{"id":3004,"date":"2015-05-12T16:55:23","date_gmt":"2015-05-12T14:55:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.madamagazine.com\/?p=3004"},"modified":"2020-06-06T17:37:47","modified_gmt":"2020-06-06T15:37:47","slug":"renault-4-das-madagassische-taxi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.madamagazine.com\/en\/renault-4-das-madagassische-taxi\/","title":{"rendered":"Renault 4 – The Malagasy Taxi"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everywhere in Madagascar’s towns and villages they travel as normal taxis: the Renault 4s. Elsewhere one sees them at most still as well maintained classic cars on exhibitions or in lover garages, on Madagascar however they belong to the completely normal street scene. But why the R4?<\/p>\n

As early as the end of the 1950s Renault wanted to plan a small car under the name “Project 112”, which would offer as much space as possible, have five doors and be suitable for poor road conditions<\/a>. These initial ideas alone give us an idea of why Madagascar of all places is still an Eldorado for the R4 today.<\/p>\n

\"Renault<\/a>
Taxi in Sambava<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The finished Renault 4 began its triumph at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt in autumn 1961. At that time still as Renault R4 – only four years later the R was dropped in the official sales name. A little later the new car was also presented at the Paris Motor Show. The name of the car was inspired by the built-in four-cylinder engine. For the first time Renault had built front-wheel drive in one of its cars, and the price was surprisingly low by the standards of the time: it was not even supposed to cost 13,000 Francs, i.e. less than 2,000 \u20ac. The Renault 4 was to become a car for the masses, the successor to the famous Renault R4 CV. Contrary to all prophecies of doom, the R4 also made its triumphal march through France, and was soon even produced in South Africa and Madagascar.<\/p>\n

Over the years, different variants supplied the right R4 for every driver: from the “plein air” convertible to the sporty “GTL” with 34 hp, Renault provided a whole range of differently equipped R4s – the “Sinpar” model even had all-wheel drive. The basic model was always only slightly changed. The R4 was supplied as standard with 0.6 to 1.1 l engine, tubular steel seats with canvas covering, a weight of just 600 to 720 kg, an engine capacity of 603 to a maximum of 1108 cc and 26 to 34 hp. In 1957, the three-speed transmission used until then was replaced by four gears, what remained was the characteristic turret shift. Drum brakes were part of the R4 until 1982, after that the models GTL and R4 F6 had front disc brakes.<\/p>\n

Exactly 8,135,424 Renault 4 cars rolled off the production line in 68 countries worldwide – the R4 is still the second best-selling car in France today. Production was finally discontinued in 1992. The only drawback of the R4 until then: its body, which is very susceptible to rust. The different wheelbase of the car is still odd and widely known today: right 2401 mm, left 2449 mm. It was caused by the torsion bars placed one behind the other on the rear axle, which was also owned by the successor model.<\/p>\n

\"Renault<\/a>
In the garage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Via France, the R4 quickly found its way by ship to the former colonial country of Madagascar. Unlike many other cars imported or produced there, however, the Renault 4 has remained for decades. Three reasons make it the most popular Madagascan taxi:<\/p>\n