Renault Dauphine | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Renault |
Also called | Renault Ondine[1] Renault Gordini[2] Renault 850 Dauphine Alfa Romeo[3] IKA Dauphine IKA Gordini |
Production | 1956–1967 |
Assembly |
|
Designer | Fernand Picard, Robert Barthaud, Jacques Ousset[7] |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Small family car or economy car[8] |
Body style | 4-door saloon |
Layout | RR layout |
Related | Renault Floride/Caravelle Henney Kilowatt Hino Contessa |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 845 cc (51.6 cu in) Ventoux I4 |
Transmission | 3/4-speed manual 3-speed push-button semi-automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,267 mm (89.3 in) |
Length | 3,937 mm (155.0 in)[9] |
Width | 1,524 mm (60.0 in) |
Height | 1,441 mm (56.7 in) |
Curb weight | 650 kg (1,430 lb) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Renault 4CV |
Successor | Renault 8 Renault 6 |
The Renault Dauphine (pronounced [dɔfin])[10] is an economy car manufactured by Renault from 1956 to 1967. Like its predecessor, the Renault 4CV, the Dauphine is a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive four-door sedan with three-box styling. More than two million Dauphines were built and the design was produced under licence by other manufacturers outside of France. Along with such cars as the Citroën 2CV, Volkswagen Beetle, Morris Minor, Mini and Fiat 600, the Dauphine pioneered the modern European economy car.[8][11][12] Renault marketed numerous variants of the Dauphine, including a luxury version, the Renault Ondine, a decontented version as the Dauphine Teimoso (Brazil, 1965),[13] sporting versions marketed as the Dauphine Gordini and the Ondine Gordini, the 1093 factory racing model, and the Caravelle/Floride, a Dauphine-based two-door coupé and two-door convertible.
planet
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).The Dauphine may be a forgotten orphan of France, but it has to be treated with a lot of respect because it was one of the true pioneers of the modern continental car.
Renault Dauphine: Along with the Volkswagen Beetle, Mini and Fiat 500, the Dauphine pioneered the small family car. The rear-engined Dauphine replaced the 4CV but was even more popular, with more than two million sold between 1956 and 1967. It was also made in Argentina, Brazil, Israel, Italy (badged as an Alfa Romeo), New Zealand, Japan, Spain and the US.
Like models such as the original VW Beetle, Fiat 500 and even the Morris Minor, the Dauphine became yet another hot-selling European economy car, a segment very popular after World War II.