Renault Frégate

Infobox Automobile


name = Renault Frégate
aka = Renault Domaine
manufacturer = Renault
production = 1951-1960
predecessor = Renault Vivastella
successor = none
class = full-size car
large car
layout = FR layout
assembly = Flins, France
body_style = 4-door saloon
5-door estate
engine = 1996 cc
2141 cc Etendard
transmission = 4 speed manual,
'Transfluide' semi automatic 3 speed optional from 1957
wheelbase = Auto mm|2800cite book |last=Gloor |first=Roger |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Alle Autos der 50er Jahre 1945 - 1960|year=1. Auflage 2007 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |id=ISBN 978-3-613-02808-1]
length = convert|4700|mm|in|1|abbr=on
width = convert|1720|mm|in|1|abbr=on
height = convert|1540|mm|in|1|abbr=on
weight = convert|1230|kg|lb|0|abbr=on
fuel_economy =
fuel_capacity =
related =
similar = Fiat 1900
Simca Vedette
designer = The Renault Frégate is a full-size or executive car produced by the French automaker Renault between 1951 and 1960.

The Frégate was conceived in the years immediately following World War II. Renault, which then had recently been brought under control of the French state, needed a new modern, upmarket model to both improve its image and to cater to the needs of consumers in the quickly recovering economy. Several prototypes were produced before the Frégate design was put into production: initially, the car had a rear-engined layout as in the recently launched Renault 4CV but eventually the manufacturer decided to go with an engine mounted ahead of the driver. The Frégate was unveiled at the 1950 Paris Motor Show but the first model was not delivered until November 1951.

The Frégate was initially available in two trim levels, Affaires and Amiral. Renault addressed the complaints about the lack of power from the 2 litre engine by introducing the new 2141 cc Etendard engine in 1956, which produced convert|77|hp|abbr=on. A popular estate model badged Domaine was also launched in 1956, along with the new, luxurious Grand Pavois specification. In 1957 a three speed 'Transfluide' semi-automatic transmission, incorporating a fluid coupling, became an option along with a slighly more powerful version of the 2141 cc engine for which convert|80|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on was claimed in this combination.

1958 saw another modified front grill: the prominent wide chrome oval and horizontal bars were removed to leave only the row of thin bars over which, since 1955, they had been placed.

Nevertheless, the market for larger saloon cars had been taken by storm in 1955 when Citroën had introduced their futuristic DS, followed in 1957 by a more aggressively priced ID variant: sales of the Frégate gradually declined throughout the 1950s and production ceased in 1960. In total, 163,383 Frégates were made in Flins, France.

References