Nowadays, it is quite normal for car manufacturers to produce models specifically for a certain part of the world. At the beginning of the eighties, this was much less common and in that respect the Renault Alliance is quite special. If we take a closer look at this model, it is not just an American version of the Renault 9.
Until the early 1980s, Renault sold cars in the American market that were identical to the models we know in Europe. Because of extra body reinforcements, larger bumpers and lighting adapted to the local requirements, they looked different. This is the case with the 4CV, but also with the Dauphine, R8, R10, 16, 12, Renault 5, 18 and Fuego.
Renault wanted to be more successful in the American market and in 1979 the company acquired an increasing number of shares in the distressed American Motors Corporation (AMC), so that all of a sudden there was a nationwide dealer network. A network that demanded cars specifically tailored to American wishes and requirements.
Against this background, Renault developed the Alliance. The car was a sister model to the Renault 9, which was launched in Europe at the end of 1981. However, the Alliance was not built in France with specified parts for America. Assembly took place in the AMC factory in Kenosha in the state of Wisconsin. As much as possible, locally produced parts were used.
At first glance, the Renault 9 and Alliance appear identical, apart from the bumpers, grille and less important details such as strips and type plates. However, appearances are deceptive. Anyone who drove around Europe with an Alliance and looked for a new bonnet will have noticed that it cannot simply be taken from a Renault 9. The Alliance mirrors are larger in size, the door handles are metal coloured and not black and the same goes for the window frames. The rear lights look fairly similar, but the lenses are different too. In addition to the four-door saloon, which we know as the Renault 9, AMC in Kenosha produced two other bodywork variants that have never been available in Europe: a two-door saloon and a convertible that were directly derived from it.
Looking at the interior, the differences are enormous. America has its own colour preferences, as for example dark red as an upholstery fabric is unknown in Europe. There are also combinations of fabric and leather. What the Alliance does have in common with its French brother are tiltable seats mounted on banana-shaped rails. This invention was even fitted to the Jeep Cherokee at a later stage. Furthermore, the seats of the Alliance have flat headrests and a completely individual stitching pattern, likewise on the back seat. It is funny that in the luxurious Limited, seats are fitted that strongly resemble those of, for example, the 14 TS with a narrow backrest and built in lumbar supports. The Renault style is recognisable throughout the car, but everything is just a little bit different. Next, the door panels differ in layout and design and even on the dashboard little is interchangeable.
Even the storage compartments on top of the dashboard are located slightly differently, the steering wheel differs and so does the layout of the centre console. Because the instrumentation has to be adapted to miles and gallons anyway, the design is also specific. There we do not find the aluminium-coloured frame of the various dials, but a completely black one. America loves deep-pile carpets, so the Alliance buyer gets those too. It's funny that very recognisable items are also available, such as the leather steering wheel that we find in Europe on the 18 Turbo, Fuego GTX and 9 GTS! The keys are 'just' from Neiman and a Plip remote control could also be supplied.
Because America was ahead of the curve with regard to emission standards in the early 1980s, the 1.4 and 1.7 litre engines underwent a number of changes. They were both equipped with electronic fuel injection and coupled to a four- or five-speed manual gearbox or a three-speed automatic option.
Of course it was very nice to drive a Renault Alliance in Europe, especially the very popular convertible, but it is as well to know in advance that the number of differences almost exceed the similarities.
The first Renault Alliance to roll off the assembly line in Kenosha is still owned by Chrysler Heritage. After all, the American activities of Renault, including AMC and Jeep, were taken over by Chrysler in 1987. On the red dashboard of this car is a metal plate which states that this was the first Alliance assembled on 21 June 1982.