Renault 6
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Belgium: Haren-Vilvoorde (RIB)
Spain: Valladolid (FASA-Renault)
Argentina: Santa Isabel (IKA)
Colombia: Envigado (SOFASA)
| Renault 6 | |
|---|---|
 1974–1980 facelifted model | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Renault |
| Production | 1968–1986 |
| Assembly | France: Boulogne-Billancourt Belgium: Haren-Vilvoorde (RIB) Spain: Valladolid (FASA-Renault) Argentina: Santa Isabel (IKA) Colombia: Envigado (SOFASA) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | C-segment subcompact economy family car |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Related | Renault 4 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | |
| Length | 3,860 mm (152.0 in) |
| Width | 1,540 mm (60.6 in) |
| Height | 1,500 mm (59.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 750 kg (1,653 lb)[2] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Renault Dauphine[3] |
| Successor | Renault 5 Renault 14 |
The Renault 6 or R6 is a C-segment small family car, manufactured and marketed by French automaker Renault from 1968 to 1986. The Renault 6 used the Renault 4's platform, initially including its small 845 cc (51.6 cu in) engine, but its five-door hatchback body was larger and more modern. Visually it resembled the larger D-segment Renault 16.
The Renault 6 was launched at the 1968 Paris Motor Show,[4] and was intended as an upmarket alternative to the 20 cm (8 in) shorter R4; and the R6 aimed to compete with the Citroën Ami 6 and the just launched Citroën Dyane (both based on the Citroën 2CV, being a rebodied and a reskinned version of it, respectively). It used a dashboard-mounted gear-lever with forward, over-the-engine reaching gear-shift linkage, principally the same as those used in both the Renault 4, and in the subcompact Citroëns it competed against.
The R6 was produced in France from October 1968[5] and sold in Europe until 1980, continuing elsewhere until 1986.
1970
In its first two years of production, the R6 was criticised by the press for the R4-derived engine's lack of power in the heavier R6. In part because of this, the R6 had worse fuel economy than the larger but outdated, rear-engined Renault 8 saloon, which had a bigger engine and still performed better.[2]
A variant of the R6 using the 1.1 L (67 cu in) Cléon-Fonte engine (an engine used in the Renault 8 since 1962) was unveiled at the 1970 Paris Motor Show and was widely regarded as a big improvement.[6] Power was increased from 34 to 45 PS (34 to 44 hp; 25 to 33 kW). The smaller engined model continued to be available until June 1979; it was sold as the Renault 6 L after August 1977.
The new car also had higher equipment levels as well a new gearbox, cooling system and front disc brakes.[7] The new cooling system necessitated a supplementary grille beneath the original one (in the place occupied by the license plate of the R6-850), while the disc brakes meant slightly redesigned rims with openings in them. For the Spanish market the R6 was made available with a 956 cc (58.3 cu in) engine, due to vehicles over 1,040 cc (63 cu in) receiving higher taxation under Spanish regulations. Later, a 1,037 cc (63.3 cu in) engine was fitted, and from 1981 the 1,108 cc (67.6 cu in) unit appeared in the 6 GTL. The one-litre version has 50 PS (37 kW) DIN and this engine was also fitted to Spanish-built 5s and 7s.[8] The R6 continued to be built in Spain until 1986, with a total of 328,000 cars built there.[9]
In 1973 the Teilhol/ACL-built 6 Rodéo appeared. This was an open, plastic-bodied utility vehicle in the style of the Citroën Méhari, which was sold by selected Renault dealers. A four-wheel-drive system by Sinpar was also available to the Rodéo as well as the 6 saloon.[10]
Facelift
In June 1973 the R6 was revamped with square headlights, new rear lights, a plastic grille, and new bumpers. The front indicator lights also moved from between the bumper and the headlights to the bumper itself. The mechanicals remained untouched.[11] In 1978 there was a very mild facelift, with a black grille being the most obvious change.
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