Renault 6
1974–1980 facelifted model
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault
Production	1968–1986
Assembly	France:Boulogne-Billancourt Belgium:Haren-Vilvoorde (RIB) Spain:Valladolid (FASA-Renault) Argentina:Santa Isabel (IKA) Colombia:Envigado (SOFASA)
Body and chassis
Class	C-segmentsubcompacteconomyfamily car
Body style	5-doorhatchback
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Related	Renault 4
Powertrain
Engine	845 cc (51.6 cu in)800-02/B1BI4 956 cc (58.3 cu in)C1C I4 (Spain) 1,108 cc (67.6 cu in)C1E I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94.5 in) (left)[1] 2,450 mm (96.5 in) (right)[2]
Length	3,860 mm (152.0 in)
Width	1,540 mm (60.6 in)
Height	1,500 mm (59.1 in)
Curb weight	750 kg (1,653 lb) (1970)[2]
Chronology
Predecessor	Renault Dauphine[3]
Successor	Renault 5 Renault 14

TheRenault 6 orR6 is aneconomyC-segment smallfamily car, manufactured and marketed byFrench automakerRenault from 1968 to 1986. The Renault 6 used theRenault 4's platform, initially including its small 845 cc (51.6 cu in) engine, but its five-doorhatchback body was larger and more modern. Visually it resembled the largerRenault 16 but was distinctly boxier.

The Renault 6 was launched at the 1968Paris Motor Show,^[4] and was intended as an upmarket alternative to the 20 cm (8 in) shorter R4; and the R6 aimed to compete with theCitroën Ami 6 and the just launchedCitroën Dyane (both based on theCitroën 2CV, being a rebodied and a reskinned version of it, respectively). It used a dashboard-mounted gear-lever with forward, over-the-engine reaching gear-shift linkage, principally the same as those used in both the Renault 4, and in the subcompact Citroëns it competed against.

The R6 was produced in France from October 1968^[5] and sold in Europe until 1980, continuing elsewhere until 1986.

In its first two years of production, the R6 was criticised by the press for the R4-derived engine's lack of power in the heavier R6. In part because of this, the R6 had worse fuel economy than the larger but outdated, rear-enginedRenault 8 saloon, which had a bigger engine and still performed better.^[2]

A variant of the R6 using the 1.1 L (67 cu in)Cléon-Fonte engine (an engine used in theRenault 8 since 1962) was unveiled at the 1970Paris Motor Show and was widely regarded as a big improvement.^[6] Power was increased from 34 to 45 PS (34 to 44 hp; 25 to 33 kW). The smaller engined model continued to be available until June 1979; it was sold as the Renault 6 L after August 1977.

The new car also had higher equipment levels as well a newgearbox, cooling system and frontdisc brakes.^[7] The new cooling system necessitated a supplementary grille beneath the original one (in the place occupied by the license plate of the R6-850), while the disc brakes meant slightly redesigned rims with openings in them. For the Spanish market the R6 was made available with a 956 cc (58.3 cu in) engine, due to vehicles over 1,040 cc (63 cu in) receiving highertaxation under Spanish regulations. Later, a 1,037 cc (63.3 cu in) engine was fitted, and from 1981 the 1,108 cc (67.6 cu in) unit appeared in the 6 GTL. The one-litre version has 50 PS (37 kW) DIN and this engine was also fitted to Spanish-built5s and7s.^[8] The R6 continued to be built in Spain until 1986, with a total of 328,000 cars built there.^[9]

In 1973 theTeilhol/ACL-built6 Rodéo appeared. This was an open, plastic-bodied utility vehicle in the style of theCitroën Méhari, which was sold by selected Renault dealers. A four-wheel-drive system bySinpar was also available to the Rodéo as well as the 6 saloon.^[10]

In June 1973 the R6 was revamped with squareheadlights, new rear lights, a plastic grille, and new bumpers. The front indicator lights also moved from between the bumper and the headlights to the bumper itself. The mechanicals remained untouched.^[11] In 1978 there was a very mild facelift, with a black grille being the most obvious change.

Production and sales in France and most of Europe ended in 1980 with no direct successor, but inSpain andArgentina the car was still produced and sold until 1986. Renault had launched a similar-sized hatchback, theRenault 14, in 1976 - aiming it directly atVolkswagen's highly successful newGolf, which popularised the hatchback bodystyle on cars of this size more than any other model inEurope at this time.

In Argentina, where the car was built by IKA-Renault, the original design (without the additional grille seen on European 1100s) continued until it received a facelift in 1978 along with a name change to "6 GTL".^[12] This meant a one-piece black grille, including the headlight surrounds, as well as black bumpers. Meanwhile, a 1397 cc engine (M1400) with 60 PS (44 kW) SAE was fitted to the Argentinian-made cars.^[12] From 1969 until 1978 it was fitted with an 1118 cc version of theCléon engine (M1100) with 51 PS (38 kW).^[13] In total, 80,869 R6s were built in Argentina, with the pre-facelift model accounting for 57,534 (71 percent) of the total.^[13]

In Colombia the car was discontinued in 1984, when theRenault 9 started production.

Wikimedia Commons has media related toRenault 6.

• Club Renault 4 5 6 y 7 de España

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• Cars discontinued in 1986
• Cars of Argentina

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