Underdog
The Renault 19 16V is a typical example of a forgotten GTI. The Clio 16V and Williams are the first that many think of when it comes to hot hatchbacks from Renault in the 90s.
The Renault 19 16V succeeded the Renault 11 Turbo, just as the Clio 16V was meant to make people forget the Renault 5 GT Turbo. Like the fast 11, the thickest 19 also lived in the shadow of its smaller brother. The 19 16V had the same engine as the Clio 16V, a 137 hp 1.8-liter with four valves per cylinder. The fact that this hot 19 only came two years after the introduction of the regular 19 certainly contributed to the fact that the 16V never really got on the enthusiasts’ radar. It had to wait for Renault to finish the Clio 16V, which was the case in 1990. After all, the Renault 5 successor had to be a fast variant right away. The Fives had been making a splash as a GTI-like since the 70s, so the Clio had to take over that baton.
Also as sedan and convertible
The Renault 19 was very much aimed at the German consumer and the 16V was therefore extra hard, because Renault wanted to tackle the Golf with this model. In itself a good decision, because partly thanks to the 19, Renault was the largest import brand in Germany in those days. In the segment of hot hatchbacks, however, the 19 16V has never really been able to break any records. And that’s a shame when you look at it well 35 years later. Not bad, that sleek appearance without too much frills? This French underdog deserves to be in the spotlight again. Especially because Renault dared to deliver the fastest compact mid-range car as a sedan. Yes, it was available as a Chamade 16V. A dull sedan with such a hot engine; Opel never dared to put the 2.0 16V from the Kadett GSi in the four-door Kadett, Renault just did. It didn’t stop there, because the 19 16V was even available as a convertible.