Vive la tradition - five Renault milestones
05/05/2018
Renault is celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2018 and can therefore look back on a rich history. Hundreds of models have been developed and built, but which were the five biggest milestones from Renault's perspective? It is probably easier to choose ten than to limit ourselves to five, but let's try anyway.
Unfortunately, the Juvaquatre does not fit into the list of five, even though it was designed to be self-supporting, which was innovative before the Second World War.
In this respect, the 4 CV, also known as the "Crèmeschnittchen" or "Renault Heck", was less progressive, and some saw it as a copy of the Beetle. However, the 4 CV was created almost at the same time as the Beetle, came onto the market shortly after the Second World War and had a number of advantages over the German crawler, namely four doors, considerably more space and a water-cooled engine. It was also much more compact and more economical overall. Produced in its millions, it was also very successful.
The Renault 4 was much more modern, as it had the engine at the front and offered a versatile interior with a tailgate for loading. Four-door and inexpensive, it was not the direct successor to the 4 CV, but clearly outperformed it during the production period. Alongside the Ente, it became one of the most popular student cars.
Renault proved that mid-range buyers also wanted to buy practical cars with the Type 16. Hatchback and tailgate, seats that could be folded all the way down to the bed - in the mid-sixties, nobody had this in their mid-range range. Except Renault. And the R16 made its way, not least because there were really sporty versions.
Renault recognized early on that women were an important customer segment. They even geared the Renault 5( pictured above, in the living room) towards women. The R5 was practical, compact and reasonably priced. It sold very well and was also very suitable as a second or city car.
In the 1980s, Renault then launched the Espace , the prototype of the modern family van with space for seven people and luggage, variable interior space and a pleasing appearance. The Zafira and Touran may have been more successful in terms of unit sales, but the Espace, which also featured a plastic body, paved the way for them.
Eh voilà, the five milestones in the Renault range. Anyone who disagrees is welcome to add their favorites in the comments. In our article archive you will of course find many Renault vehicle reports, for all those who cannot yet decide on one or the other Renault as a milestone.
