Renault safety timeline
Renault has set the standard in automotive safety with an approach based on accident analysis and real road safety, which results in products that are adapted to actual driving conditions all over the world.
1898
A breakthrough in safety
Louis Renaults original Voiturette featured a geartrain transmision that was more reliable and less dangerous that the days more conventional chains or belts.
1909
Compressed air starter
A compressed air starter replaced the crank, which had been responsible for many injuries.
1922
Front wheel brakes
Renaults six-cylinder 18CV and 40CV models had brakes on the front wheels, and the 40CV could be fitted whit Louis Renaults patented mechanical servo-brake, for stronger braking action.
1937
Independent front suspension
The Juvaquatre was the first Renault whit independent front suspension, for better roadholding, and an all-steel monocoque structure, for better protection.
1951
The openning of Lardy
The Lardy centre (near Paris) was set up to handle tests on all future Renault vehicles. This was the first impact resistance tests were carried out.
1954
Accidentology studies
Renault set up a physiology and biomechanics laboratory run by a doctor, to help vehicle design teams develop safe cars. From this moment on, crash-tests would take on major importance in vehicle design and safety engineering.
1962
Disc brakes on small cars
The R8 was the first compact car to be fitted whit disc brakes on all four wheels, a feature previously reserved for large cars.
1969
The LAB
Renault and PSA Peugeot-Citroen set up the joint Accident Analysis and Biomechanics Laboratory (LAB)
1974
Basic Research Vehicle
THe BRV (Basic Research Vehicle) was developed for studies into passive safety.
1979
The safety cell
Renault presented EPURE (veficle for research into road user and enviroment protection), featuring the concept of a non-deformable cabin, and allowing for pedestrian impact.
1985
ABS
ABS appeared on the R25.
1993
Protection passengers
Driver airbag and seatbelt pretensioners appeared on Clio, R19 and Safrane.
1995
A safety revolution
Mégane introduced the Renault System for Restraint and Protection (SRP1), which revolutionized the seatbelt by adding a load limiter, pretensioner and locking reel.
1996
Improving the range
ABS and driver and passenger airbags appeared across the whole Renault range.
1998
Permament innowation
The second-generetion Renault System of Restraint and Protection (SRP2) appered, with driver and passanger airbags, load limiters, pretensioners and headrests whit close-up protection.
2000
Safety for all
Renault introduced the “Safety for All” program. In the meantime, the Emergency Brake Assist system was introduced …
2001
The first-ever 5 stars
Renault introduced ESC Electronic Stability Control on Laguna II, traction control and third-generation SRP. LAguna II became the markers first car to obtaint the top five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash-tests.
2002
5 stars for Mégane and Vel Satis
Mégane II and Vel Satis obtained five-star Euro NCAP crash-test ratings.
2003
5 stars for Scénic and Espace
Espace IV and Scénic II obtained five-star Euro NCAP crash-test ratings.
2004
Small car, perfect safety
Five-star Euro NCAP crash-test ratings were achieved by Mégane Cabriolet and Modus (the first five-star car of this category).
2005
5 STARS FOR CLIO
Clio III obtained a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating.
2007
Ground-breaking
Laguna III obtained a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating, with a record score of 36 out of 37.
2008
Ground-breaking
Laguna III obtained a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating, with a record score of 36 out of 37.
2008
Top marks for Koleos
We are very proud to announce that the Koleos has achieved the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. This is especially impressive when you consider that the Koleos is one of only four models in its category to achieve the maximum score out of the seventeen tested. This is Renault’s 10th car to be awarded 5 Euro NCAP stars.
2009
5 stars for Grand Scénic
New Grand Scénic has become the 12th model of the Renault range to secure Euro NCAP’s maximum five-star crash-test rating, despite the stepping up of the severity of the independent body’s evaluation criteria (side and rear impact, child and adult protection, pedestrian protection, equipment) at the beginning of 2009.
2012
Five-stars for new Clio
New Clio has been awarded a five-star rating following passive tests carried out by Euro NCAP. This result, achieved in spite of more stringent procedures from the independent body in January 2012, provides a further ilustration of Renault’s passive safety expertise.
A commitment for the future
Tomorrow
Considering the issues related to road safety in the world, Renault is committed to improving the control of behavior. In the future, security will be more interactive with embedded technologies allowing improvement in the detection of the environment of the vehicle to alert the driver and anticipate the activation of safety systems.
A global approach
Today
Renault is constantly developing new safety systems aimed at avoiding accidents and protecting vehicle occupants. The emphasis in development is thus placed on better prevention, better anticipation and better education, without diminishing the responsibility of the driver.