Segment: Medium
Production years: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980
13 Photos
The Renault 12 was launched at the 1969 Paris Motor Show and it was an important step forward for the French car-maker. It was a very successful car, manufactured and sold around the globe.
The aged Renault 8 and 10 needed a replacement for a family car. The Renault 16 was successful with its front-wheel-drive and front-engine architecture, while the Renault 8 and 10 with everything in the back were struggling. The Renault 12 was the right answer and it featured a better solution for the drivetrain. It was manufactured in France, Argentina, Turkey, and Romania. The later produced the car until 2004.
With the new, landscape-type headlights from the Renault 16 and classic three-box design, the Renault 12 was a simple car that offered enough room for a family and enough trunk space. It was also available in station-wagon form.
Inside, the car featured only a ventilation system and a simple, three-round dials design for the instrument cluster. Depending on the trim level, it was available with or without an armrest for the rear passengers.
Under the hood, there was a 1.3-liter engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. For other markets, the Renault 12 received also a 1.4- and a 1.6-liter engine, which was a carry-over from the Renault 16. The front independent suspension and a rear rigid axle was a fair balance between price and comfort.
RENAULT 12 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980
- 1.3L 3AT FWD (60 HP)
- 1.3L 4MT FWD (50 HP)
- 1.3L 4MT FWD (54 HP)
- 1.3L 4MT FWD (60 HP)
RENAULT 12
1.3L 3AT FWD (60 HP)
ENGINE SPECS - 1.3L 3AT FWD (60 HP) | |
|---|---|
| Cylinders: | L4 |
| Displacement: | 1289 cm3 |
| Power: | 44.1 KW @ 5500 RPM 60 HP @ 5500 RPM 59 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
| Torque: | 67 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 91 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
| Fuel System: | Carburetor |
| Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Top Speed: | 90 mph (145 km/h) |
| Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 16.6 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
| Gearbox: | 3-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Front: | Discs |
| Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Tire Size: | 155 SR 13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 171.2 in (4348 mm) |
| Width: | 64.4 in (1636 mm) |
| Height: | 56.5 in (1435 mm) |
| Front/rear Track: | 51.7/52.4 in (1,313/1,331 mm) |
| Wheelbase: | 96.1 in (2441 mm) |
| Ground Clearance: | 4.3 in (109 mm) |
| Cargo Volume: | 14.8 cuFT (419 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Unladen Weight: | 2061 lbs (935 kg) |
| Gross Weight Limit: | 2976 lbs (1350 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
|---|---|
| City: | 19.6 mpg US (12 L/100Km) |
| Highway: | 31.4 mpg US (7.5 L/100Km) |
| Combined: | 23.1 mpg US (10.2 L/100Km) |
RENAULT 12
1.3L 4MT FWD (50 HP)
ENGINE SPECS - 1.3L 4MT FWD (50 HP) | |
|---|---|
| Cylinders: | L4 |
| Displacement: | 1289 cm3 |
| Power: | 36.8 KW @ 5000 RPM 50 HP @ 5000 RPM 49 BHP @ 5000 RPM |
| Torque: | 63 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 86 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
| Fuel System: | Carburetor |
| Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Top Speed: | 87 mph (140 km/h) |
| Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 16.1 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
| Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Front: | Discs |
| Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Tire Size: | 155 SR 13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 171.2 in (4348 mm) |
| Width: | 64.4 in (1636 mm) |
| Height: | 56.5 in (1435 mm) |
| Front/rear Track: | 51.7/52.4 in (1,313/1,331 mm) |
| Wheelbase: | 96.1 in (2441 mm) |
| Ground Clearance: | 4.3 in (109 mm) |
| Cargo Volume: | 14.8 cuFT (419 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Unladen Weight: | 1984 lbs (900 kg) |
| Gross Weight Limit: | 2866 lbs (1300 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
|---|---|
| City: | 21.6 mpg US (10.9 L/100Km) |
| Highway: | 35.6 mpg US (6.6 L/100Km) |
| Combined: | 26.4 mpg US (8.9 L/100Km) |
RENAULT 12
1.3L 4MT FWD (54 HP)
ENGINE SPECS - 1.3L 4MT FWD (54 HP) | |
|---|---|
| Cylinders: | L4 |
| Displacement: | 1289 cm3 |
| Power: | 36.8 KW @ 5250 RPM 50 HP @ 5250 RPM 49 BHP @ 5250 RPM |
| Torque: | 7 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 9 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
| Fuel System: | Carburetor |
| Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Top Speed: | 87 mph (140 km/h) |
| Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 16 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
| Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Front: | Discs |
| Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Tire Size: | 155 SR 13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 171.2 in (4348 mm) |
| Width: | 64.4 in (1636 mm) |
| Height: | 56.5 in (1435 mm) |
| Front/rear Track: | 51.7/52.4 in (1,313/1,331 mm) |
| Wheelbase: | 96.1 in (2441 mm) |
| Ground Clearance: | 4.3 in (109 mm) |
| Cargo Volume: | 14.8 cuFT (419 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Unladen Weight: | 1984 lbs (900 kg) |
| Gross Weight Limit: | 2866 lbs (1300 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
|---|---|
| City: | 23.5 mpg US (10 L/100Km) |
| Highway: | 33.6 mpg US (7 L/100Km) |
| Combined: | 25.6 mpg US (9.2 L/100Km) |
RENAULT 12
1.3L 4MT FWD (60 HP)
ENGINE SPECS - 1.3L 4MT FWD (60 HP) | |
|---|---|
| Cylinders: | L4 |
| Displacement: | 1289 cm3 |
| Power: | 44.1 KW @ 5500 RPM 60 HP @ 5500 RPM 59 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
| Torque: | 67 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 91 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
| Fuel System: | Carburetor |
| Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Top Speed: | 92 mph (148 km/h) |
| Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 14.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
| Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Front: | Discs |
| Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Tire Size: | 155 SR 13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 171.2 in (4348 mm) |
| Width: | 64.4 in (1636 mm) |
| Height: | 56.5 in (1435 mm) |
| Front/rear Track: | 51.7/52.4 in (1,313/1,331 mm) |
| Wheelbase: | 96.1 in (2441 mm) |
| Ground Clearance: | 4.3 in (109 mm) |
| Cargo Volume: | 14.8 cuFT (419 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Unladen Weight: | 2028 lbs (920 kg) |
| Gross Weight Limit: | 2976 lbs (1350 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
|---|---|
| City: | 21.6 mpg US (10.9 L/100Km) |
| Highway: | 39.2 mpg US (6 L/100Km) |
| Combined: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |