NEW RENAULT

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21991, 15 January 1937, Page 7

NEW RENAULT

AIRLUXE SALOON FOR 1937 ATTRACTIVE 12 H.P. CAR y i. " l, g HIGH TRADITIONS ARE s MAINTAINED s s g 'I Although cars by Renault have been - off the Christchurch market for some ' years, there are still numbers of the snub-nosed model by this manufacr turer on the streets, and they have an ;t enviable reputation for dependability s and service. Now it has been decided a to bring out models of the Renault for n 1937. The first of them, the Renault - 12 horse-power airluxe saloon, arrived in Christchurch a little more y than a week ago. Remembering the ''■- high traditions of this car, the driver n stepping into it for the first tune exe pects a performance that will at least y compare very favourably with any;T thing else on the market in its class. 11 And he can hardly be disappointed, [ ' f for the Renault soon reveals itself as i a car of smart performance, with eco- ' nomy, and peculiarly suited to all e classes of travelling. :+ There are five good reasons why it should be emphasised that the Renault s is peculiarly suited to all classes of a travelling. The first of these is roorru-

ness. Seating accommodation is a major consideration in cars that are used solely or largely for pleasure, and it is here that Renault scores its first lot of high marks. Although it a is only al2 horse-power four-cylinder car, it has room to carry six passengers in comfort, and, of course, comfort means plenty of head room and leg room and a reasonable amount of space to move the arms. This roominess has been achieved by very careful attention to design. If you look at ; the car from in front of the radiator you will see thai at no point is it wider than it is at the front seat,, so that there is just as much room for passengers in front as there is behind. The bodies of many cars do not reach their maximum width until behind the front seat Luggage Compartment So much having been said of the Renault's passenger-carrying capacity, attention may be directed to the possibilities of the car for commercial work. Here again, of course, the seating capacity would be valuable, but something that would probably be more appreciated is the very admirable arrangement for carrying parcels. The back cushion of the rear seat in the Renault lifts up and fastens by a strap to a dome in the roof. In the cavity thus revealed is a speciallymade case complete with locks and handles. This can be lilted out, packed with a substantial number of parcels, and replaced with the greatest of ease. Tools are not carried in this compartment. With the spare tyre, they rest in another cavity in the tail, reached from the outside. The second of the five reasons mentioned is economy and the third is cruising speed. In a test conducted by "The Press" recently, it was not possible to try out petrol consumption, but it .'is reliably stated that the Renault will do 35 miles to the gallon If that is so, and there is no reason to doubt it, it is, of course, a strong recommendation for the car in itself. On the results of the test it could be said that a reasonable cruising speed is about 50 miles an hour. That speed could bs maintained for long distances without any stress on the engine. Gn hills, of course, the driver of any small car expects to use his gears, but on the Renault's test performance there must be few ■ hills that would require the use of the lowest gear. Given a fair start with a change-down at the bottom, second gear was more than adequate for a dash up the hill at Rapaki. Revs, were easily . maintained and there was no sign of strain on the engine, which, by the way, was new. Easy Handling The next feature to recommend the Renault is the ease with which it can be handled. The driving position is really excellent. That is to say, it is comfortable and safe and the wheel is light but sure in its action. It is "liard to imagine any driver having misgivings about tackling a long journey in this car. for the controls are so easy that they should add little to the ordinary fatigue of travelling. One thing that should be mentioned is the considerateness of the designer in providing a very comfortable rest for the driver's left arm. When this is not wanted it fan be folded into the back cushion of the seat. To complete the five reasons, it remains only to mention the riding qualities of the Renault. Springs are semielliptic in the front and transverse at the rear and there are four hydraulic shock absorbers. This combination is very effective on the Renault. There are probably few rougher roads near Christchurch than that which leads to the sewage farm at Bromley—it is full of deep potholes J

and lumps. Yet when the Renault was driven over there at speed, it rode remarkably steadily. Most drivers would be satisfied if their large cars rode as well. Special Features This brief outline of the new Renault would not be complete without mention of a few of the special features. There is the all-steel body, sunshine roof, hand-brake under the dash, and the jacking system. The car can be jacked from inside and the front or back wheels caw be raised alone or all four together. When the time arrives for the car to be lowered to 'the'ground'again, the jacks automatically recede into their sockets. The Renault cylinder head and sump are detachable and the valves are side by side. The carburettor is of the downdraught type and lubrication is by pressure by a geared pump. Chassis lubrication is by grease gun. The three forward gears are standard with synchromesh and second is silent. The brakes are internal expanding and the petrol tank, carried al the rear, holds 10 gallons. The track is 4ft 4in. the wheelbase Bft llin, overall length 13ft 9in, overall width sft 3in, and height 'sft 3in. The price is £365. The Renault is a versatile little car, attractive to look at, economical to run, and a pleasure to drive in any conditions.