The History Of Renault 19

The Renault 19 is a small family car produced by French automaker Renault between 1988 and 2000.

The 19 was the replacement for the 9 and 11, both of which were ageing and outdated by the late 1980s. The 19 was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, featuring Renault's new E-type (or "Energy") 1.4-litre engine and F-type 1.7 and 1.8-litre versions. Base models used the OHV C-type "Cléon" 1.2 and 1.4-litre engines.

Intended to be Renault's last numeric-named car, the 19 ushered in a new naming policy, with the saloon versions of the 19 being known as the "19 Chamade" to distinguish them from the hatchbacks. However, the "Chamade" badge was dropped following the 1992 facelift. In 1991 a convertible bodystyle built by Karmann was introduced. Although the R19's exterior design (which was relatively conservative, like that of the Renault 9/ 11) received a muted response, it was praised for its interior comfort and handling.

In the summer of 1992, a revamped model was introduced with a substantially restyled front and rear, while left hand drive market versions received a new dashboard and interior - right hand drive models retained the original design.

The 19 was sold in Europe until 1996, and was produced for South American markets in Argentina until 1999. The 19's platform and running gear would continue to be used in its replacement, the first generation Renault Mégane.

• Car Of The Year 1989 (Spain)
• Car Of The Year 1989 (Germany)
• Imported Car #1 1989 and 1990 (Germany)
• Car Of The Year 1993 (Argentina)

• 5-door hatchback
• 4-door "Chamade"
• 3-door hatchback
• Convertible "Cabriolet"

Gasoline

• 1.2 "C2G" (1239 cc) 8-valve, 55bhp (41kW; 56PS); top speed: 156km/ h (97mph)

• 1.2e "Energy" "E7F" (1171 cc) 8-valve monopoint injection, 62bhp (46kW; 63PS); top speed: 158km/ h (98mph)

• 1.4 "C2J" (1397 cc) 8-valve, 65bhp (48kW; 66PS); top speed: 159km/ h (99mph)

• 1.4e "Energy" "E7J" (1390 cc) 8-valve 94bhp (70kW; 95PS); top speed: 198km/ h (123mph)

• 1.6 "C2L" (1565 cc) 8-valve, 73bhp (54kW; 74PS); top speed: 163km/ h (101mph)

• 1.6i "C3L" (1565 cc) 8-valve monopoint injection, 78bhp (58kW; 79PS); top speed: 165km/ h (103mph)

• 1.7 "F2N" (1721 cc) 8-valve, 92bhp (69kW; 93PS); top speed: 178km/ h (111mph)

• 1.7ie "F3N" (1721 cc) 8-valve multipoint injection, 107bhp (80kW; 108PS); top speed: 190km/ h (118mph)

• 1.8 "F2P" (1794 cc) 8-valve, 95bhp (71kW; 96PS); top speed: 185km/ h (115mph)

• 1.8ie "F3P" (1794 cc) 8-valve multipoint injection, 115bhp (86kW; 117PS); top speed: 197km/ h (122mph)

• 1.8 16S "F7P" (1764 cc) 16-valve multipoint injection, 137/ 140 bhp; top speed: 217/ 220 km/ h (136/ 138 mph)

Diesel

• 1.9 d "F8Q" (1870 cc) 8-valve multipoint injection, 65/ 70 bhp; top speed: 162/ 166 km/ h (101/ 104 mph)

• 1.9 dT "F8Q" (1870 cc) 8-valve multipoint injection + turbo, 95bhp (71kW; 96PS); top speed: 183km/ h (114mph)

• 1.9 dTi "F8Q" (1870 cc) 8-valve multipoint injection + turbo, 100bhp (75kW; 101PS); top speed: 187km/ h (116mph)

Pre-facelift (1988–92)

• 19 TR 1.2 55bhp (41kW; 56PS)
• 19 TR 1.4 65bhp (48kW; 66PS)
• 19 TS 1.4 Energy 80bhp (60kW; 81PS)
• 19 TD 1.9 65bhp (48kW; 66PS)
• 19 GTR 1.4 65bhp (48kW; 66PS)
• 19 GTX 1.7 92bhp (69kW; 93PS)
• 19 GTD 1.9 65bhp (48kW; 66PS)
• 19 Turbo D 1.9 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 TSE 1.4ie 94bhp (70kW; 95PS)
• 19 TXE 1.7 92bhp (69kW; 93PS)
• 19 TXE 1.8 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 Turbo DX 1.9 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 TXI 1.7ie 107bhp (80kW; 108PS) (1989–92)
• 19 16V 1.8 140bhp (104kW; 142PS) (1990–92)

