English Magazine
Autocar, 22nd July 1971
In what looks like an attempt to spike the guns of the often premature French
press, Renault have released brief details of their new coupes, which will
make their debut at the Paris Salon.
ALTHOUGH full details of the new Renault 15 and 17 will not be announced
until September, pictures and a technical specification are released this
week. The new car is a two-doorfastback coupe available in two engine sizes
with three different power outputs.
From the length of the front overhang it would appear that the new car has
the engine ahead of the front wheels as on the Renault 12 and not behind
like the 4, 6 and 16.
The engine of the Renault 15 is very similar to that of the Renault 12.
Having a capacity of 1,289 c.c. An increase in compression ratio from 8.5
to 9.5 to 1 puts the DIN power output up from 54 to 60 bhp.
The other three versions all have a larger engine with a capacity of 1,565
c.c. and opposed valves operated by inclined pushrods and rockers. In the
15 TS and 17 TL the output is 90 bhp, slightly more than the 83 bhp of the
16 TS (achieved again by an increase in compression ratio), and in the 17
TS electronic fuel injection raises this still further to 108 bhp at 6.000
rpm.
A normal disc front, drum rear brake installation is fitted to the 15 and
the 15 TS, 17 TL and 17 TS have ventilated discs at the front. The 17 TS
also has rear discs. All cars have a vacuum servo, divided hydraulic circuits
and a pressure limiting valve for the rear brakes sensitive to ride height.
For the 15 a top speed of over 93 mph is claimed, with 105 mph possible
on the 15TS and 17TLThe 17TS will do 112mph.
The difference between the 15 and 17 models is in the rear quarters. The
15 having long side windows and the 17 smaller windows with louvres behind.
Return to 15/17 Home Page.
15/17
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