Renault 9 & 11

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Renault 9 / 11
R9 Phase 1 R11 Phase 1
Manufacturer	Renault
Production	1981 to 1989 (1996 in Colombia)
Predecessor	Renault 14
Successor	Renault 19
Class	Small family car
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback 2-door saloon 4-door saloon 2-door convertible
Layout	FF layout

The Renault 9 and Renault 11 were two small family cars produced by the French manufacturer Renault between 1981 and 1988.

[edit] Overview

The Renault 9 was a four-door saloon, launched in the fall of 1981. The Renault 11 was a three- or five-door hatchback, which followed in the spring of 1983.

A version of the 9 was produced by American Motors Corporation (AMC) in the United States, where it was known as the Renault Alliance (although it also bore a discreet AMC badge on its rear window). As well as the four-door model, AMC offered an Alliance with an American designed two-door saloon body (which had higher proportioned rear wheel arches than the 4-door), and from 1984, a convertible version. There were plans for a station wagon of the Alliance, although they did not materialize.

The Renault 9 was awarded the 1982 European Car of the Year, while the Alliance appeared on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 1983, and was the 1983 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

Although the 9 and 11 cars had different names and body styles, they were in fact identical under the skin, and were intended to jointly replace the older Renault 14. The 11 was also distinguishable from the 9 by its front end, which featured square twin headlights, which had been introduced on the Alliance in North America. The 9 also received this new front end in 1985 and both models were face-lifted for a final time with matching nose and interior upgrades for the 1987 model year.

[edit] Engines

Both cars used Renault's ageing C-type overhead valve engines in 1.1  or 1.4 litre format, and a basic suspension design which won few plaudits for the driving experience. The exceptions were the 9 Turbo and the 11 Turbo hot hatch, which used the turbocharged engine from the Renault 5. Although the cars were heavier than the Renault 5, the power from the engine was enough to ensure higher performance, thanks to its 115 hp DIN (85 kW). The rally-tuned version was impressively fast, producing a 220 bhp.

The newer F-type engine which had been developed in collaboration with Volvo appeared in later years in 1.7 L guise, powering the upmarket GTX, TXE and Electronic (Electronique in France) versions. The Alliance and Encore, while comparatively underpowered, had a definite advantage in ride and handling against other small cars available in America at the time and even had their own SCCA spec-racing series, the Alliance Cup.

[edit] Different versions around the world

[edit] Colombia

SOFASA started manufacturing the Renault 9 in 1983, launching the version GTL with 1400 cc and modest 60bhp. This model's engine capacity was reduced to 1300 cc and became the entry model when the better equipped GTS (1400 cc) was launched in 1985.

The next European face-lifted versions of the Renault 9 in the country were known as the Gama 2. In 1987, the TL (1300 cc) was introduced followed by the much more advanced TSE 1.3 and GTX 1.4 in 1988. The latter featured front power windows, a spoiler, and a better interior. The new top-of-the-range TXI was launched in 1989 and introduced updated front lights, power mirrors and the TIR - An infrared remote control to operate the locks. In 1990 SOFASA marketed a 50-vehicle, 50th special edition Prestige based on this model but with leather seats and alloy rims.

In 1992 these versions ceased production and three models were introduced: The basic Brío (1300 cc), the mid-range Súper (also with 1300 cc better equipped) and the Máximo(1600 cc). In 1995 the Brío was renamed Brío RN so it could be differentiated of the new and slightly more sophisticated Brío RT. A more powerful variant (1600 cc) of the otherwise identical RT was called Óptimo.

By mid-1996 SOFASA decided to experiment a much more flexible way to offer cars to the market. Called Personnalité, the idea allowed customers to choose from different engines and accessories so they could assemble the car they wanted within their budget. This was possible through special software ran in the car dealers. A year later, a face-lifted version featured fuel injection, assisted steering and a completely new interior.

After 16 years of production, the Renault 9 was discontinued in Colombia and was replaced by the Renault 19 and the Renault Mégane.

[edit] Europe

In Europe, the Renault 9 was available in the following versions:

• C, 1.1-litre 4-cylinder
• TC, 1.1-litre 4-cylinder, 1.2-litre 4-cylinder, 1.4-litre 4-cylinder
• TL, 1.1-litre, 4-cylinder, 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, 1.6 diesel
• GTL, 1.4-litre 4-cylinder
• TR 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder
• TS 1.4-litre 4-cylinder
• TLE 1.4-litre 4-cylinder
• GTS 1.4-litre 4-cylinder
• TSE 1.4-litre 4-cylinder
• TX 1.7-litre, 4-cylinder
• GTX 1.7-litre 4-cylinder
• TXE 1.7-litre 4-cylinder
• GTE 1.7-litre 4-cylinder
• TD, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder diesel
• GTD, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder diesel

