September 2010 44 Pages Draft.pdf - Renault Owners Club Forum

C L A s s I C A N d C o L L E C T o R sRenault 20/30 - 35 th AnniversaryBetween 1975 and 1983, Renault In the mid-1980s, the then state-owned largely the same as the R20 GTL.produced its executive class Romanian manufacturer Dacia produced a (october 1978) - Introduction of the R30“grand tourer” models, the “20” small number of Renault 20s under the TX. It had a more powerful Bosch K-and the “30”. The first had a name Dacia 2000, which were reserved Jetronic fuel-injected 144 PS (106 kW)choice of 1.6- and 2-litre petrol, plus a 2.1-litre diesel engine.The second had a 2.7-litre V6 petrolengine. Equipped with power-assistedsteering, independent suspension, seatcombinations, which could providebetween 14 and 49 cubic feet of storage; itoffered four-door central locking with animpact de-activator, internal headlightlevel adjustment, sumptuous seats andcarpeting, six armrests (in the 30), theycould carry five people very comfortablyand were the flagships of the Renaultrange.In 1981 the 20/30 range, for the UK wasmodified. The new 20TX was introducedwhich had a 2.2-litre petrol engine, alloywheels, an updated dashboard , infra-redentirely for the dignitaries and secretpolice of the Communist government ledby Nicolae Ceauşescu. A speciallyprepared Renault 20 Turbo 4x4 driven byBernard Marreau won the Paris-Alger-Dakar Rally in 1982.production figures:R1270: 20/30 Turbo-D - 27,601R1271: 20 L/TL/GTL - 187,001R1272: 20 TS - 201,401R1273 No figures availableR1275: 30 TS - 68,401R1276: 20 TD/GTD - 84,801R1277: 20 LS/TS - 100,401R1278: 30 TX - 40,401R1279: 20 TX - 33,801Timeline:(march 1975) - Introduction of theRenault 30 TS, a large 5-door hatchbackpowered by the 2664 cc V6 PRV engine(developed jointly between Peugeot,Renault and Volvo), with a choice ofeither a 4-speed manual or 3-speedautomatic gearbox. It had power-assistedsteering, two twin round Quartz-Iodide(QI) headlights, electric front windowsand central locking.version of the 2664 cc V6 engine with 5-speed manual or 3-speed automaticgearbox. It offered alloy wheels, allroundelectric windows, electric sunroof,velour upholstery, and all-round headrestraints.(1979) - Revisions to all models: driver'sside rear fog light and rear seat belts. TheR20 TS received a new cooling fan,inertia reel rear seat belts, a newwindscreen wiper switch, and the choiceof a 5-speed gearbox. The R30 TS wasfitted with a more powerful 130 PS (96kW) engine, and small pocket in thedrivers sun visor. Introduction of the R20LS, having the same mechanicalspecification as the R20 TS, but theequipment specification of the R20 TL.(september 1979) - Introduction of theR20 diesel (in TD and GTD forms) withnew 2068 cc diesel (67 PS (49 kW))engine, 5-speed gearbox, negative offsetfront suspension, and larger four-studwheel rims.(1980) - All models were given apantograph driver’s side wiper, and acompletely restyled interior, with newcentral "plip" locking, cruise (November 1975) - Introduction of the dashboard and instrument panel from thecontrol/speed limiter, headlight and rearscreen wash-wipers, remote external doormirror adjustment and four head-rests.Although the 30TX had been unveiled atthe 1978 Paris Motor Show, it, too, had itsspecification up-graded, with additionalsix door central "plip" locking (rear hatchand fuel filler flap), rear passengercourtesy light, 15 seconds interior lightdelay, an “overhead” bulb and doormonitor, disc brakes all around and BoschK-Jetronic fuel injection to feed its V6unit.The new breed of TX were produced foreighteen months only until October 1983,when the 20/30 range was superseded bythe R25. In eight years, approximately750,000 Grand Tourers were created, yetthere are probably less than half-a-dozenworking examples, in the UK andcertainly more in Europe.Andy MitchellRenault 20, in L, TL and GTLspecifications, with the smaller 4-cylinder1647 cc (90 PS (66 kW)) all alloy R16engine and 4-speed gearbox. The L hadvery basic trim and no hubcaps. The TLhad a better equipment level, while theGTL had much the same equipment levelas the TS. Automatic transmission wasoptional on the R20 TL and R20 GTL.Quartz Iodide Headlights optional on allR20 models.(1976) - The R20’s 1647cc engine had thepower rating increased to 96 PS (71 kW).All models received a restyled instrumentpanel visor. The R30 TS’s power droppedfrom 130 to 125 PS (96 to 92 kW).Optional wheels with steel and alloybecoming available with Michelin TRXtyres.(July 1977) - Introduction of the R20 TS.It had a new single OHC 1995 cc engine(rated at 109 PS (80 kW)), with the choiceof a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automaticgearbox. The equipment level remainedRenault Fuego. All petrol models receiveda new type of automatic transmissionoption. The R20 TL/GTL were fitted witha new alternator with built-in electronicregulator and new 3-spoke alloy wheelrims. The R20 TS now had the wheel rimsfrom the R30 TS. The R30 TS/TX wasfitted with a chrome grille surround.(1981) - All R20 models received newdual-circuit braking system and negativeoffset front suspension. The R20 GTL wasdiscontinued.(1981) - R30TS discontinued. A new 2.2-litre engine rated at 115 PS (85 kW) wasintroduced in the new 20 TX. A new 2.0-litre diesel engine rated at 60 PS (44 kW)was added to the R20 range.(1982) - A new turbo-diesel enginedelivering 85 PS (63 kW) and derivedfrom the naturally-aspirated diesel enginewas introduced in the new R30 Turbo D.(1983) - The R20 and R30 ceaseproduction, to be replaced by Renault 25.Alasdair Worsley & Renault resources.R E N o T E s m A G A Z I N E195