Performance Review: Renault 4 L Export - [1961]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Renault 4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Renault 4 L Export is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1961. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 and the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.This particular Renault 4 has a 845cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 4 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 4's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1400 kgs (3086 lbs) this makes the Renault 4 L Export in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Renault 4 shares the same bhp with the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp)

In terms of power the 845cc 16V St4 engine produces 27 bhp (20 kW) @ 4700 rpm similar to the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp) or the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (52 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 39 lb-ft (52.8 Nm) @ 2300 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (41 lb-ft) or the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (63 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Renault 4 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1953 Fiat 1100 1.1L (41.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Renault 4.

The Renault 4 has a Power to weight ratio of 19.2 bhp per ton and 27.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1961 4 competing with the 1953 Fiat 1100 1.1L (41.6 bhp per ton) or the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (24.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Renault 4 generating around 27.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (29.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (27.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 30.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 31.3 secs, this made the Renault 4 L Export as fast as the 1953 Fiat 1100 1.1L (32.70 secs) the This Renault 4 L Export is also faster than the 1953 Fiat 1100 1.1L (32.70 secs) the

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 4 and the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d

When talking about the performance of the Renault 4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 29.97 secs @ 45.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (29.94 secs), the 1969 Ford Capri 2000 GT (30.11 secs), and the 1956 Austin-Healey 100 SIX BN4 (30.26 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1961 version of the Renault 4 L Export has a maximum speed of 70mph.

Top Speed of the 1961 4 equals the 1977 Skoda 105 S (81 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1961 Renault 4 L Export then how about the 1977 Skoda 105 S (81 mph), the 1950 Ford Zephyr 2.2 12v (81 mph), or the 1996 Hummer H1 6.5 V8 2 Door (82 mph).

Related Links:

1961 4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Renault

Car Comparison