequently implemented model revisions and aesthetic enhancements.
Concept
The "sport" label represented a deliberate approach that merged the more powerful engine from the Renault Vivastella with the shorter chassis of the Renault Primastella, aiming to boost performance. Initially, the Vivasport reached a maximum speed of 125 km/h (77 mph).
1933 launch
The initial "YZ1" version of the Vivasport was unveiled in July 1933, equipped with an enlarged 3620cc engine that would later be used in the Vivastella starting in 1934. Only 21 units of the YZ1 were manufactured before the introduction of the "YZ2" model in September 1933, which was featured at the 27th Paris Motor Show. Production between September 1933 and October 1934 totaled 2,172 vehicles.
At the Paris Motor Show, founder Louis Renault highlighted innovation by presenting a "berline" bodied Vivasport cut in half, revealing its mechanical workings and interior structure. This unusual exhibit drew considerable interest and underscored Renault’s engineering prowess.
Description
Displayed at the 27th Paris Motor Show, the Vivasport was powered by a 3,620 cc side-valve six-cylinder engine classified within the 21CV tax bracket, delivering an advertised output of 80hp at 3,000 rpm. It rode on a wheelbase and primarily came as sedan/saloon models, which Renault described using various "aérodynamique" style labels. In October 1933, prices ranged from 35,000 francs for the four-door "Berline aérodynamique" to 40,400 francs for the elegant five-seat two-door convertible "Coach décapotable". While Renault competed with brands such as Peugeot and Citroën in smaller vehicle segments, the Vivasport occupied a niche challenged by more prestigious manufacturers. For instance, Delage offered eight-cylinder models in this tax category but at considerably higher price points. At the same exhibition, Hotchkiss showcased their updated "Type 620," featuring a 3,500 cc six-cylinder overhead valve engine rated at 20CV; their chassis alone cost 40,000 francs, with their most affordable "Berline" body priced at 49,800 francs.
A bargain-price six-cylinder "berline" for the 1937 model year
By October 1936’s 30th Paris Motor Show, Renault had launched the Viva Grand Sport (introduced in 1935) and reintroduced the Vivasport under the designation "Type BCT1". The engine capacity grew to 4,085 cc in December 1934, placing it within the 23CV tax category and producing up to 95 HP. The wheelbase remained largely unchanged; however, only one body style—a four-door "Berline sans malle" (saloon without a rear trunk hatch)—was available. This steel-bodied model maintained aerodynamic design traits but omitted features such as rear wheel covers found on other Renault six-cylinder saloons. Priced competitively at 26,900 francs in October 1936, it offered an accessible option within six-cylinder performance cars.
While volume leaders like Peugeot and Citroën did not target this segment, premium French brands such as Delage and Hotchkiss positioned their models at much higher costs. A new rival appeared through the Matford collaboration (between Mathis and Ford) with the Matford V8-76—a locally adapted Ford V8 delivering 90hp within the same tax bracket—offered at a price of 33,900 francs for a "Berline" version.
The last version of the Vivasport ("Type BCY2") was introduced in October 1937 but experienced reduced production volumes; only 181 units were completed before manufacturing ceased in February 1938.
Types
| Model | Project code | Cylinders/ engine displacement |
Power output HP @ rpm |
Approximate top speed | Production timeframe month/year |
Number built | Launch price (FF) |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivasport | YZ1 | 6/ 3,620 |
85 @ 3,000 rpm | 125 km/h (78 mph) |
07/1933-10/1933 | 21 | 35,000 | 4-door saloon/sedan |
| YZ2 | 09/1933-10/1934 | 2,172 | - | |||||
| YZ4 | 09/1934-04/1935 | 1,028 | - | |||||
| ACM1 | 6/ 4,085 |
95 @ 3,000 rpm | 130 km/h (81 mph) |
12/1934-09/1935 | 1,007 | 32,400 | 4-door saloon/sedan | |
| BCT1 | 10/1936-02/1937 | 82 | 26,900 | 4-door saloon/sedan | ||||
| BCY1 | 02/1937-09/1937 | 426 | - | |||||
| BCY2 | 10/1937-02/1938 | 181 | - |