RENAULT 16 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Renault 16 was the first successful hatchback on the market, and for that, it won the “European Car of The Year” award.

After Citroen proved the practicability of the front-wheel driven vehicles, Renault continued the idea with the 4 in 1961. But that model, even successful, was just a test bench for the French automaker. The real success came with the 16 in 1965.

At that time, it was Renault's flagship model, and it had to be good in all aspects. Thus, the car's look was advanced. At the front, it sported rectangular headlights with rounded corners and a metallic grille with horizontal slats. Its chromed metallic bumper fitted with rubber blocks was a promise of better protection in case of a crash. From its sides, the raked and curved windshield and the flat panels were a novelty in a market where many other automakers still had curved lines on the bodywork. The tall greenhouse with three windows on each side and the sloped tailgate also proved to be successful. Still, at the back, the automaker had to stick with horizontally mounted taillights, and they were slim.

Inside, Renault continued with its revolutionary ideas and installed the gear-changer next to the steering wheel. This allowed the automaker to offer the vehicle with wide front seats. At the back, the flat-folding bench could expand the luggage compartment, which was very practical. Depending on the version and year, the 16 was available with a stereo.

The car's underpinnings were very strange, though. Since it relied on torsion-beam suspensions, the wheelbase slightly differed from the left to the right side. On the plus side, that solution allowed Renault to provide a car with independent suspension in all corners.