Renault Voiturette

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Renault Voiturette
Renault Voiturette 1898
Manufacturer Renault
Also called Renault Type A
Renault Type B
Renault Type C
Renault Type D
Renault Type E
Renault Type G
Renault Type H
Renault Type J
Production 1898-1903
Predecessor None
Class (Type A/B) Supermini
(Type C/D/E) Small family car
Body style(s) (Type A) Two-passenger car
(Type B) 2-door Sedan
(Type C) Four-passenger car
(Type D) Four-passenger convertible
(Type E/G/H/J) Semi-coupé car
Engine(s) (Type A/B) De Dion-Bouton 1 cylinder, 273 cc, 1.75 CV
(Type G) De Dion-Bouton 1 cylinder, 860 cc
(Type H) 2 cylinder, 1720 cc
(Type J) 2 cylinder, 2720 cc
Transmission(s) Manual, 3-gear
Length 1900 mm (74.8 in)
Width 1150 mm (45.3 in)
Height 1400 mm (55.1 in)
Curb weight (Type A) 200 kg (441 lb)
(Type B) 350 kg (772 lb)
Designer Louis Renault

The Renault Voiturette (Renault Little Car) was Renault's first ever produced automobile, and was manufacturated between 1898 and 1903. The name was used for five models.
The first Voiturettes mounted De Dion-Bouton engines, which were used until the mid seventies for several Renault automobiles. Continental tires were used for the car, and curiosly, several modern Renaults still use Continental.

Contents

[edit] Voiturette Type A

The first Voiturette was designed by the maker's creator Louis Renault in 1898. The first Voiturette was sold to a friend of Louis' father after going for a ride with Louis through Lepic street on December 24, 1898. Twelve more cars were sold that night. The main reason for the man to buy the car was the incredible ability if the car to climb streets without any difficulty and its fuel economy. The car mounted a De Dion-Bouton 1 cylinder engine, which allowed it to reach a top speed of 32 km/h (20 mph).

[edit] Voiturette Type B

The Type B was basically the same Voiturette. However, the difference was the strange aspect of the car, including a roof and two doors. Louis Renault invented the sedan in 1899.

[edit] Voiturette Type C

The Type C was Renault's first four-passenger car. After several mechanical and physical modifications, the car was launched in 1900. The car was presented in the 1900 Mondial de l'Automobile at Paris, presenting for the first time Renault Frères as an automobile maker.

[edit] Voiturette Type D/E/G

The Type D and E Voiturettes were similar to the Type C but with some differences, mostly the 5CV upgraded engine. The Type D was identical to the Type C excepting the retractable roof and the Type E showed a longer roof than that of the Type B, but without any door. The Type G used the same chassis and body style than the Type D and E but with an upgraded engine.

[edit] Voiturette Type H/J

For the first time, purely Renault built engines were used in a car. The body was the same as the Type D, E and G