Renault: The Type B already managed 45 km/h
LOOKING BACK 120 years ago, after the Voiturette, Louis Renault launched the Type B, one of the world's first series-produced models with an enclosed cabin that protected the driver and passenger in bad weather. The fixed roof gave the vehicle a curious appearance by today's standards. Indeed, the Type B was almost as high [...]
The fixed roof gave the vehicle a curious appearance by today's standards. The Type B was almost as tall as it was long. An overall length of 1.90 meters - around half a meter less than a Renault Twizy - contrasted with a height of 1.80 meters.
Renault called this type of body "coupé" in reference to carriage construction. There, cars with a two-seater cabin were designated as such, but unlike the Type B, their drivers sat far forward and above all outside.
Maximum speed of 45 km/h
Renault's second production model largely used the mechanics of the Voiturette, which had gone into series production as the Type A. It took over the cardan drive instead of the chain drive that was common at the time. From it, it took over the cardan drive in place of the chain drive common at the time.
The engine was an air-cooled 450-cubic-centimeter single-cylinder with 2.7 hp. It enabled a top speed of 45 km/h, which was also helped by the vehicle's maximum weight of 360 kilograms.
110 employees on the payroll
The hitherto unfamiliar comfort of the Type B was well received by well-heeled buyers and contributed significantly to the fact that by the end of 1900 Renault already had 110 employees on its payroll, 50 more than at the beginning of the year.
