Renault 4 (R1121). 1961–94 (prod. 8,135,424). 5-door estate, utility convertible; two-door fastback pick-up. F/F, 603, 747, 782, 845, 956, 1020, 1108 cm³ (I4 OHV). Replacement for 4CV conceived as a response to Citroën 2CV, which was overtaking the Renault in sales. Soft suspension for rural buyers who might use 4s on the farm; front-wheel-drive transmission and four-wheel independent suspension. Separate chassis and body, rather than 4CV’s monocoque, for simplicity. Four-speed gearbox from 1968, the year of the 4’s facelift. Argentinian 4 had 1020 cm³ engine. GTL with 1·1-litre from 1978. Additional models added, such as fourgonette in 1962; limited-edition Parisienne in 1964 with a tartan pattern, in association with Elle magazine; Plein Air from 1968 to 1970; Rodeo from 1970 to 1987. Various pick-ups not covered here; and, in Uruguay, unusual fastback pick-up, called Mini 4, conceived by Santa Rosa. Rebodied 4, called the Renault 6, from 1968, but the utilitarian 4 managed to outlive it. Billancourt production ceased 1987, with Slovenia the last country to put out a 4 in 1994.

Manufacturing locations: Billancourt, Somme, France; Valladolid, Spain; Guarda, Portugal; Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia; Vilvoorde, Belgium; Novo Mesto, Yugoslavia and Slovenia; Ciudad Sahagún, México; Los Andes, Chile; Santa Isabel, Argentina; Naas, Ireland; Wexford, Ireland; Milano, Italy; Heidelberg, Australia; Garzón, Maldonado, Uruguay

Marque: Renault | Predecessors: Renault 4CV, Renault 3 | Successor: Renault Twingo I

q.v. Renault 3