Model history Renault 16

post-1975 renault 16 tl, featuring black plastic grille

series production started in march 1965 @ company s completed sandouville plant, few kilometers east of le havre. car had formal launch in march 1965 @ geneva motor show, , made available sale in france , other left-hand drive markets during june 1965. late year, first imported uk market in right-hand drive form, , establish 1 of britain s popular imported cars.

equipment levels high price. initially, renault sold r16 1.4 l gasoline engine in gl specification 55 ps (40 kw; 54 hp) claimed; in march 1968 there appeared @ geneva motor show 1.6 l i4 ts top 100 mph (160 km/h). automatic transmission version, designated renault 16 ta, introduced @ geneva motor show in 1969. top-line model tx, launched @ paris motor show in october 1973, featuring 5-speed manual transmission. equipment included power windows front doors , central door locking, 1 of first family cars in europe feature such equipment.

production of r16 continued until 1980, 5 years after arrival of official successor, larger renault 20, renault 18 saloon , estates continuing renault s offering of size in europe. time r16 ceased production other european manufacturers had @ least 1 hatchback on sale, although cars of r16 s size still sold saloons or estates; exceptions austin maxi, talbot alpine (previously sold chrysler or simca) , volkswagen passat. renault did not build hatchback of size until hatchback version of renault 21 launched in 1989. ford , vauxhall/opel launched first r16-sized hatchbacks shortly after r16 s demise.

the 16 had no major competitors until arrival of alec issigonis designed austin maxi in 1969, austin maxi not strong seller outside of uk.