The Renault 9 and Renault 11 were two small family cars produced by the French manufacturer Renault between 1982 and 1988.
[] Overview
The Renault 9 was a four-door saloon, launched in 1982. The Renault 11 was a three- or five-door hatchback, which followed in late 1983.
A version of the 9 was produced by American Motors Corporation (AMC) in the United States, where it was known as the Renault Alliance (although it also bore a discreet AMC badge on its rear window). As well as the four-door model, AMC offered an Alliance with an American designed two-door saloon body, and from 1984, a convertible version. There were plans for a station wagon of the Alliance, although they did not materialize.
The Renault 9 was awarded the 1983 European Car of the Year, while the Alliance appeared on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 1983, and was the 1983 Motor Trend Car of the Year.
Although the 9 and 11 cars had different names and body styles, they were in fact identical under the skin, and were intended to jointly replace the older Renault 14. The 11 was also distinguishable from the 9 by its front end, which featured square twin headlights, which had been introduced on the Alliance in North America. The 9 also received this new front end in 1984 and both models were face-lifted for a final time with matching nose and interior upgrades for the 1987 model year.
[] Engines
Both cars used Renault's ageing C-type overhead valve engines in 1.1 or 1.4 litre format, and a basic suspension design which won few plaudits for the driving experience. The exceptions were the 9 Turbo and the 11 Turbo hot hatch, which used the turbocharged engine from the Renault 5. Although the cars were heavier than the Renault 5, the power from the engine was enough to ensure higher performance, thanks to its 115 hp DIN (85 kW).
The newer F-type engine which had been developed in collaboration with Volvo appeared in later years in 1.7 L guise, powering the upmarket TXE and GTX versions. The Alliance and Encore, while comparatively underpowered, had a definite advantage in ride and handling against other small cars available in America at the time and even had their own SCCA spec-racing series, the Alliance Cup.
[] Versions
In Europe, the Renault 9 was available in the following versions:
* C, 1.1-litre 4-cylinder
* TC, 1.1-litre 4-cylinder, 1.4-litre 4-cylinder
* TL, 1.1-litre, 4-cylinder, 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, 1.6 diesel
* TR 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder
* TS 1.4-litre 4-cylinder
* TX 1.7-litre, 4-cylinder
* TXE 1.7-litre 4-cylinder
* GTX 1.7-litre 4-cylinder
* Diesel, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder
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