Renault

Renault entered the executive car market in 1951 with the Frégate, a modern front-engined saloon that was first shown at the 1950 Paris Motor Show. Designed to improve Renault’s post-war image, it offered spacious accommodation, independent front suspension and increasingly powerful engines throughout its production. In 1956 the practical Domaine estate joined the range, followed in 1958 by the more luxurious Manoir, which came standard with Renault’s Transfluide semi-automatic transmission. Despite regular updates and improved performance, the Frégate struggled against rivals such as the Citroën DS and Peugeot 403. Production ended in 1960 after 163,383 cars had been built, making it Renault’s last large saloon until the arrival of the Renault 16 in a different market segment.

1956