Before hatchbacks became common
The Renault 16 was a car concept that was ahead of its time. Often, you don't find out about it until many years later. At a time when regular family cars had a 3-box concept – often with only 2 doors – Renault produced a 5-door hatchback with plenty of space thanks to space-saving suspension (torsion struts) and front-wheel drive. When the model came on the market in 1965, it was almost completely alone in this concept. 15 years later – when it went out of production – several car manufacturers were still unable to offer family cars as hatchbacks.
Model history
The models received minor changes almost every year. There was no major facelift or similar. It can therefore be difficult to determine the exact model year just by studying the exterior. One visible change was that the taillights from 1971 became larger and rectangular. Previously they were rounded. The 1972 model received Renault's then new logo in the grille. In 1974 the TX went on sale for the first time and in 1975 all models received a plastic grille.
Engines
From the first model year, all cars were equipped with a 1.5 liter engine. The TS, which came in 1968, got a 1.6 liter engine. From 1971, the 1.6 liter engine became the basis for all models. The TX, which came in 1974, got a 1.7 liter engine and five-speed gearbox. According to carfolio.com produces TX 94 HP at 6000 revs and has a maximum torque of 129 Nm at 4000 revs. The car's curb weight without driver is only 1060 kg.
About the pictures
The blue 1971 model was photographed at Storøya, Fornebu. The beige one in Canet-en-Roussillon, France. The gray-green TX was also photographed in France at a car show in Perpignan. Both French cars have plastic grilles and are therefore 1975 models or newer. The burgundy red, Norwegian car was photographed at a Cars & Coffee event at Øvrevoll. It is a 1972 model. The blue 1977 model was also photographed at Øvrevoll, but at a different Cars & Coffee event.
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