The year was 1971 and French car manufacturer, Renault had a sexy looking coupé ready. This was the Renault 15 and Renault 17. Using the same platform and running gear, they were 2 variations of the same car designed and built between 1971 and 1980. They were effectively coupé versions of the Renault 12. The main difference between the two cars was their headlight configuration – the 15 had two rectangular headlights whereas the 17 had four round headlights. The Renault 15 and 17 were presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1971. It sold in Malaysia in small numbers at a time when the British car industry was leading in Malaysia. The Ford Capri and the MG cars were more desirable.
Still, this Renault had a few happy owners. The chassis and most of the running gear came from the Renault 12, while the 1565cc 108bhp engine in the more powerful R17 TS and R17 Gordini models was derived from the engine in the Renault 16 TS. Though the mechanicals of the cars were derived from other Renaults, the body was completely new. The R15 and R17 remained in production until 1979 when they were both replaced by the Renault Fuego which looked much more modern and inviting.
