Engineering:Renault 7

Renault 7
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault
Also called	Renault Siete
Production	1974–1984
Assembly	Spain: Valladolid (FASA-Renault)
Body and chassis
Class	Supermini
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	MF layout
Related	Renault 5
Powertrain
Engine	1.0 L (1037 cc) I4 1.1 L (1108 cc) I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,505 mm (98.6 in) (right) 2,535 mm (99.8 in) (left)
Length	3,890 mm (153.1 in)
Width	1,525 mm (60.0 in)
Height	1,400 mm (55.1 in)
|uk|Kerb|Curb}} weight	815 kg (1,797 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	None
Successor	Renault Clio/ Renault 9

The Renault Siete (from 1979: "Renault 7") is a 4-door saloon version of the Renault 5 supermini, produced and sold in Spain by Renault's subsidiary, FASA-Renault in Valladolid, from 1974 to 1984.

It was very similar to the Renault 5 hatchback (which had been launched two years earlier), and identical mechanically, but offered with a smaller range of engines. The Siete had four doors and a saloon-style boot in place of the original car's three (and later five) doors including hatchback. This involved extending the wheelbase by just under 6 cm (2.4 in) though it retained the wheelbase difference between left and right sides, characteristic of several Renault models, resulting from the use of full-width torsion bars placed one behind the other, ahead of the rear wheels. The Siete's boot volume was 400 dm³ (14 cu ft), the Renault 5 had a 270 dm³ (9.5 cu ft) trunk.

Another difference between the Renault Siete and the 5 was the use, on the 7, of 'conventional' chromed metal bumpers instead of off-body colour plastic ones, giving the car a more refined appearance. The dashboard and other interior details were of a different design than in the French hatchback equivalent. Initially powered by a 1037 cc engine (an enlarged version of the 956 cc Renault 5 engine) producing 50 PS (37 kW; 49 hp), it was mostly sold in Spain.

Over the years the Siete had small annual updates. In 1979, it was more extensively restyled and amongst others received a new interior and rear lights. On that occasion the name changed to Renault 7 (Siete is Spanish for 7). An engine upgrade to 1108 cc followed in 1980. Claimed maximum power did drop to 45 PS (33 kW; 44 hp), but torque went up from 7.4 kg⋅m (73 N⋅m) at 3000 rpm to 8.0 kg⋅m (78 N⋅m) at 2000 rpm. A five-door version of the Renault 5 was launched in 1980 using the door pattern of the Spanish Renault 7.

Production ended in 1984, after the Renault 9 & 11 had entered the worldwide market and the Renault 5 had been substantially redesigned as the Supercinq (now based on the Renault 9/11 floorpan). The Renault 7's success outside its home market was limited because Renault offered the larger Renault 12 for a small price premium, and its mainly Spanish sales did not justify the investment necessary to develop a new saloon version based on the Supercinq. A total 159,533 units were produced.

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  Renault 7
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  Renault 7 rear

External links

• Renault Siete7 Club (in Spanish)
• Renault 7 site (in French)
• Club Renault 4 5 6 y 7 de España