Details of Cars

Renault 40CV: the luxury Renault that carried presidents

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Renault 40CV
Renault 40CV. Photo by emperornie, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Renault 40CV is a full-size luxury car produced from 1911 to 1928. It was sold in many versions with two-letter names such as CG, ES and JP, and was replaced in 1928 by the Renault Reinastella.

Renault 40CV at a glance

Renault 40CV key facts
Maker Renault, France
Production 1911–1928
Type full-size luxury car
Versions CG, ES, JP and others
Engine at launch six-cylinder, 7,539 cc
Engine from 1920 9,120 cc in the Type HF
Brakes hydraulic servo-brake system from 1922
Replaced by Renault Reinastella
Racing Monte Carlo Rally victory in 1925

Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Renault 40CV.

History of the Renault 40CV

A large six

The 40CV was Renault’s full-size luxury car, launched with a six-cylinder 7.5-litre engine of 7,539 cc. It was sold in many variations known by two-letter names such as CG, ES and JP. When the Type HF version replaced the Type HD in August 1920, the engine grew to 9.1 litres, 9,120 cc.

1922 Renault 40CV
A 1922 Renault 40CV. Photo by emperornie, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Brakes and records

In 1922 the 40CV was fitted with a hydraulic servo-brake system, advanced for the period. A 40CV won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1925, and a modified single-seater NM became famous in 1926 for covering 80.5 kilometres at 190 km/h and for breaking the 24-hour record with 4,167.57 km at an average of 173.6 km/h.

Official car

Between 1920 and 1928 the 40CV served as official transport for the French presidents Alexandre Millerand and Gaston Doumergue, a role previously filled by the Panhard 20CV. It was replaced by the Renault Reinastella in 1928.

Design and features

  • Big six-cylinder engines: 7.5 litres at launch and 9.1 litres from 1920.
  • Servo brakes: a hydraulic servo-brake system from 1922.
  • Presidential transport: official car for Millerand and Doumergue.
  • Record breaker: the NM single-seater took the 24-hour record in 1926.

Renault 40CV versions

  • Early 40CV: 7,539 cc six-cylinder versions such as the CG and ES.
  • Type HF (1920): the 9,120 cc version replacing the Type HD.
  • NM single-seater: the record car of 1926.

The 40CV was replaced by the Renault Reinastella, and its luxury successors include the Renault Vivastella. More cars are in the Renault collection.

Video: Renault 40CV at the Festival of Speed

Video by vazrules on YouTube.

Sources

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