Post-facelift (1992–97)

• 19 RL 1.2e 60bhp (45kW; 61PS)
• 19 RL 1.4 65bhp (48kW; 66PS)
• 19 RL 1.4ie 94bhp (70kW; 95PS)
• 19 RLd 1.9 70bhp (52kW; 71PS)
• 19 RN 1.4 80bhp (60kW; 81PS)
• 19 RN 1.7 92bhp (69kW; 93PS)
• 19 RN 1.8 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 RNd 1.9 70bhp (52kW; 71PS)
• 19 RNdT 1.9 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 RT 1.7 92bhp (69kW; 93PS)
• 19 RT 1.8 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 RT 1.8ie 115bhp (86kW; 117PS)
• 19 RTd 1.9 70bhp (52kW; 71PS)
• 19 RTdT 1.9 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 RSi 1.8ie 115bhp (86kW; 117PS)
• 19 Baccara 1.8 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 Baccara 1.8ie 115bhp (86kW; 117PS)
• 19 16v 1.8 135bhp (101kW; 137PS)

1997-2000

• 19 RL / Europa 1.4 65bhp (48kW; 66PS)
• 19 RL / Europa 1.6 74bhp (55kW; 75PS)
• 19 RL / Europa 1.4e 80bhp (60kW; 81PS)
• 19 RLd / Europa 1.9 70bhp (52kW; 71PS)
• 19 RN / Latitude 1.4ie 94bhp (70kW; 95PS)
• 19 RN / Latitude 1.6 74bhp (55kW; 75PS)
• 19 RN / Latitude 1.6i 78bhp (58kW; 79PS)
• 19 RN / Latitude 1.7 92bhp (69kW; 93PS)
• 19 RN / Latitude 1.8 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 RNd / Latitude 1.9 70bhp (52kW; 71PS)
• 19 RNdT / Latitude 1.9 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 RNdTi / Latitude 1.9 100bhp (75kW; 101PS)
• 19 RT / Alizé 1.44e 94bhp (70kW; 95PS)
• 19 RT / Alizé 1.7 92bhp (69kW; 93PS)
• 19 RT / Alizé 1.8 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 RT / Alizé 1.8ie 115bhp (86kW; 117PS)
• 19 RTd / Alizé 1.9 70bhp (52kW; 71PS)
• 19 RTdT / Alizé 1.9 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 RTdTi / Alizé 1.9 100bhp (75kW; 101PS)
• 19 RSi 1.8ie 115bhp (86kW; 117PS)
• 19 Baccara 1.8 95bhp (71kW; 96PS)
• 19 Baccara 1.8ie 115bhp (86kW; 117PS)
• 19 16v 1.8 140bhp (104kW; 142PS)

• Douai (France)
• Maubeuge (France)
• Haren-Vilvoorde (Belgium)
• Laguna de Duero, Valladolid (Spain)
• Villamuriel de Cerrato, Palencia (Spain)
• Setubal (Portugal)
• Santa Isabel, Córdoba (Argentina)
• Curitiba (Brasil)
• Envigado (Colombia)
• Oyak-Renault Bursa (Turkey)

The Renault 19 16v hot hatch had a distinctive air inlet on the bonnet, a rear spoiler, 15 inch "Speedline" alloy wheels, sideskirts, twin headlamps, bucket seats and a trip computer. The braking system was uprated to include 259mm (10.2in) vented discs on the front and 237mm (9.3in) discs on the rear as well as an uprated lower suspension setup. Phase 1 editions also benefitted from unique front and rear bumpers with front indicators relocated into the bumpers to allow for the twin headlamps, while the Phase 2 retained the original bumpers found throughout the range but added colour-coded tops, rubber inserts and discreet lower splitter.

The very last models were called Executive and came with leather interior as standard. A 16S version was also produced in Europe which was as above but without a bonnet vent. The gear ratios were also revised to allow for the extra weight found in the safety equipment the later models carried. 0-60mph (97km/ h) acceleration times were in the region of 8.2 seconds for phase 2 models and 7.5 seconds for phase 1 models, however the phase 2 and phase 1 models have been known to hit 7.2 seconds 0-60 if really pushed. Both boasted 137bhp (102kW; 139PS) and a top speed of around 140mph (230km/ h); an impressive feat for a 1.8 litre normally aspirated engine in a reasonably priced small family car of its day.

The 19 16V laid the foundations, along with the Renault 5 GT Turbo, for the Renault Sport department of the company, which develops high-performance tuned versions of standard Renault cars.