1988 to 1996
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault
Also called	Renault Energy (Colombia, Venezuela)
Production	1988–1996 1993-2000 (Argentina, Turkey)
Assembly	Douai, France Maubeuge, France Vilvoorde, Belgium Valladolid, Spain Palencia, Spain Setúbal, Portugal Bursa, Turkey Envigado, Colombia Mariara, Venezuela Santa Isabel, Argentina Taichung, Taiwan
Designer	Giorgetto Giugiaro
Body and chassis
Class	Small family car
Body style	3/5-door hatchback 4-door saloon ("Chamade") 2-door convertible
Layout	FF layout
Related	Renault Mégane I
Powertrain
Engine	1.2 L C2G I4 1.2 L E7F I4 1.4 L C2J I4 1.4 L E6J I4 1.6 L C2L/C3L 1.7 L F2N/F3N I4 1.8 L F2P/F3P I4 1.8 L F7P DOHC 16-valve I4 1.9 L F8Q diesel/TD I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,540 mm (100.0 in)
Length	Hatchback: 4,156 mm (163.6 in) Chamade: 4,248 mm (167.2 in)
Width	1,694 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1,412 mm (55.6 in)
Curb weight	886 kg (1,953 lb)–1,175 kg (2,590 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Renault 9 / Renault 11
Successor	Renault Mégane I

The Renault 19 is a small family car that was produced by the French car manufacturer Renault between 1988 and 1996. In Turkey and in Argentina, production continued until 2000. The internal development code for the 19 was X53, with the five-door receiving the B53 chassis code, the three-door being the C53, the Chamade the L53, and the Cabriolet the D53.

Overview

It was in November 1984 that the X53 project appeared. The goal of this project was to build a reliable sedan combining comfort and safety with new generation tools.

IT will play a very important role in the design of the X53 project with the first 3D models (Computer Aided Design) and the first numerical control machines (Computer Aided Manufacturing).

The technological advance of the late 1980s made it possible to design, test, and modify possible even before a part was produced.

Renault has traveled 7.5 million kilometers (2) between cobblestones, test benches and tests in extreme conditions (rain, temperature, etc.) in the Lardy and Aubevoye centers.

For this new model, Renault is also studying three new modern engines, two petrol and a diesel.

• The 1.4 liter "  Energy  " of 80 hp,
• The 1.8-liter 16-valve 140 hp,
• The 1.9 liter diesel.

It was only a few good weeks after that the X53 finally got a name: it will be the Renault 19.

Each body had a different code name:

• B53 for the 5 doors
• C53 for the 3 doors
• L53 for the 4 doors (Chamade, called in some countries Europa or Bellevue)
• D53 for the Cabriolet

The R19 was presented in June 1988, with sales in the domestic French market beginning in September 1988 It was the replacement for the 9 and 11, both of which were ageing and outdated by the late 1980s. The R19 was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, featuring Renault's new E-type (or "Energy") 1.4 L engine and F-type 1.7 L versions. Base models originally used the OHV C-type Cléon 1.2 and 1.4 L engines, depending on the market. While originally only available with an atmospheric diesel engine, a turbocharged version appeared in early 1992.

Intended to be Renault's last numeric-named car, the 19 ushered in a new naming policy, with the saloon versions of the 19 being known as the 19 Chamade to distinguish them from the hatchbacks. The sedan first appeared for the 1990 model year. In many markets the Chamade badge was dropped following the 1992 facelift, with some replacing it with the "Europa" tag. In 1991 a convertible bodystyle built by Karmann was first shown; a very few of these were built with the phase I design.

Although the R19's exterior design (which was relatively conservative, like that of the Renault 9/11) received a muted response, it was praised for its interior comfort and handling.

For the fuel injected top versions a four-speed automatic transmission became available in the fall of 1990. Lesser versions still made do with four or five-speed manuals or a three-speed automatic

A convertible version appeared in early 1992, only available with the two most powerful engine options.

In the summer of 1992, a revamped model was introduced with a substantially restyled front and rear, while LHD market versions received a new dashboard and interior — RHD models retained the original design. With the facelift, smaller "Energy"-series units gradually replaced the old pushrod items, and 1.8 litre engines appeared at the top of the lineup where they replaced the more powerful 1.7 units (the F3N).

The R19 was sold in most of Europe until 1996, and was produced for South American markets in Argentina until 2000. Turkish production lasted a little longer than in the rest of Europe, also until about 2000. The R19's platform and running gear would continue to be used in its replacement, the first generation Renault Mégane.

The Renault 19 was awarded the 1989 Car of the Year in Spain and Germany, 1990 Car of the Year in Ireland, and 1993 Car of the Year in Argentina.

16S hot hatch

The Renault 19 16S hot hatch, added to the lineup in the fall of 1990, had a distinctive air inlet on the bonnet, a rear spoiler, 15 inch "Speedline" alloy wheels, side skirts, twin headlamps, bucket seats, and a trip computer. The "S" is for Soupapes, French for valves. The braking system was uprated to include 259 mm (10.2 in) vented discs on the front and 237 mm (9.3 in) discs on the rear as well as an uprated lower suspension setup. Phase 1 editions benefited from unique front and rear bumpers with front indicators relocated into the bumpers to allow for the twin headlamps, while the Phase 2 retained the original bumpers found throughout the range but added colour-coded tops, rubber inserts, and a discreet lower splitter.

The very last models were called Executive and came with leather interior as standard. A 16S version was also produced in Europe which was equipped as above - however, the earliest models did not sport the bonnet vent. The phase 2 models gear ratios were also revised to allow for the extra weight found in the safety equipment the later models carried. Renault claimed an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) of 8.2 seconds. Each model boasted 137 PS (101 kW; 135 hp) in a catalysed form and a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph). Phase I included a non-catalysed version with 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp).

The Renault 19 will be a great advance in terms of finish which was lacking in French cars of the 1980s. On the engine side, the lack of turbo will for a long time make the fans of the 1980s growl, especially as its linear engine no longer provides the sensations that gave the Renault 9 Turbo and Renault 11 Turbo , moreover that the performances are identical, but without the "kick in the buttocks" due to the turbo of these predecessors, only the top speed is improved. Its road holding is excellent, in particular thanks to the rear axle 4 bars. The Renault 19 16S will have optics and a bumperSpecific front on this version, the front indicators will be taken from Renault 9 and Renault 11, and placed in the bumper as on these predecessors. It will be available in a 3-door version intended to replace the Renault 11 Turbo 3-door, in a 5-door version intended to replace the Renault 11 Turbo 5-door, in a 4-door version with trunk ( Chamade ) to replace the Renault 9 Turbo, and also a convertible variant.

In 1992, the Renault 19 was restyled, the 16S no longer had any optics and front bumpers specific to this version.