Showing results in  Classics Reviews [Show all channels]

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

  • Renault Avantime (2002 - 2003) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault Avantime isn’t the easiest car to describe. At the time, the people that made it called it an MPV coupe. And for a few months at the turn of the century that’s what it was – but this strange figure quickly became the car that killed long-time Renault collaborator
  • Renault Vel Satis (2002 - 2007) (Classics Reviews)
    When Renault discontinued its luxury executive car the Safrane in 2000, the French car maker was left with a hole in its model line-up. Enter the Vel Satis – one of the most expensive cars Renault ever made. It cost £550m to develop and £30k to buy. Yes, the president
  • Renault Laguna (1994 - 2001) (Classics Reviews)
    Launched in 1994, the Renault Laguna proved a hit with buyers. The pen of designer Patrick Le Quement seemed to take everything that Renault had learnt about car making and distil it into one, excellent model. There was an engine for everyone. Drivers could choose from 1.8 or 2.0-litre
  • Renault Twingo (1993 - 2007) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault Twingo was conceived as a new entry-level model, to slot in beneath the Clio, and occupy the market sector once filled by the R4 and basic R5. It was a radical to look at thanks to a monobox design, which was largely influenced by the success
  • Renault Clio Williams (1993 - 1995) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault Clio Williams set the template for all of the hot Renaults that followed it. It was powered by a 2.0-litre 16-valve engine for an excellent power to weight ratio, ditching the vogueish need for a turbocharger. The Williams was uprated over standard Clio 16V by 200cc and 15bhp
  • Renault Safrane (1992 - 2000) (Classics Reviews)
    Launched in 1992, the Renault Safrane was an executive car that was the most luxurious (and most expensive) in the manufacturer's line up. Think of it as a spiritual predecessor to the Vel Satis , which
  • Renault Clio Mk1 (1991 - 1998) (Classics Reviews)
    Launched at the 1990 Paris motor show, the Renault Clio had a big job to do. The car it replaced, the ageing Renault 5, was regarded as a national treasure. In fact, the R5 continued to be sold after the Clio was launched, finally going out of production in 1996. Underneath, the Clio
  • Renault 19 (1988 - 1996) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault 19 was the replacement for the underperforming R9/11, and like the 21, was neatly - if unimaginatively - styled by Ital Design. It was originally powered by Renault's new E-type (or Energy) 1.4-litre and F-type 1.7-litre power units - both of which were a considerable leap forward
  • Renault 21 Turbo and Quadra (1988 - 1993) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault 21 Turbo was one of the unsung heroes of the performance saloon market of the 1980s. It arrived on the crest of a wave from France that included the Citroen BX 16V and Peugeot 405 Mi16, but the Renault outgunned both. When La Regie bolted on a turbo the 2.0-litre 21 saloon
  • Renault 21 (1986 - 1994) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault 21 was an all-new replacement for the popular R18, and arrived on the scene to do battle with the Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier in the fleet market. It was neat looking thanks to styling by Giugiaro, and was probably the most conventional-looking car yet by La Regie
  • Renault 5GT Turbo (1985 - 1991) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault 5GT Turbo vied with the Peugeot 205 GTI and Volkswagen Golf GTI as one of the defining hot hatchbacks of its era. With a 0-60mph time of a whisker more than seven seconds and a maximum speed of 123mph, it was certainly the quickest of the front runners. When the Gordini Turbo
  • Renault Espace (1984 - 1991) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault Espace's conception was a tortuous affair. Back in the 1970s, Chrysler UK was working on a number of one-box MPV concepts at its design centre at Whitley. Meanwhile over in France, Matra was working on a similar concept at its Romorantin-Lenthenay base. Nothing
  • Renault 9 and 11 Turbo (1984 - 1988) (Classics Reviews)
    In late 1984, the Renault 9 and 11 Turbo models were launched. They weren't exactly bad news for a range, which previously lacked glamour, and were a welcome addition to the bugeoning hot hatchback market, competing against talented cars such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Fiat Strada 130TC
  • Renault 25 (1983 - 1992) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault 25 was an impressive executive car offering following on from the plain-Jane 20/30 - and it was designed to appeal in export markets as well as in its home country. The styling was an interesting mix of old and new, with a highly aerodynamic body and Fuego-style wraparound rear
  • Renault 9 and 11 (1981 - 1988) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault 9 and 11 were an attempt by the company to build a conventional range of cars with true international appeal - hopefully banishing memories of the quirky and hard to sell 14. The four-door R9 saloon arrived first in late 1981, and promptly won the European Car of The Year award
  • Renault Fuego (1980 - 1986) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault Fuego was launched at the Paris motor show in 1980, and looked like an exciting addition to the Capri/Manta market. It was described by Renault as an 'open plan' coupe - a boring description for the R18 four-seater car. It was aerodynamic too, with a drag co-efficient of 0.347
  • Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2 (1980 - 1986) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault 5 Turbo was the product of an exciting era of rallying - the Lancia Stratos's success had convinced other companies to create purpose built machines, and the French company decided to pull out all the stops to beat the Italians. But when making its mid-engined turbocharged challenger
  • Renault 18 (1978 - 1987) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault 18 went into production late in 1977 and made its debut at the Geneva motor show the following spring. It was conceived to do battle with the Fiat Mirafiori, Ford Cortina and Vauxhall Cavalier, and to do that, its maker created easily its most conventional car in a generation - which
  • Renault 14 (1976 - 1983) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault 14 was La Regie's first attempt at a Volkswagen Golf rival, and it was something of an interesting package. Despite having been building front-wheel drive cars since 1961 (with the loveable R4), it decided to eschew that car's mechanical layout, as well as the R12's, instead
  • Renault 5 Gordini and Gordini Turbo (1976 - 1984) (Classics Reviews)
    The Renault 5 Gordini was known as the Alpine in Europe, but due to Chrysler owning the UK rights to that name, the historic tuning firm's name was applied. It worked well for us Brits, as Gordini had far more resonance anyway. The 5 Alpine went into production in 1976, but the Gordini didn't
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer