The Renault 25 was a huge success. Between 1984 and 1992, the first and second generations of the model were sold mainly in Europe. The fact that the large five-door was constantly evolving was demonstrated by the introduction of the TI and TXI with a new 12-valve engine in 1989.
The first version of the 12-valve engine was launched in the Renault 25 with a displacement of 1995cc. It was based on the well-known 2-litre 4-cylinder that first appeared in the Renault 20 TS in 1977. The same engine was also used in the entry-level versions of the Renault 25, the TS and GTS. From the start, the GTX used the 2.2 litre engine from the 20 TX, but with Renix injection. This was followed at launch by the 2.7-litre V6 with fuel injection, also taken from the 30 TX.
The TXI has the same external features as a V6 injection. The twin headlights, the indicators in the front bumper and the yellow fog lights complete the Renault 25's appearance.
The Renault 25 engine range was gradually extended to include the 2.5-litre V6 turbo, then the 2.8-litre V6 and a 2-litre unit with fuel injection. This wide choice was maintained for the 1988 facelift. But apparently Renault still didn't think it was enough. The carburettor engine had to make way for the mandatory introduction of catalytic converters. In addition, there were still some countries, such as Italy, where taxation was based on cubic capacity. A new cylinder head was therefore developed for the familiar 2-litre. The first TXI without catalytic converter was launched in mid-1989.
The aim was to increase power and torque almost to the level of the old V6, but with the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder.
On the outside, where the twin headlights catch the eye, there is no difference to the equipment of the V6 Injection. The flashers are located in the bumpers. The bumpers are of course painted in body colour. So are the door mirror housings. As standard, the car sits on 15-inch alloy wheels (Galaxie), which were fitted to many examples of the Renault 25.
After a full service and replacement of all wearing parts, the engine ran well from the start.
Inside the car, no savings were made on equipment. The car has the same standard equipment as the V6 Injection and Turbo DX. The first thing you notice is the three-spoke steering wheel, originally from the 25 V6 Turbo. There are also adjustable lumbar supports, a timer switch for the interior lighting, a Renault 4x20 Watt radio, electric rear windows and electric tailgate. Some things were standard or optional depending on the country: sunroof, air conditioning, alarm, leather upholstery and cruise control.
The engine develops 136 bhp with the catalyst and 140 bhp without, and produces 174/176 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm. This is a pleasant increase compared to the 2.2-litre turbocharged engine with 110/120 hp and 170/164 Nm of torque. Despite the fact that the torque of the catalytic converter version comes at a slightly higher rpm, the extra smoothness benefits its handling. The TXI was available with a five-speed manual gearbox or the four-speed AR4 automatic, so the extra comfort of the more powerful engine is also underlined by the automatic gearbox.
The qualities of the Renault 25 are evident in the interior of this TXI. Owner Fränk Hoffman (picture above) gave this example a thorough overhaul after it had sat in a driveway for 16 years.
This beautiful example is currently owned by Fränk Hoffman and dates from 1991. The car was originally delivered to a Luxembourg Railways employee, Joel Ney from Dudelange to be precise. Fränk knows that there were quite a few Renaults 25 in service with the railways in those years. After its active life with the first user, the car was driven to the driveway of his cousin Jean Marc Thijsen, one of the biggest Renault collectors in the country, who sadly died in 2022 at the age of 67.
The car was left untouched in the driveway of the house for no less than 16 years, mainly used for storage. The owner was already ill when, in the spring of 2021, he contacted the French Renault 25 Club to ask if anyone wanted to give his 25 TXI some much-needed love. A member of the club's board then contacted Fränk again, asking if he would be interested in picking up the car free of charge. I also received pictures by email and was surprised to learn that it was a Luxembourg car. A French club member wanted the car, but when I got in touch with Jean Marc I was able to convince him that the car should stay in Luxembourg. He was also immediately interested to hear how I was going to transport the 25'.
I took different wheels because the tyres had been completely flat for years, although new ones had been fitted just before the car was immobilised. Of course, I knew the car wouldn't start, and you don't want it to, not least because of the old timing belt. I also slackened the brakes to roll the car onto the trailer.
On the tailgate is the large spoiler that the 25 got only at the end of its career.
Back home, Frank was faced with the task of restoring the 25 TXI, which at the time still bore the registration number MC 550, to its former glory. Frank: I am very familiar with the Renault 25, as I completed an apprenticeship in the mid-1980s in the accident repair department of a Renault dealer, where I then worked for several years. I have also owned quite a few before.
The interior of the TXI looks like new. But it has taken some serious work. All older cars have the problem of the thin layer of foam under the upholstery disintegrating and falling to the floor. This causes the upholstery to become loose on the cushions, move around and tear more easily. The only remedy is to remove the upholstery and replace it with a new layer of foam. This is exactly what happened to this TXI. The fabric in the TXI is of high quality, so the upholstery now looks like new. Frank also tackled the parcel shelf and the surrounding plastic panels. These were also reupholstered, as were the block dividers at the top of the door panels. These were reupholstered in a dark brown synthetic leather.
The radio controls were mounted behind the steering wheel.
It is always an exciting moment to see what happens when a new battery is fitted. Fränk did this after carrying out a number of repairs and completely cleaning the car. Of course, the engine was also given a complete checkover. On the first try, the 2-litre 12-valve engine started immediately and most of the electrical functions seemed to work right away.
Frank: Next came the suspension. All the wearing parts were replaced, such as the brakes, balljoints and various rubbers, as well as the shock absorbers. Everything that was rusty got a new coat of paint.
When Fränk collected the car from Jean Marc, it had 108,000 km on the clock. It has now reached 122,000. Jean Marc took great pleasure in following Fränk's exploits, which he illustrated with photographs. They also met regularly. Jean Marc chose the personalised registration number TX 1991. He died a month before the car returned to the track. He narrowly missed seeing the final result with his own eyes. As a tribute to the previous owner, Fränk has added a commemorative plaque to the dashboard on the passenger side, stating the origin of his car.
Fränk has a long history with Renault. His parents used to drive a Renault 12 and many other types followed. His wife, Myriam, got her driving licence in a Renault 19. Myriam: "If Fränk had driven a BMW, for example, when we first met, I wouldn't even have gone with him. In Luxembourg, a car says a lot about the character of the person driving it. And of course I have driven several Renaults in a row." ‹›
En détail...
Renault 25 TXI (B294 05)
Engine:
Type J7RJ726, capacity 1,995 cm3, bore x stroke 88 x 82 mm, power 136 hp at 6,000 rpm, torque 174 Nm at 4,300 rpm.
Gearbox:
Type NG3, five manual speeds, one reverse. Gear ratios: 1st - 4.10, 2nd - 2.18, 3rd - 1.54, 4th - 1.16, 5th - 0.93, reverse - 3.55, final drive 3.5.
Suspension:
Independent front and rear with coil springs and hydraulic dampers. Front double wishbones, 22 mm anti-roll bar. Rear anti-roll bar 20 mm.
Brakes:
Standard ABS, ventilated discs front (259 mm), single disc rear (254 mm). Tyres: 195/60R15H.
Performance:
Top speed 203 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 9.9 seconds.
Dimensions and weights:
Length 4.713 metres, width 1.806 metres, height 1.415 metres, wheelbase 2.723 metres, ground clearance 0.12 (laden), track width front 1.496 metres, rear 1.479 metres. Fuel tank capacity: 72 litres.