Click on image to view the full photo gallery
Renault Dauphine 0.8 (30 Hp)
Overall Rating
Renault Dauphine:
The Renault Dauphine is a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive four-door economy sedan with three-box styling, manufactured and marketed by Renault from 1956 to 1967 across a single generation.
Along with such cars as the Citroën 2CV, Volkswagen Beetle, Morris Minor, Mini and Fiat 600, the Dauphine pioneered the modern European economy car. More than two million Dauphines were manufactured, many under licence by other manufacturers outside of France....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Dauphine Overview:
Renault Dauphine (Dauphine). With 66 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 635 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. The top speed reaches 115 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.
The Renault Dauphine predates modern safety standards and Euro NCAP testing by several decades. As such, it lacks contemporary safety features like airbags, ABS, or advanced crumple zones, offering only basic passive safety typical of its era.
0.8 (30 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Modest performance suitable for light urban use and gentle cruising, not designed for speed or rapid acceleration.
Fuel Economy
Reasonable fuel economy for its era (6.5 l/100 km), making it an economical choice for daily commuting in the 1950s and 60s.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Charming classic design
- • Economical fuel consumption for its era
- • Compact and maneuverable for city driving
- • Historical significance and collector appeal
- • Relatively simple mechanicals for maintenance
Cons:
- • Very limited power and acceleration
- • Lacks modern safety features entirely
- • Basic comfort and interior amenities
- • Prone to rust and age-related issues
- • Outdated handling and braking characteristics
Specifications:
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Renault |
| Model: | Dauphine |
| Generation: | Dauphine |
| Modification (Engine): | 0.8 (30 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1956 |
| End of production: | 1967 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 30 Hp @ 4250 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 35.5 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 66 Nm @ 2000 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | Ventoux 670 |
| Engine displacement: | 845 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | OHV |
| Engine oil capacity: | 2.5 l |
| Coolant: | 4.6 l |
| Engine layout: | Rear, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 58 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 80 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 7.25:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 6.5 l/100 km |
| Maximum speed: | 115 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 21.2 kg/Hp, 47.2 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 9.6 kg/Nm, 103.9 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 635 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 198 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 32 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 3937 mm mm |
| Width: | 1524 mm mm |
| Height: | 1448 mm mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2261 mm mm |
| Front track: | 1245 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1219 mm |
| Ride height (ground clearance): | 152 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 8.9 m |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 3 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Front suspension | Independent coil spring, Transverse stabilizer |
| Rear suspension | Independent coil spring |
Real owners, real reviews. Tell us about your Renault Dauphine.