Renault 16

Make	Renault
Years of production	1965 to 1980
Production	1,851 502  made
Class	Motor car
Engines	Cleon-Alu
Engine position	Longitudinal front
Displacement	1.470 / 1.565 / 1.647  cc
Maximum power	at 5,000 rpm: 55/65/85/90  hp DIN
Maximum torque	at 3,000 rpm: 104/113/130  Nm
Unloaded weight	980 - 1 090 kg
Body	hatchback, hatch
Length	4,260 mm
Width	1,630 mm
Height	1,450 mm
wheelbase	right side: 2.650 mm left side: 2.720 mm
Trunk volume	346

The R16 was presented to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1965.

History

The Renault 16 is a car produced more than 1.8 million units, mainly in the factories of Sandouville (opened in 1965 ) and Flins (until 1973). It has also been assembled in Morocco , Canada ( SOMA Automobile Assembly Company of Saint-Bruno de Montarville, Quebec) and Australia .

When the production of the Fregate came to an end in 1960, the makers needed a model With an engine capacity of over 1,100 cc. Marketing considerations have finally persuaded the French car company to design a new and somewhat anti-traditional.It has been conceived following the most advanced techniques as something half-way between a sedan and a station wagon, obtaining new and unusual lines.

Designed by Gaston Juchet and Philippe Charbonneaux , it has roof gutters integrated .The Renault 16 won the European the car of the year in 1966.

The first years of marketing are marked by some modifications of the bodywork: addition of diamond on the grille, awning door under the windshield , increased bumper bumper height and new wheel trims.

Both the front engine and the front wheel drive are traditional in design with the gearbox sprung on the axle and the engine mounted behind this. As
a result the accessibility of the latter for any repairs that may be needed is not all that it might be. The electrical system is charged by an alternator and  the angle of the headlamps may be regulated according to the load the car is carrying by means of two little levers fixed at the sides of the radiator cowling.
The battery too is placed under the bonnet in order to leave more room in the luggage boot. The four-wheel independent suspension has torsion bars both at the front and at the rear. The body is integral and has as its principal element a box-type platform. The front and rear mudguards are detachable and may easily be changed.

Inside together with the useful five seats, it combines the possibility of obtaining, by simply turning down the back seat, a huge flat luggage space, to which there is easy access through the large rear door that also incorporates the window.

In March 1968 , the 16 TS is driven by a motor of 1 565  cm ³ ( type Cleon-Alu ) 83  hp with hemispherical cylinder head and a carburettor with double body. It is distinguished by the two additional long-range iodine projectors , the new wheels (to accommodate larger brake calipers and larger diameter discs, all assisted by a vacuum servo-brake) and the reversing lights. (optional for 1968 and 1969 series models). The round dial dashboard includes a rev counterand for 1970, a watch. The two-speed wipers and the de-icing rear window are standard. The optional electric front windows appear for the first time on a French car.

PERFORMANCE: 1,470cc

• Engine capacity: 89.70 cu in, 1,470 cu cm
• Fuel consumption: 28.2 m/imp gal, 23.5 m/US gal, 10 1 X 100 km
• Max speed: 88.2 mph, 142 km/h
• max power (SAE): 62.6 hp at 5,000 rpm
• max torque (SAE): 78 1b ft, 10.7 kg m at 2,800 rpm
• max engine rpm: 5,700
• specific power: 42.6 hp/l
• power-weight ratio: 34.6 lb/hp, 15.7 kg/hp

PERFORMANCE: 1,565cc TS

• Engine capacity: 95.50 cu in, 1,565 cu cm
• Fuel consumption: 28.2 m/imp gal, 23.5 mlUS gal, 10 1 x 100 km
• Max speed: 99.4 mph, 160 km/h
• max power (SAE): 87.5 hp at 5,750 rpm
• max torque (SAE): 87 1b ft, 12 kg m at 3,000-4,000 rpm
• max engine rpm: 6,000
• specific power: 55.9 hp/l
• power-weight ratio: 24.9 lb/hp, 11.3 kg/hp

In March 1969 , the first electronically controlled automatic transistors are available on the R16 TA. It has the engine of the TS, but with the standard cylinder head, the set provides 67  hp . This engine also equipping versions marketed in the United States .

For 1971, the new basic versions L and TL inherit this engine while they receive rectangular magnified taillights under a black headband like all Renault 16. The automatic transmission becomes an option available on all engines. A year later, at the front, the side marker lights on the fenders are removed and the front turn signals are white.

For 1974 , the Renault 16 TX uses a motor 1,647  cm ³ ( type Cleon-Alu ) 93  hp and a box fifth speed long. The 16 TX is the first French car to have centralized electromagnetic locking of the standard doors (this equipment was available as an option on the TS since 1973). Just lock a front door so others are locked too. The equipment also includes front power windows, sports steering wheel, laminated windshield and front roller seat belts. On the outside, it features four square iodine projectors embedded in the grille, Gordini- style wheels, a windscreen wiper / windshield washer, a chrome rim above the rear wheel arches and a chrome aerodynamic flap at the rear of the roof. It is possible to equip it with optional air conditioning, equipment very rare at the time.

From the 1975 models , a black plastic grille replaces the previous one which was made of aluminum. This will be the last vintage of the TS.

In early July 1977 , the reversing lights are generalized to all versions and the Automatic TL receives a new engine with the TX block but retaining the TL cylinder head with a power output of 68  hp .

For 1979 , the seat belts are mounted at the rear and the front lights are two-colored. The Renault 16 will continue for another two years before being removed from the catalog. She is replaced and replaced by the Renault 20 .

The Renault 16 TL gray army was the vehicle of of the French army before being replaced by the Renault 20 LS.

The four-wheel independent suspension of the R16 is equipped with longitudinal torsion bars at the front and transverse at the rear. This technology imposes a distance between the rear wheel arch and the different rear door between the right and left sides. Despite the asymmetric wheelbase and improved braking, the car is comfortable and has good handling . Its Cléon-Alu engine longitudinally mounted, with the gearbox in a cantilever before, has a sealed cooling circuit and an automatic triggering electric fan.The shift lever is at the steering wheel , the dashboard with horizontal speedometer will change three times.