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A couple of months ago an American fan of the Renault 12 found a very particular model for sale on the internet. It was an electric copy of the French sedan, which also had an interesting history behind its modifications.
As a faithful collector, a follower of the rhombus brand, it could be considered a classic Renault 12 1975 model. As if that were not enough, the model is not like any other and has adapted a electric propulsion system, which at that time was part of tests carried out by NASA.
The Renault 12 was manufactured in Europe between 1969 and 1980 and it was replaced by the Renault 18. In other markets such as Latin America, it managed survive until 1994 in the case of its production in Argentina. In 1969 the manufacturing permit was granted to Dacia, which keeps it valid until 2006.
In our country, it goes without saying, the Renault 12 became its time in the most requested car. At that time, the model was classified in the mid-high range and it was the third model of the French brand that was assembled in Colombia, after the Renault 4 and 6. A true Creole insignia.
The electric R12
The story of this electric Renault 12 from the 1970s was told by its most recent owner, who revealed the curious automotive acquisition through your Facebook account. According to the narrated facts, the French sedan was part of a vehicle fleet tested by NASA in autonomy and battery studies.
These research processes were part of a list of programs of the United States Department of Energy to encourage the development of electric vehicles. From this initiative the company was born Electric Vehicle Associates or EVA (1974 to 1982) based in Cleverand, Ohio.
Within this research process on electrification in automobiles, the Renault 12 was named “EVA Metro“, And for that matter there were two exampless. The brown, which was able to survive and another of white color that ended its cycle, crashed against a wall in evidence. NASA also included several types of vehicles such as a van, a sports car and a small Renault 5.
characteristics
In general terms, the conventional Renault 12 that was sold worldwide, equipped in its powertrain a 1.3-liter engine for power deliveries of 50, 54 or 60 horsepower and torques of 90, 95 and 98 Nm. The transmission could be a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic.
For its part, the newly discovered electric sedan, fitted under its hood 16 x 6 volt lead acid traction batteries qThey were connected through a converter with a 12 horsepower. The gearbox was a three-speed automatic, although it did not have regenerative braking.
The Renault “EVA Metro” tested a range of 96 kilometers and the maximum speed it could reach were 90 km / h. Due to its weight, which with the included driver reached 1,500 kilograms, it accelerated from 0 to 100 km / h in 27 seconds. All this equipment made him go from the normal weight of 900 to 1,429 kilograms.
At the time, the manufacturer reported that the batteries had a shelf life of 45,000 kilometers. In addition to that the battery pack could be recharged overnight connected to a 110 V socket. Now its new owner has in mind to incorporate a group of tesla batteries to put it into operation again.
Finally this study on electric mobility and tests of this type of propulsion was not viable then, reason why the plans were even put aside. This interest in electrification had resulted from the oil crisis that exploded in 1973 and affected the commercialization of fuels.
Also read: Renault 12 – A global car that captivated Colombian families.
Jessica Paola Vera García.
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