TheRenault 19is asmall family carthat was produced by the French car manufacturerRenaultbetween 1988 and 1996. In Turkey and in Argentina, production continued until 2000. The internal development code for the 19 wasX53,with the five door receiving theB53chassis code, the three door being theC53,the Chamade theL53,and the Cabriolet theD53.[1]

Renault 19
Renault 19 Phase 1 (hatchback)
Overview
ManufacturerRenault
Also calledRenault Energy (Colombia, Venezuela)
Production
  • 1988–1996
  • 1993–2000 (Argentina, Turkey)
Assembly
DesignerGiorgetto GiugiaroatItaldesign
Body and chassis
ClassSmall family car(C)
Body style3/5-doorhatchback
4-doorsaloon( "Chamade" )
2-doorconvertible
LayoutFF layout
RelatedRenault MéganeI
Powertrain
Engine
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,540 mm (100.0 in)
LengthHatchback: 4,156 mm (163.6 in)
Chamade: 4,248 mm (167.2 in)
Width1,694 mm (66.7 in)
Height1,412 mm (55.6 in)
Curb weight886–1,175 kg (1,953–2,590 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorRenault 9/Renault 11
SuccessorRenault Mégane

Overview

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The R19 was presented in June 1988,[2]with sales in the domestic French market beginning in September 1988.[3]It was the replacement for the9 and 11,both of which were ageing and outdated by the end of the 1980s. The R19 went on sale in right hand drive form for the British market in February 1989.

The R19 was styled byGiorgetto Giugiaro,featuring Renault's new E-type (or "Energy" ) 1.4 L engine and F type 1.7 L versions. Base models originally used theOHVC-typeCléon1.2 and 1.4 L engines, depending on the market. While originally only available with an atmospheric diesel engine, a turbocharged version appeared in the beginning of 1992.[4]

Intended to be Renault's last numeric named car, the 19 ushered in a new naming policy, with thesaloonversions of the 19 being known as the 19 Chamade, to distinguish them from thehatchbacks.The saloon version was launched in 1989.[2]In many markets, the Chamade badge was dropped following the facelift of 1992, with some replacing it with the "Europa" tag. The 19 Chamade customers were more often men, more often married and more rural and older than R19hatchbackbuyers.[5]

In 1991, aconvertiblebodystyle built byKarmannwas first shown; only a small number of these were built with the Phase I design as it was facelifted shortly thereafter. The convertible version went on sale in the beginning of 1992; it was only available with the two most powerful engine options.[6]Although the R19's exterior design (which was relatively conservative, like that of theRenault 9/11) received a muted response, it was praised for its interior comfort and handling.[citation needed]

For the fuel injected top versions, a four-speed automatic transmission became available in the fall of 1990. Lesser versions still made do with four- or five-speed manuals, or a three-speed automatic.[2]

Facelift

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In the summer of 1992, a revamped model was introduced with a substantially restyled front and rear, whileLHDmarket versions received a new dashboard and interior —RHDmodels retained the original design.

With the facelift, smaller "Energy" series units gradually replaced the old pushrod items, and 1.8 litre engines appeared at the top of the lineup, where they replaced the more powerful 1.7 units (the F3N).[7]The R19 was sold in most of Europe until 1996, and was produced for some South American markets inArgentinauntil 2000 and for the Andean markets inColombiauntil 2001. Turkish production lasted a little longer than in the rest of Europe, also until the year 2000. The R19's platform and running gear would continue to be used in its replacement, the first generationRenault Mégane,which lasted for seven years.

The Renault 19 was awarded the 1989 Car of the Year in Spain and Germany, 1990Car of the Year in Ireland,and 1993 Car of the Year in Argentina. It was sold in limited numbers in Japan through theYanase Import Dealerships.The name "Chamade" wasn't used on Japanese-market saloons because it was too similar to theDaihatsu Charade,so these were called "Europa" instead. San Fu Motors in Taiwan began building two versions of the R19 locally in early 1990, aiming for a monthly output of 1,000 cars.[8]

The R19 did well in Germany, a market French carmakers always had a hard time cracking. It was the best selling imported car inWest Germanyin 1990 and then inre-unitedGermanyfrom 1991 to 1994.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

TheRenault 19 16S(16V in some countries) was first shown towards the very end of 1988.[16]It was only actually added to the lineup in the autumn of 1990,[2]and was the only Renault 19 with a 16 valve engine. It had a distinctive air inlet on the bonnet (this did not appear on the earliest models), a rear spoiler, 15 inch Speedline SL401 alloy wheels, side skirts, twin headlamps,Recarobucket seats with optional leather trim, four in oneexhaust manifoldand Bendix ABS braking system with optionaltrip computer,aircon and electric sunroof. The "S"is forSoupapes,French for valves.

