Since Louis Renault founded the company in 1898, Renault has had a passion for speed. Although the brand is now known for producing small hatchbacks and crossovers, it has a rich history of building high-performance cars for both the road and the racetrack. With the recent unveiling of the 5 Turbo 3E and the Alpine A110 Ultime, it seems that Renault's love for fast cars has returned. Here are 25 of Renault's greatest performance hits.
In the early years, Louis Renault used motorsport as his primary marketing strategy. By 1902, the competition was heating up, and Renault's Type K, which was previously equipped with a DeDion-Bouton engine, received a new four-cylinder motor that produced 24 horsepower. The updated Type K won the Paris-Vienna race, covering over 500 miles at an average speed of 39 miles per hour.
The 40CV was a luxury model built by Renault in the early 20th century. Unveiled at the 1910 Paris Motor Show and sold from 1922 to 1928, it was a prime example of European automotive excess during that period. In certain forms, the 40CV had a 9.0-liter engine, weighed over 5,500 pounds, and measured 16.4 feet in length. Not exactly the ideal basis for a performance car, but it did enjoy success in motorsport, including a win at the 1925 Monte Carlo rally.
In 1955, Renault replaced its best-selling car, the 4CV, with the Dauphine. After a series of rally wins in 1956, Renault was motivated to build a faster version. Developed in collaboration with engineer Amédée Gordini, the Dauphine Gordini was unveiled in 1961. Although it didn't possess much performance, with a 0-60 mph time of 27 seconds, it was significant as the first model to sport the legendary "Gordini" name.
The next Renault to bear the "Gordini" name was the humble 8. This model is arguably the most synonymous with the name today, thanks to its iconic twin white stripes and unusual quad-headlight setup. The R8 Gordini offered a significant step up from the Dauphine, producing 95 horsepower, nearly double that of a standard Renault 8. In 1966, it was updated with a 1.3-liter engine and a five-speed gearbox, allowing for a top speed of 108 miles per hour – a serious figure at the time.
The 12 Gordini was radically different from the R8 "Gorde" that it replaced, with the engine and driven wheels located at the front of the car rather than the back. Renault aimed to make the 12 Gordini as light as possible, with fabric seats stretched around a tubular frame structure. It produced a respectable 116 horsepower, resulting in a top speed of 115 miles per hour.
Source: autocar.co.uk
