The Renault Novaquatre is a car first presented in autumn 1937 and produced until 1940. It was offered as an economy version of the Primaquatre, combining the body of the small Renault Celtaquatre with the 2,383 cc four-cylinder engine of the larger Primaquatre.
Renault Novaquatre at a glance
| Maker | Renault, France |
|---|---|
| Production | 1937–1940 |
| Type | economy family car |
| Body | from the Renault Celtaquatre |
| Engine | 2,383 cc four-cylinder, water-cooled |
| Power | 48 hp at 3,000 rpm |
| Fuel consumption | 9 to 10 litres per 100 km |
| Top speed | 110 km/h, 100 km/h from late 1939 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Renault Novaquatre.
History of the Renault Novaquatre
A cheaper Primaquatre
Renault presented the Novaquatre in autumn 1937 as an economy version of the Primaquatre, putting the body of the little Celtaquatre on the 2,383 cc four-cylinder water-cooled engine of the larger car. To support its economy credentials, the engine was rated at 48 hp at 3,000 rpm against 52 hp at 3,300 rpm for the Primaquatre with, on paper, much the same engine. It was also far less thirsty: consumption was quoted at 9 to 10 litres per 100 km against 12 to 13 litres for the more powerful car.
Performance and transmission
Renault claimed a top speed of 110 km/h in the car’s original form, although this fell to 100 km/h at the end of 1939 when a smaller engine replaced the original unit. Power went to the rear wheels through a conventional three-speed manual gearbox.
After the Celtaquatre
The Celtaquatre had ceased production in April 1938 and was effectively replaced by both the slightly smaller Renault Juvaquatre and by the Novaquatre. With the disappearance of the Celtaquatre its 2,710 mm wheelbase went too.
Design and features
- Mixed parts: Celtaquatre body and Primaquatre engine.
- Tuned for economy: 48 hp instead of 52, and 9–10 litres per 100 km instead of 12–13.
- Three-speed gearbox: driving the rear wheels.
- Shorter run: the small engine of late 1939 cut top speed to 100 km/h.
Renault Novaquatre versions
- Novaquatre (1937): 2,383 cc engine and 110 km/h.
- Late 1939 Novaquatre: smaller engine and 100 km/h top speed.
The Novaquatre came from the Renault Primaquatre and the Renault Celtaquatre, and shared showrooms with the Renault Juvaquatre. More cars are in the Renault collection.
Sources
- Renault Novaquatre, English Wikipedia: concept, engine, economy figures, end of Celtaquatre