Its rev happy F7P engine, which, along with the advancedRenixECU, made it faster and more fuel efficient compared to most competitors. The braking system was upgraded to include 259 mm (10.2 in) vented discs on the front and 237 mm (9.3 in) discs on the rear as well as an uprated lower suspension setup and frontstrut bar.Period tests praised the car's handling on curvy roads but criticized its high speed stability and noise levels, in part due to very low gearing.[17]

Phase 1 editions benefited from unique front and rear bumpers with front indicators relocated into the bumpers to allow for the twin headlamps, while the Phase 2 retained the original bumpers found throughout the range but added colour coded tops, rubber inserts, and a discreet lower splitter. All bodystyles were offered with the 16 valve engine at one time or another, but were not available in all markets.

The Phase 2 models gear ratios were also revised, to allow for the extra weight found in the safety equipment the later models carried. The last models (1995 to 1996) were called Executive and came with leather interior as standard.

Renault claimed an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) of 8.2 seconds for the non-catalysed version with 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp).[18]This engine was only available in the Phase 1 model. The catalysed model boasted 137 PS (101 kW; 135 hp) and a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph), and a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of 8.9 seconds.

Motorsport

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Renault Sportused the 19 in theBritish Touring Car Championshipin 1993, driven byAlain MenuandTim Harvey.The car proved uncompetitive except in wet conditions, and was replaced with theLagunafor the 1994 season.[19]

Engines

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Model Engine Displacement Valvetrain Fuel system Max. power at rpm Max. torque at rpm Top speed Years
Petrol engines
1.2 C1G 1237 cc OHV8v Carburettor 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) at 5000 rpm 90 N⋅m (66 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm 155 km/h (96 mph) 1988–1990
1.2e E7F 1171 cc SOHC8v Single point fuel injection 58 PS (43 kW; 57 hp) at 6000 rpm 85 N⋅m (63 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm 155 km/h (96 mph) 1992–1995
1.4 C1J 1397 cc OHV8v Carburettor 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp) at 5250 rpm 101 N⋅m (74 lb⋅ft) at 2750 rpm 1988–1989
1.4 C3J 1390 cc OHV8v Single point fuel injection 58 PS (43 kW; 57 hp) at 4750 rpm 100 N⋅m (74 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm 161 km/h (100 mph) 1989–1995
1.4 E6J 1390 cc SOHC8v Carburettor 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) at 5750 rpm 108 N⋅m (80 lb⋅ft) at 2750 rpm 176 km/h (109 mph) 1988–1992
1.4 E7J 1390 cc SOHC8v Single point fuel injection 79 PS (58 kW; 78 hp) at 6000 rpm 107 N⋅m (79 lb⋅ft) at 3500 rpm 173 km/h (107 mph) 1992–1995
1.61 C2L 1565 cc OHV8v Carburettor 78 PS (57 kW; 77 hp) at 5000 rpm 123 N⋅m (91 lb⋅ft) at 3500 rpm 1992–2000
1.61 C3L 1565 cc OHV8v Single point fuel injection 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) at 5000 rpm 133 N⋅m (98 lb⋅ft) at 5000 rpm 1992–2000
1.7 F2N 1721 cc SOHC8v Carburettor 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) at 5000 rpm 125 N⋅m (92 lb⋅ft) at 3250 rpm 1988–1989
1.7 F2N 1721 cc SOHC8v Carburettor 92 PS (68 kW; 91 hp) at 5750 rpm 138 N⋅m (102 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm 183 km/h (114 mph) 1988–1989
1.7 F3N 1721 cc SOHC8v Single point fuel injection 73 PS (54 kW; 72 hp) at 5000 rpm 127 N⋅m (94 lb⋅ft) at 2750 rpm 171 km/h (106 mph) 1989–1995
1.7 F3N 1721 cc SOHC8v Single point fuel injection 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) at 5250 rpm 140 N⋅m (103 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm 185 km/h (115 mph) 1989–1992
1.7 F3N 1721 cc SOHC8v Multi point fuel injection 107 PS (79 kW; 106 hp) at 5800 rpm 151 N⋅m (111 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm 190 km/h (118 mph) 1990–1992
1.8 F3P 1794 cc SOHC8v Single point fuel injection 88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) at 5750 rpm 142 N⋅m (105 lb⋅ft) at 2750 rpm 181 km/h (112 mph) 1992–1994
F3P 1783 cc 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) at 5750 rpm 144 N⋅m (106 lb⋅ft) at 2750 rpm 181 km/h (112 mph) 1994–1997
F3P 1794 cc Multi point fuel injection 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) at 5500 rpm 160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft) at 4250 rpm 195 km/h (121 mph) 1992–1994
F3P 1783 cc 107 PS (79 kW; 106 hp) at 5500 rpm 158 N⋅m (117 lb⋅ft) at 4250 rpm 195 km/h (121 mph) 1994–1997
1.8 16S F7P 1764 cc DOHC16v 140 PS (100 kW; 140 hp) at 6500 rpm 165 N⋅m (122 lb⋅ft) at 4250 rpm 215 km/h (134 mph) 1990–1992
137 PS (101 kW; 135 hp) at 6500 rpm 158 N⋅m (117 lb⋅ft) at 4250 rpm 212 km/h (132 mph) 1990–1997
Diesel engines
1.9 d F8Q 1870 cc SOHC8v Indirect injection 64 PS (47 kW; 63 hp) at 4500 rpm 118 N⋅m (87 lb⋅ft) at 2250 rpm 161 km/h (100 mph) 1988–1995
1.9dT F8Q 1870 cc SOHC8v Indirect injection 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) at 4250 rpm 175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 2250 rpm 183 km/h (114 mph) 1990–1995

