It was more simply built than the other models from Renault. The aim must have been to reduce production costs so that they could offer a lot of car for the money.
A conventional Renault
In terms of marketing, the Renault 12 was to succeed the Renault 8 and 10. Technically, it was different from both the earlier rear-engined cars and the front-wheel-drive Renault 4 and 16. The engine was longitudinally mounted with power to the front wheels. The fine suspension from the R4 and R16 was not used. Instead of space-saving torsion springs, the Renault 12 received coil springs on all 4 wheels and a rigid rear axle. Renault had long advocated independent suspension on all wheels. It is a bit unclear why this was not chosen, but the cars were probably cheap to produce, - and consequently Renault could offer a lot of car for the money. Here at home, the Renault 12 became very popular - for the same reason - a lot of car for the money. The design and concept were like other cars, that is, it did not have the typical characteristics that French cars are known for.
Own impressions
I've never driven a Renault 12 myself, but a weekly passenger in a 1973 station wagon in my younger days. The 1.3 engine made a piercing sound when you started - and the 60-horsepower had to be whipped hard to accelerate out onto a busy road, for example. Inside, I found the car spacious and a pleasant place to be. The only thing I missed were armrests in the front doors. There was only a strap to close the door with.
Model history
The model was produced for 11 years – from 1969 to 1980 with a midlife facelift for the 1976 model. The facelift mainly consisted of a new grill, new bumpers, new rear lights and a new dashboard.
About the pictures
The lemon yellow car is photographed at the port facility, Port Argeles-sur-Mer, France. It is a pre-facelift model. The blue car is a Renault 12 TL, also pre-facelift, which is pictured at The London Classic Car Show 2023. The white car – a facelifted model – was photographed at a car meet in Perpignan, 2024.
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