It would have been a simple matter to install the light weight engine from the Renault 16 in the Renault 12, and this was later done for some high-end versions. The more expensive TL featured two separate reclining front seats instead of one front bench seat, armrests on the doors, lights in the boot and glovebox, a heated rear window, and extra warning lights. The engine was placed longitudinally ahead of the front wheels, while it was behind the wheels on the R4 and R16.Īt the time of its launch in October 1969 at the Paris Motor Show, the Renault 12 was only available as a 4-door saloon, in L and TL specifications.
Like all new Renaults at the time (and in common, by now, with more than 60% of the cars produced in France) the car had front wheel drive, but the R12 had a very different layout from Renault's existing fwd models. However, the R12 was technically quite different from either the R16 or the smaller Renault 4. The Renault 12's design dates back to the genesis of the Renault 16 indeed, some initial R16 concept designs resemble the R12 more than the ultimate design of the R16. It should be usable as a base for multiple variations." Body It had to be reliable for the export markets, and comfortable enough for France. The car had to be easy to produce, so it could be made all over the world. It had to have a roomy interior, and a large boot, and a small engine will suffice. "The car had to be economical, not very sophisticated. This was a new model to bridge the gap between the Renault 8 and the Renault 16. In January 1964, the Styling Center begins the design of the 117 model. The last R12 was produced in 2000 in Turkey, while Romanian automaker Dacia continued producing the R12-based 1310 saloon and estate until 2004 and the R12-based Dacia Pick-Up until December 2006.Ĭommercially the Renault 12 was a successful car, selling 2.5 million units. Renault 12 production and sales ended in western Europe in 1980, but the model continued to be produced and sold by Renault affiliates elsewhere. They also gave it "very poor marks" for the ventilation system. However it fared worse in the North American press: in a test of the 1974 model, Road & Track was critical of the engine's "obtrusive" noise, and called the heavy, non- power steering "a serious design flaw". In its first few years the 12 received praise from the European press for its spacious, comfortable interior, its styling, its performance and its low fuel consumption. Available as a saloon ( Berline) and estate ( Break), it was also produced under licence in many countries around the globe into the early 21st century. The Renault 12 is a mid-size family car introduced by French automaker Renault at the Paris Motor Show in October 1969 and produced in France until 1980.