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  • Reliant Kitten (1975-1982)
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Info

Reliant Kitten

 (1975-1982)
Reliant Kitten car history
ManufacturerReliant
Production1975-1982 4074 made
PredecessorReliant Rebel
SuccessorReliant Fox
Body style2-door saloon 3-door estate car/van
Engine848 cc light alloy I4
Wheelbase84.5 in (2,146 mm)
Length131 in (3,327 mm)Saloon
Width56 in (1,422 mm)
Height55 in (1,397 mm)
Curb weight1120 pounds
Designer(s)Ogle

 

The Reliant Kitten is a small economy car which was manufactured from 1975 to 1982 by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth, England. It has a glass fibre body and an 848 cc all-aluminium inline-four engine, providing economical performance.

PERFORMANCE

  • max power (DIN): 40 hp (29.4 kW) at 5,500 rpm;
  • max torque (DIN): 46 1b ft. 6.3 kg m (61.8 Nm) at 3,500 rpm
  • max engine rpm: 5,500; 47.2 hp/l (34.7 kW/l)
  • power-weight ratio: 29.4 lb/hp (40 lb/kW). 13.3 kg/hp (18.1 kg/kW)
  • acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 20.4 sec, 0-50 mph (0-80 km/h) 11.1 sec
  • consumption: 60 m/imp gal, 50 m/US gal

The rear section of the Kitten's chassis is essentially the same as the Reliant Robin or Reliant Rialto, however from the middle forwards the car is significantly different, with the engine moved forward to where the Robin's front wheel is, and a Reliant-designed (but Lotus inspired) double wishbone front suspension. Moving the engine forward, compared with the three-wheeled cars, made a lot more room inside for the driver and front passenger. The Kitten's chassis, engine, and running gear are shared (with minor modifications), with the Reliant/MEBEA Fox pickup introduced in 1979.

In October 1976, a year after introduction, a new de luxe version of the Kitten, branded as the Kitten DL, was announced.Improvements included revised springs and dampers and a changed anti-roll bar. The engine received carburettor and air filter modifications, claimed to give better cold start characteristics, while interior improvements included more comfortable seats, modified door trims incorporating a map pocket, and a new style tray to cover the luggage space behind the back seat.

Reliant Kitten 850cc Estate

Reliant Kitten Estate

On 1 December 1976, a van version of the Reliant Kitten was announced, sharing the profile of the Kitten Estate but with blank panels in place of the windows behind the B-pillar.

Reliant Kitten 850cc Saloon

Reliant Kitten saloon

In 1982 the Kitten was axed due to not being able to compete on price with other models such as the Mini, due to its hand-made fibre glass shell. The corrosion of monocoque steel bodied competitors (the absence of which providing a strong selling point of the Kitten), which had been such a problem in the 1970s, was coming under control with advances in rustproofing. Also, the Kitten's rear-wheel drive layout was being abandoned in mass-market cars at this time in favour of a trend for transverse front wheel drive. Because it had four wheels, the Kitten also did not share the advantage of a lower UK road tax rating with the three-wheeled Robin.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES light alloy wheels laminate windscreen.Kitten Estate Car rear window wiper-washer.

 Reliant Kitten Saloon

Reliant Kitten Saloon sales

Related items
British Automotive 1980s | British Automotive 1970s | Vehicles launched in 1975 | Micro car | Fibreglass cars

Technical

  • Reliant Kitten Technical details and specifications  (1975-1982)


    ENGINE:
    front, 4 stroke
    4 cylinders, in line
    51.7 cu in, 848 cc (2.46 x 2.72 in, 62.5 x 69.1 mm)
    compression ratio: 9.5:1
    light alloy block and head, wet liners
    3 crankshaft bearings
    valves: overhead, in line, push-rods and rockers
    camshafts: 1, side
    lubrication: rotary pump. full flow filter 5.5 imp pt, 6.6 US pt. 3.1 1
    1 SU HS2 semi-downdraught single barrel carburettor;
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    sealed circuit coolinganti-freeze liquid, 6.5 imp pt, 7.8 US pt.

    TRANSMISSION
    driving wheels: rear
    clutch: single dry plate
    gearbox: mechanical; gears: 4, fully synchronized
    gearbox ratios: 1st 3.876 2nd 2.046, 3rd 1.319, 4th 1, rev 3.250
    final drive: spiral bevel; axle ratio: 3.230

    CHASSIS
    box-section side members and channel section
    front suspension: Independent. diagonal reinforcements; wishbones, anti-roll bar, coil springs/telescopic damper units
    rear suspension: rigid axle, semi-elliptic leafsprings, telescopic dampers.

    STEERING
    rack-and-pinion
    turns lock to lock: 3.50.
    turning circle (between walls): 24 ft, 7.3 m

    BRAKES
    drum (diameter 7 in, 17.8 cm)
    swept area front: 66 sq in, 426 sq cm
    swept area rear : 55 sq in, 355 sq cm
    swept area total: 121 sq in, 781 sq cm.

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
    12 V
    35 Ah battery
    Lucas distributor

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
    wheel base: 84.50
    front and rear tracks: 49 in, 124 cm
    length: 131.75 in, 335 cm
    width: 56 in, 142 cm
    height: 55 in, 140 cm
    weight: 1,189 1b, 539 kg.(estate)

    © Motor car History

Service

  • Reliant Kitten maintenance and Service Guide (1975-1982)

    Fuel: 97 oct petrol
    Engine oil: 5.5 imp pt. 6.6 US pt. 3.1 1. SAE 20W.50, change ever 6.000 miles, 9.700 km
    Gearbox oil: 1.1 Imp pt. 1.3 US pt 0.6 1, SAE 80 EP, change every 12,000 miles, 19.400 km
    Final drive: 2.2 imp pt. 2.5 US pt. 1.2 1, SAE 90 EP. change every 6,000 miles, 9,700 km
    Greasing: every 6,000 miles 9,700 km, 7 points
    Tappet clearances: inlet 0.010 in. 0.25 mm, exhaust 0.010 in, 0.25 mm
    Valve timing: 13° 72° 54° 29°
    Width of rims: 3.5"
    Tyres: 145 x 10.
    Carrying capacity: 700 1b, 317 kg
    Fuel tank: 7.1 US gal, 27 1.

    © Motor car History

Gallery

Gallery
    Estate Dimensions and Performance Figures of

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