Los RENAULT DESCONOCIDOS… en España

Renault's history in Spain is a success story, inextricably linked to the factories in Valladolid and Palencia. However, to understand why many iconic models from the French automaker never reached our roads, we must analyze the socio-political context of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. #cars #classiccars #renault Become a member of this channel to enjoy exclusive benefits:    / @garajehermético   At that time, Spain was a self-sufficient market protected by a "glass wall" in the Pyrenees: tariffs. Importing a finished car from France could mean paying more than 100% of its value in taxes, which turned French Renaults into myths we only saw when tourists arrived in the summer. FASA (Fabricación de Automóviles Sociedad Anónima) manufactured under license, but with one strict condition: the cars had to have a very high percentage of domestically produced components. If a model was technologically complex or its potential market was small—like coupes, large sedans, or V6 engines—bringing the specific machinery to Valladolid simply wasn't cost-effective. Today we take a journey through those lesser-known Renaults that defined an era on the other side of the border. The Pioneers and Luxury Sedans The Renault Colorale (1950-1957) is perhaps one of the most fascinating and forgotten models. Long before the term SUV was coined, the Colorale offered a huge, robust station wagon body with 4x4 versions developed by specialists. On the other hand, the Renault Frégate (1951-1960) represented postwar French elegance. A sedan with flowing lines and independent suspension on all four wheels, it competed directly with the Citroën 11 Ligero. While in France it was the quintessential executive car, in Spain that niche was filled by Seat with the 1400. FASA was so overwhelmed producing the 4/4 and the Dauphine that fitting a 4.7-meter sedan onto the assembly line was logistically unfeasible. The design revolution and the rejection of the hatchback One of the most curious cases is that of the Renault 16 (1965-1980). It is, possibly, the model most missed by enthusiasts. It was revolutionary: it combined the elegance of a sedan with the practicality of a van thanks to its fifth door. However, FASA's management made a historical miscalculation: they believed that Spanish buyers associated the hatchback with cargo vehicles and that a "status" car should have a separate trunk. In the same vein of exclusivity, we find the Renault Rambler (1962-1967). Thanks to an alliance with the American company AMC, Renault marketed this six-cylinder behemoth in Europe. It was a "sofa on wheels," laden with chrome, that simply couldn't fit through the narrow streets of Spanish cities at the time. Coupés, fuel injection, and the power of the V6 In the 1970s, the range diversified in France with the Renault 15 and 17. They were the "handsome siblings" of the R12. The R15 was the entry-level option, while the R17 featured a much more aggressive design, with four round headlights and louvers on the C-pillar that gave it a "mini muscle car" look. The Renault 20 and 30 represented the pinnacle of the range. The R30 was the first six-cylinder Renault in decades, equipped with the PRV V6 engine. With ventilated disc brakes and power steering as standard, it was a technical marvel. However, Spanish taxation heavily penalized large-displacement engines, and Renault Spain didn't want to engage in a direct battle with imported brands like BMW and Mercedes, which were just beginning to make their presence felt. "Spicy" versions and the Safrane dream Even when models did arrive in Spain, we often missed out on the higher-performance versions. This was the case with the Renault 9 Turbo, which in France was a lightweight and incredibly fast sports car with the engine from the R5 Copa Turbo, while here the R9 always maintained a serious image as a "doctor's or teacher's car." The same happened with the Renault 18 Turbo, whose station wagon version ("Break") never reached our roads despite being a very advanced "family car" concept for its time. The last great "banned" model was the Renault Safrane Biturbo (1994-1996). In the 90s, borders were already open, but this car was a commercial phenomenon. With all-wheel drive and 268 hp, its price today would be equivalent to more than €200,000. It was a phantom on our roads, Renault's attempt to take on the BMW M5, demonstrating what French engineering was capable of when given free rein.