In Europe, the Renault 11 was available in the following versions:

• C, 1.1-litre 4-cylinder producing 47 bhp (35 kW)
• TC, 1.1-litre 4-cylinder (producing 47 bhp (35 kW)), later 1.2 litre 4-cylinder (producing 55 bhp (41 kW))
• GTC, 1.1-litre 4-cylinder (producing 47 bhp (35 kW)), later 1.2 litre 4-cylinder (producing 55 bhp (41 kW))
• TL, 1.4-litre 4-cylinder producing 60 bhp (45 kW), 68 bhp (51 kW) from 1985
• GTL, 1.4-litre 4-cylinder producing 60 bhp (45 kW), 68 bhp (51 kW) from 1985
• TD, 1.6-diesel 4-cylinder (producing 55 bhp (41 kW))
• TR 1.2-litre 4-cylinder, 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder (55 bhp (41 kW)/60 bhp (45 kW) respectively)
• TS 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, twin choke carb producing 72 bhp (54 kW)
• GTS 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, twin choke carb producing 72 bhp (54 kW)
• TSE 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, twin choke carb producing 72 bhp (54 kW)
• TX 1.7-litre, 4-cylinder, twin choke carb producing 82 bhp (61 kW)
• GTX 1.7-litre, 4-cylinder, twin choke carb producing 82 bhp (61 kW)
• TXE 1.7-litre 4-cylinder, twin choke carb producing 82 bhp (61 kW)
• Electronic 1.7-litre 4-cylinder, twin choke carb producing 82 bhp (61 kW)
• Diesel, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, producing 55 bhp (41 kW)
• Automatic, 1.4-litre 4-cylinder with a special lower torque version of the GTL engine producing 68 bhp (51 kW).
• Turbo, 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, single choke carb with turbo charger producing 105 bhp (78 kW), later 115 bhp (86 kW).

4 speed manual gearboxes were standard on lower specification models (C,TC,TL,TR). 5 speed gearboxes were optional on most of these models and standard on all others. The automatic version featured special trim and a 3 speed, fully computer controlled automatic gearbox. The engine coupled to the automatic was a special high torque version of the 1397 cc cleon unit fitted to GTL and GTS models.

[edit] Last years

The Alliance and Encore (renamed the Alliance Hatchback in the 1987 model year) were dropped after Chrysler's buyout of AMC in 1987. The Alliance did get one last hurrah in the American marketplace in 1987 with the one-year-only GTA coupé and convertible. These had a higher-performance 2.0 L engine, sport suspension, an aerodynamic body kit, Ronal wheels, and other "sporting" upgrades. Made in limited quantities, the GTA is something of a collector's item today. The failure of the Renault management to recognize the North American demand for more powerful engines earlier on in the Alliance's run is considered one of the contributing factors to American Motors' downfall.^{[citation needed]}

The Renault 9 and 11 continued in production until 1988, when it was replaced in Europe by the Renault 19.

[edit] Film and TV appearances

A blue Renault 11 TXE was shown in the 1985 James Bond film A View to a Kill, where Bond (played for the final time by Roger Moore) steals a Renault 11 taxi from a Parisian cab driver and uses it to pursue an assassin (portrayed by Grace Jones). In a sequence coordinated by famed French stuntman Rémy Julienne, the car has its roof torn off in the resulting car chase, and is then chopped in half in a collision with a Renault 20.

[edit] External links

• History of the Renault 9 in Colombia (manufactured between 1983-2000)

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Type	1940s					1950s										1960s										1970s										1980s
	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Economy car																	3 / 4
Supermini																												5 / 7													Super 5
Small family car		4CV										Dauphine						8/10						6								14						9/11
Large family car	Juvaquatre																							12										18								21
Executive car							Frégate														16										20/30								25
Gran Turismo																						Torino
Coupé																											15/17									Fuego
Roadster														Caravelle
Off-roader																									Rodeo 4/6												Rodeo

v • d • e « previous — Renault car timeline, 1980s–present
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
City car														Twingo														Twingo II
Supermini	5 / 7					Super 5					Clio I								Clio II / Thalia							Clio III
Small family car	14		9 / 11						19							Mégane I								Mégane II						Mégane III
Large family car	18						21								Laguna I						Laguna II								Laguna III
Executive car	20 / 30			25									Safrane									Vel Satis
Leisure activity vehicle															Kangoo I														Kangoo II
SUV																													Koleos
Mini MPV																									Modus
Compact MPV																	Scénic I						Scénic II
Large MPV					Espace I							Espace II						Espace III					Espace IV
Coupé	Fuego																					Avantime
Roadster																Spider