Economy And Good Performance From The Renault Dauphine

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28767, 12 December 1958, Page 9

Economy And Good Performance From The Renault Dauphine

pRODUCED at the Renault factory at Billancourt at the rate of 1400 a day, more than 500,000 Dauphines have been produced in the last two and a half years. Costing £1139 in New Zealand, these rear-engined cars represent one of France’s most successful attempts at a small car. Aerodynamics have played a large part in the design of this model, and this factor, together with a small high-performance engine, gives it outstanding performance for its size. The car’s handling qualities are impeccable. Luggage Room

The outward appearance of the car is pleasing, with a long bonnet which covers a roomy luggage compartment. The only encumbrance is the battery. The spare wheel is cleverly fitted in a special cradle under the compartment floor, to which access is

gained by swinging the front number plate forward. Visibility is excellent as the result of a large curved windscreen with steeply inclined, pillars. Safety has been carefully watched, and the instrument panel and top of the front windscreen are padded in rubber. The steering wheel is semi-flexible and the controls are of plastic. The Dauphine has a three-speed gearbox, with synchromesh on top and second. The engine is remarkable in output. A genuine 70 miles an hour is obtainable from the 845 cc. unit, although at high speed its noise is rather obtrusive. It is a four-cylinder, water-cooled engine, with overhead valves and wet cylinder liners. At a constant speed of 40 miles an hour, it uses only a gallon every 43 miles. Efficient Heating The heating of the car is highly efficient, provided by air warmed by contact with the radiator. Openings are at floor level in both front and rear, as well as in the fascia for screen defrosting. In road manners, this car is hard to better. On corners it remains glued to tjie road by virtue of its independent suspension with helical springs and shock absorbers, and there is never a trace of lurch. Competition Successes This car has gained some notable victories over bigger rivals in the Mille Miglia and Liege-Rome-Liege, rally, and has shown it is quite capablb of standing up to extremely rough treatment. For New Zealand, with its relatively high and economical cruising speed, coupled with great ease for city parking, it is ideally suited, but the price is the big drawback. By comparison with other Continental makes available, however, it compares more than favourably, and is a worthy product of one of France’s oldest motor companies.