Renault 9 L42 1.1 (L421) (48 Hp)


Overall Rating

6.6 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 3.5 / 5
Value 3.8 / 5
Performance 2.8 / 5
Comfort 3.2 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Renault 9:

The Renault 9 and Renault 11 are small family cars produced by the French manufacturer Renault from 1981 to 1989 in saloon and hatchback configurations — both were styled by the French automobile designer, Robert Opron.
Variants were manufactured by American Motors Corporation , as the Renault Alliance and Renault Encore for the North American market. The car was produced in Turkey until 2000.
The models use a transverse front-wheel drive engine configuration, and feature four wheel independent suspension. They were chosen as the European Car of the Year in 1982, as well as the Car of the Year by Motor Trend and one of the 10Best by Car and Driver in 1983....(Read more on Wikipedia)

L42 Overview:

Renault 9 (L42). Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. The top speed reaches 145 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
The Renault 9 (L42) was produced before Euro NCAP testing began in 1997. As a vehicle from the 1980s, it lacks modern safety features like airbags, ABS, or advanced crumple zones, offering only basic passive safety for its era.

1.1 (L421) (48 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 2 stars

Performance Verdict

The most basic engine, offering minimal power suitable only for very light urban duties and short trips.

Fuel Economy

Excellent fuel economy due to its small size, but performance limitations mean it's not suitable for all drivers.

Best Use Case: Strictly Urban Commuting

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Good fuel economy on most naturally aspirated variants
  • • Comfortable ride for its class and era
  • • Practical and spacious interior for a compact sedan
  • • Affordable to purchase and maintain

Cons:

  • • Lack of modern safety features
  • • Basic interior quality and design
  • • Performance can be sluggish with smaller engines or automatic transmission
  • • Rust can be an issue on older models

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(L42: 1981 - 1985).

General:
Brand:Renault
Model:9
Generation:L42
Modification (Engine):1.1 (L421) (48 Hp)
Start of production:1982
End of production:1987
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Sedan
Seats:5
Doors:4
Engine:
Power:48 Hp @ 5250 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:43.3 Hp/l [worst than previous generation]
Engine Model/Code:C1E 715, C1E 720 More details about the engine C1E 715, C1E 720
Engine displacement:1108
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Carburettor
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Engine oil capacity:3.25 l
Coolant:6 l
Engine layout:Front, Transverse
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Maximum speed:145 km/h
Space:
Fuel tank capacity:47 l
Size:
Front track:1395 mm
Rear (Back) track:1360 mm
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelFront wheel drive
Number of gears4
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesDisc [bad for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDrum [bad for performance and cooling.]
Tires size145/80 R13
Wheel rims size13
Front suspensionIndependent type McPherson
Rear suspensionTorsion

Your first impression of the Renault 9 in one word? Go!