English Magazine
Autosport, 17th February 1977
The slightly bewildering range of Renault models is undergoing some pruning
and the sport coupes, of the 15/17 series, have been reduced to two types.
The 15 GTL has the evergreen 1289cc engine, with cast-iron block, and the
17 TS is propelled by the 1647cc light-alloy unit that is also found in
the excellent 20 TL saloon. In this case, however, it is mated with thte
five-speed gearbox, which we have met before in the 16 TX and the 17 Gordini.
The 17 Gordini itself is a casualty of rationalisation. With a millimetre
less in the cylinder bores, it used to develop 108bhp compared with 98bhp
for the new larger unit, but it was more highly tuned and had electronic
fuel injection. Evidently, the Regie Renault decided that such sporting
models were best left to Alpine, the 17 TS following the modern trend which
subordinates ultimate performance to luxury.
It is no problem to identify the two varieties, the 15 GTL having plain
glass windows while the 17 TS has a different treatment, with louvres covering
the glass in the rear quarters, in addition to four headlamps. The latter
car is the prestige model and it is available with a some what costly package
of extra equipment, which includes an electrically-operated sun roof, with
similar provision for the front windows, and tinted glass. The test car
was fitted with these luxury items but had the five-speed gearbox instead
of the advanced Renault automatic transmission, which is another optional
extra.
As the coupes are based on the Renault 12 chassis, the rear suspension is
by a trailing dead axle, instead of the rather more sophisticated independent
rear end of the 30/20 range. There are wishbones in front in conjunction
with rack and pinion steering, the disc front and drum rear brakes being
of useful size.
The body is of two-plus-two configuration. Meaning that the people in front
should not push their seats too far back when there are rear passengers
to be considered. The front seats are of a new type, with sprung pads to
give extra support behind the knees and supplementary side pads for lateral
location. The decadent modern fashion for excessively high scuttles has
not been followed and one gets a good all-round view, even when adopting
a somewhat reclining attitude. This is not a semi-estate type of body, but
there is a large rear hatch for loading the spacious boot and a rising shelf
conceals the luggage.
The 17TS is both smaller and lighter than the similarly engined 20TL, so
it predictably has a greater performance. It can attain 100 mph in fourth
gear, but there is a lot of noise at this speed and one is glad to change
into fifth, which permits l05 mph to be attained and held with a good deal
less commotion. In ordinary driving, one would change up rather earlier
to reduce the clamour. The engine is a willing worker, with the low-speed
torque for which Renaults have long been renowned, but the comparatively
small body shell makes the engine seem less refined than it does in the
more spacious 20 TL. However, it is only towards maximum revs that the noise
becomes somewhat disturbing.
Lively acceleration is a feature and the figures would be even better if
the maximum speed in first and second gears were a little higher. I have
been somewhat critical of Renault five-speed gearboxes in the past, so I
am glad to say that this latest version is greatly improved; while the lever
is not ultra light to handle, the former vagueness of selection has been
eliminated and the transmission is pleasantly quiet.
The ride is harder than that of other Renaults. Though quite soft compared
with many sports coupes. The seats look most inviting and give support in
all the right places, but they are fairly firm by Renault standards. With
anti-roll bars at both ends, the suspension holds the body very level during
fast cornering, the ride and handling giving the car a distinctly sporting
feel, though the way in which bumps are soaked up is praisewrorthy. The
suspension can sometimes be heard in action over broken road surfaces.
Very strong castor return action is a feature of the steering, especially
under power, the machine straightening itself up rapidly if the wheel is
allowed to play back through the fingers. However, this results in the steering
being definitely heavy, especially if a lot of lock is applied quickly,
such as when hustling through a series of sharp corners. The handling and
controllability are first class, as is the straight-line stability in gusty
winds. On wet roads, the inside front wheel may spin a little when accelerating
out of a corner, but this does not cause the car to move off its chosen
line and demands no steering correction. The very powerful brakes cause
no deviation when applied hard in an emergency.
All the controls are well arranged and one much-appreciated feature was
the variable speed of the windscreen wipers, which could be set to an intermittent
action with long pauses, or at any interval desired, right up to fast wipe.
The heating and demisting system is also effective and easy to control.
In a fairly expensive little luxury car, one appreciates the optional extras
and I enjoyed the electrically-operated windows, which operate quietly and
rapidly. I am in two minds about the electric sun roof, however as I think
it is responsible for the rather elevated level of wind noise.
When I first started driving the 17TS. I found it a little lacking in refinement
and lightness of control, compared with the 20 TL, which I greatly admire.
As the miles went by and several tough journeys were accomplished I began
to realise that this is a car of considerable character and a happy companion
on any trip. Like the 20 TL, it has the very French virtue of being miserly
with petrol, and does not take great gulps of the stuff every time one enjoys
a slightly, illegal 100 mph sprint. The Regie Renault are making a most
impressive range of cars and though this is not the best of them, perhaps,
it's an elegant sports coupe of marked personality.
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