1Only for South America

Manufacturing factories

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References

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  1. ^"Modellübersicht Renault"[Renault model listing].Mobilverzeichnis(in German). Archived fromthe originalon 5 October 2012.Retrieved27 March2013.
  2. ^abcdBüschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (March 1991).Automobil Revue 1991(in German and French). Vol. 86. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. p. 509.ISBN3-444-00514-8.
  3. ^McNee, Stewart (22 July 1988)."Renault chases rivals".Evening Times(35, 171): 40.
  4. ^Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (5 March 1992).Automobil Revue 1992(in German and French). Vol. 87. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. p. 490.ISBN3-444-00539-3.
  5. ^"Les Nouvelles Renault 19 Tricorps".Savoir.June 1992.
  6. ^Automobil Revue 1992,pp. 490-492
  7. ^Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (10 March 1994).Automobil Revue 1994(in German and French). Vol. 89. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. pp. 478–479.ISBN3-444-00584-9.
  8. ^Stark, Harry A.; Bush, James W., eds. (1990).Ward's Automotive Yearbook 1990.Vol. 52. Detroit, MI: Ward's Communications, Inc. p. 293.ISBN0910589010.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: ignored ISBN errors (link)
  9. ^Gasnier, Matt (12 January 1991)."West Germany 1990: Golf and Kadett dominate, Vectra up".Best Selling Cars Blog.Retrieved23 June2021.
  10. ^Gasnier, Matt (12 January 1992)."Germany 1991: East & West reunite, VW Golf and Opel Kadett lead".Best Selling Cars Blog.Retrieved23 June2021.
  11. ^Gasnier, Matt (12 June 1993)."Germany 1992: VW Golf III and Opel Astra gear up".Best Selling Cars Blog.Retrieved23 June2021.
  12. ^Gasnier, Matt (12 January 1994)."Germany 1993: BMW 3 Series on the podium for the first time".Best Selling Cars Blog.Retrieved23 June2021.
  13. ^Gasnier, Matt (12 January 1995)."Germany 1994: VW Golf leads, Mercedes C Class shines".Best Selling Cars Blog.Retrieved23 June2021.
  14. ^SPS (29 October 2018)."Tradition: 30 Jahre Renault 19".PS Welt.... Der mit dem Golf tanzt.Axel Springer SE (WELT und N24Doku), Berlin.Retrieved23 June2021.
  15. ^"Le succès de Renault ne se dément pas en Allemagne".Les Echos(in French). 19 February 1992.Retrieved24 June2021.
  16. ^Mastrostefano, Raffaele, ed. (January 1989). "Scavalcato il Turbo" [Skipping the turbo].Quattroruote(in Italian). Vol. 34, no. 399. Milan, Italy: Editoriale Domus. p. 120.
  17. ^Collin, Robert (7 March 1991). "Krymper när vägen växer" [Shrinks as the road grows].Teknikens Värld(in Swedish). Vol. 43, no. 5. Stockholm, Sweden: Specialtidningsförlaget AB. p. 11.
  18. ^Automobil Revue 1991,p. 511
  19. ^"Renault Laguna BTCC".
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