RENAULT 11 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Introduced in Renault's lineup in 1983, the 3-door eleven targeted young buyers that needed more interior room than the 5 but still aimed for a sportier look of their car.

By 1983, Renault was already a well-known hatchback maker. Its 4, 5, and 20 models were highly appreciated on the market, so the French automaker felt obliged to provide a new model for young customers who were just starting their families. For that, it used the same platform as the Renault 9, a four-door sedan that has been on the market since 1981 and has already won the European "Car of the Year" award.

Apart from the obvious shape difference, these two siblings sported similar wedged shapes. In addition, while the 9 was gifted with two rectangular headlights, the 11 received four smaller ones. Later on, these headlamps were also offered for upper trim levels on the facelifted (Phase 1) version of the 9. The 3-door 11 featured a black, unpainted, plastic front bumper that looked modern for those times. Behind the doors, Renault installed wide pop-out windows for the rear passengers. Renault installed a broad windscreen at the back as part of the tailgate.

Its dashboard sported wedged shapes, with a visor above the instrument cluster. As an option, the TXE version offered an electronic display, which was the first French car with such a treat. Depending on the version, the 11 featured bucket seats or bolstered ones for the front passengers. At the same time, the rear occupants were seated on a flat-folding bench that increased the trunk's space.

Under the hood, the 3-door 11 had a wide engine range, either gasoline or diesel. The range-topper version sported a 1.4-liter turbocharged unit, making the little, lightweight vehicle a hot-hatch of its era. In addition, it was quicker than the Golf GTI.

The French automaker understood the importance of hatchbacks on the European market and introduced the 11 range in 1983 with a three or five-door bodywork based on the same underpinnings as the Renault 9.

Renault introduced its first hatchback back in the early 60s when it unveiled the 4. Later, it made the 16 and the 5. But then, the Germans took the segment's lead with the Golf. But in 1983, the 11 brought back into the game the French brand. While this model was based on the same platform as the 9 (known as the Alliance in the U.S.), it featured a different styling from the B-post behind. Moreover, it was available with a three-door bodywork as well.

Wedged shapes for cars dominated the early 80s. So the 11 came with a squared-looking front fascia fitted with quad rectangular headlights. Its plastic bumpers were body-colored and, depending on the version, came with or without a rubber strip. Also, the base models came with black, unpainted bumpers. These were highly appreciated by those living in crowded cities where no bumper was spared from scratches.

Inside, the 11's styling sported angular lines and wedged shapes. The dashboard featured a visor above the instrument cluster. As an option, the TXE version offered an electronic display, which was the first French car with such a treat. Depending on the version, the 11 featured bucket seats or bolstered ones for the front passengers. At the back, three occupants could fill the flat-folding bench.

Under the hood, the 11 came with many engine versions, either gasoline or diesel. But Renault also had an ace up its sleeves with the R11 Turbo, which was powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that produced over 100 ponies. In such a light car, that was a blast to drive. A true hot-hatch of its era.