Renault 6, 1968

Renault 6, 1968

The Renault 6 was a subcompact automobile produced by the French manufacturer Renault between 1968 and 1980.

The Renault 6 was launched at the 1968 Paris Motor Show, and was intended to be an upmarket alternative to the Renault 4 that would compete with the Citroën Ami 6 and the recently launched Citroën Dyane. The R6 used the R4 platform as well as its 845cc engine and was technically near-identical, but its hatchback body was considerably more modern and resembled the Renault 16.

In its first two years of production, the R6 was criticised by the press for the R4-derived engine's lack of power in the heavier R6. However, a new version of the R6 using the 1.1 litre Cléon engine (an engine used in the Renault 8 since 1962) was unveiled at the 1970 Paris Motor Show and was widely regarded as a big improvement. The new car also had higher equipment levels as well a new gearbox, cooling system and front disc brakes. For the Spanish market the R6 was made available with a 956 cc engine, due to vehicles over 1040 cc being taxable under Spanish tax regulations. In 1974 the R6 was revamped with rectangular headlights, new rear lights, a black plastic grille, and new bumpers. The front indicator lights also moved from between the bumper and the headlights to the bumper itself.

Production and sales in France and most of Europe ended in 1980, but in Spain and Argentina the car was still produced and sold until 1986.