Pneumatici Renault 16

History of the Renault 16

The Renault 16 is a family hatchback manufactured by Renault in Le Havre, France, between 1965 and 1980. The Renault 16 was the first successful hatchback body-style automobile in a sector formerly dominated by entry-level executive cars and estates.

Manufacturing began in March 1965 at Renault's newly constructed Sandouville factory, which was located a few kilometres east of Le Havre. The automobile was officially unveiled in March 1965 at the Geneva Motor Show, and it went on sale in France and other left-hand drive nations in June 1965. It was originally imported to the Uk in right-hand drive form late that year, and it immediately established itself as one of the country's most popular imported automobiles. It launched on the UK market at a period when imported models accounted for only a tiny fraction of new vehicle sales, but it was one of a series of automobiles from foreign companies that helped foreign cars expand their market share during the 1970s.

The Renault 16 was well received by the public and professionals alike; "There is no doubt that the Renault 16 is the most intelligently engineered automobile I have ever encountered," racing driver Stirling Moss said in 1970. "I think that each British motorcar manufacturer would do well to purchase one just to see how it is put together."