Renault 15 and 17: the coupés built on the Renault 12

The Renault 15 and Renault 17 are two variations of the same coupé, designed and built by Renault between July 1971 and August 1979, and shown at the Paris Motor Show in October 1971. They were effectively coupé versions of the Renault 12.

Renault 15 and 17 at a glance

Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Renault 15 and 17.

History of the Renault 15 and 17

Two faces of one coupé

The chassis and most running gear came from the Renault 12 but the body was completely new. The two cars differed mainly in their headlights and rear side windows: the 15 had two rectangular headlights, a simpler side profile and, in the TL, the smaller 1,289 cc 60 hp engine, while the 17 had four round headlights, although some TL versions in some markets had rectangular lights. The R15 TS used the same 1,565 cc 90 PS engine as the R17 TL, and the more powerful R17 TS and R17 Gordini had the 1,565 cc 108 PS A-type unit derived from the Renault 16 TS. The R15 had no folding roof and its rear side window was not split, although it could be opened; the 17 had two, the front one retractable and the rear one hidden behind a louvre grille and folding inwards. In Italy the 17 was sold as the R177 because of the superstition about the number seventeen.

Updates

At the 1974 Paris Motor Show the Renault 17 TS was renamed 17 Gordini, an attempt to fill the gap left by the recently discontinued Renault 12 Gordini, with nothing changed but the badges; the TS and Automatic also received a slightly larger 1,605 cc engine. A minor facelift came in March 1976: the chrome grille surround of the 15 was replaced by a body-coloured one, the headlights were enlarged and brought forward, the 17’s grille lost its chrome, and on both cars the front bumper curved up at the edges. The TS then received a 1,647 cc engine similar to the Renault 16 TX but with twin carburettors instead of fuel injection, giving 98 PS and about 175 km/h. A five-speed manual with a centre shift or a three-speed automatic were offered.

Where they were built

The cars were manufactured at the Société des Usines Chausson plant in Maubeuge, with final assembly and painting of the first series at Renault Sandouville from 1971 to 1975. Both stayed in production until August 1979 and were replaced by the Renault Fuego, presented in March 1980. Because of corrosion and wear most examples have disappeared; in 2024 Renault presented an electrified restomod R17 built with Ora-Ïto.

Design and features

• Renault 12 underneath: the floorpan and most running gear of the saloon, in a new two-door body.
• Different faces: rectangular lights on the 15, four round lights on the 17.
• Split rear window: only on the 17, with a retractable front pane and a louvred rear one.
• Gordini version: the 17 TS renamed 17 Gordini in 1974.

Renault 15 and 17 versions

• R15 TL: 1,289 cc 60 hp coupé.
• R15 TS: 1,565 cc 90 PS engine shared with the R17 TL.
• R17 TL: the basic 17 with four round headlights.
• R17 TS and 17 Gordini: 1,565 cc 108 PS, then a 1,647 cc 98 PS unit after 1976.
• R177: the Italian name for the 17.

The coupés shared their underpinnings with the Renault 12 and their engines with the Renault 16, and were replaced by the Renault Fuego. More cars are in the Renault collection.

Video: 1973 Renault 17

Video by vintagevehicles on YouTube.

Sources

• Renault R15 and R17, English Wikipedia: versions, engines, facelift, production