Renault- Racing Since 1898 And Still Winning
By Fei Lim

The Renault motor company was first born in 1898, and started out with Louis Renault, one of three brothers driving his A-type Voiturette up the steep Rue Lepic in Montmartre in Paris. This event got Louis his first 12 orders. After that Renault continued to grow to new heights as it continued to race, and win road races in Paris, Berlin, and Paris-Vienna.

During the war in the 1920s, America saw new heights and established themselves as the world's largest carmakers. Renault continued to exist, although they concentrated more on producing tractors, busses, and light commercial cars, rather than their former sporty, racing lines. During the 1920s, Louis Renault built a large factory just outside of Paris.

Louis Renault died in 1944, and after a year's break from production, the Renault motoring company started up production once again under a new chairperson Pierre Lefaucheux, who managed to persuade authorities to allow them to manufacture passenger cars, as well as trucks.

The Renault motoring company continues to grow, and maintains a striking presence in European countries, as well as all over the world. In 1995, Louis Schweitzer handed over his power of the company to Carlos Ghosn at the Renault 2005 annual general meeting. It is said that Carlos Ghosn will be opening a whole new chapter on the Renault Motoring Company's history.

Renault's Cars Of Note

The 4CV
The 4CV was designed by Ferdinand Picard and was known as the 'everyman's vehicle' due to the ending of the war, and post war rationing. The 4CV was a much welcomed smaller passenger car that was sturdy, and inexpensive to run. The 4CV was unveiled in 1946 at a Paris motor show. 1 year later Renault began mass production of the 4CV, which continued up until 1961. The Renault Company also exported the 4CV, and at the time, was the leading source of foreign income.

The Dauphine
After 10 years of 4CV production the Dauphine was launched in 1956, and become the new successor that would replace the 4CV. Almost instantly, the Dauphine became popular both in France, and internationally. In 1959, it is said that more Dauphine's were sold than the popular Volkswagen Beetles.

Twingo
The Twingo was released in 1992, and was the first compact MPV to be released on the market, and was a very successful design for Renault.

Laguna
The Laguna was released in 1993, and replaced the Renault21, and was part of Renault's new concept "cars with flair"

Scenic
The scenic was Renaults first mid-sized MPV on the market, and was one of Renaults best sellers in the Megane range.

Espace
The Espace was given a makeover, and re-introduced into the market in 1996.

Clio 2
The Clio 2 was released in 1998, and was very popular, especially in central, and Eastern Europe.

Logan
The Logan was released in 2004 by Renault to the Romanian and eastern European markets.

Renault And Formula One Racing
Renault has always had a place in racing, and in 1978, Renault made their famous Alpine series with the A442B V6 turbo at LeMans, and went on to Formula one racing with their introduction of the Grand Prix racer RS01, with a turbo charged engine in 1977. Two years later, Renault finished first in the 1979 French Grand Prix and created a trend where many formula one rivals adopted turbo charged engine technology into their racecars.

After a long absence in the formula one racing circles, Renault made a comeback in 2001, by buying the Benetton racing team, and racing under their own colors once again. Renault are now back on the formula one circuit with the team run by Flavio Briatore, and chairman Patrick Faure, and it is said they have their sights set on the world championship title.