Almost forgotten GTI so not very expensive
The Renault 19 16V is an almost forgotten GTI. The hot hatchback had the same engine as the Clio 16V and was not only available as a three and five door, you could also get it as a Cabriolet and even a sedan, the Chamade. In the classic range on this site we come across a 19 sixteen-valve from after the facelift.
The fact that it is not as well known and appeals less to the imagination than an Opel Kadett / Astra GSi or a VW Golf GTI or to stay closer to the Renault, the Peugeot 309 GTI-16, means that the price is not too bad. Especially if you look at what the same provider asks for the various Volkswagen Golf II GTI that he has for sale. The business specializing in young timers asks less than 10,000 euros for this impeccable specimen that has only 56,000 kilometers on the clock. For 5,000 euros more, there is a Cabriolet 16V for sale at the same place.
Did nicely in the then GTI segment
The 1.8 sixteen-valve delivers 137 hp and with that the 19 16V achieves performance with which you could neatly participate in the sporty top of the compact middle class in the early nineties. The car sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 215 km/h. Similar to what a Volkswagen Golf III GTI 16V can do, or a Ford Escort RS2000, both have 150 hp.
19 16V in the shadow of the Clio 16V
The 19 16V always lived somewhat in the shadow of its smaller brother, the Clio 16V with the same engine. That was the successor to the Renault 5 GT Turbo, and the Clio became even more legendary because there was a Clio Williams, with a 16-valve drilled to 2.0 liters. Not entirely coincidentally, there is such a beautiful Clio Williams in the background in the photos of the 19 offered. But for such a thick Clio you pay just three times what this 19 16V should cost.
Only the enthusiast sees it
You get a car that will only be recognized by the enthusiast. The fast 19 never shouted from the rooftops that it can go fast, although it was delivered from the factory on the beautiful wheels that you see in the photos. The rear spoiler and the bonnet with ‘air scoop’ also belong on it and the original 16V badge, which stood for the thickest thing you could get in the compact middle class at the European brands in the early 1990s, completes the appearance.
Inside no busy prints, stripes or red floor mats, in the C-segment Renault always held back a bit more with the hot hatchbacks than in the B-segment. That will also have contributed to the fact that the 5 GT Turbo and the Clio 16V are clearer in our minds than the 11 Turbo and the 19 16V respectively.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl