As for their styling, it was rather generic European "three-box" mid-1970s. In charge of Renault styling at the time of development was Gaston Juchet, who might have been influenced by the work of Italian maestro Georgetto Giugiaro, as can be seen in the images below.
The nearly-identical R20s and R30s were attempts by Renault to return to making larger cars than its postwar 4CV, Dauphine and such. Their appearance was not the quirky, French look later used by styling chief Patrick le Quément on upscale models such as the Vel Satis.
Unless noted, the photos below are factory-sourced.
R20 and R30 bodies were essentially identical, the most visible difference being their headlights.
Compare this car with the one in the following photo.
The Vollkswagen Dasher / Passat (B1) (produced 1973-1981) was derived from an Audi. Styling was by Giugiaro. Both the English and French Wikipedia entries for the R20/R30 fail to mention any connection with Giugiaro's Passat design. Yer there are many similarities -- for example, the side window profile, front end design, and even the overall proportions and "feeling."
Note the after end of the passenger greenhouse -- the sail panels as well as the relationship of the backlight window and trunk sheet metal.
Those details are essentially the same as seen on this VW Dasher (North American name for the Passat).
A R20 seen from normal viewing perspective. Its wheelbase was about 2665 mm (104.9 inches) compared to the Passat's 2470 mm (97.2 inches), perhaps the major difference in the designs.
Perhaps you need to look at the Renault 16. The predecessor of the 20 predates the Passat and has many of the styling elements. This 1960s classic could easily have inspired both.
ReplyDeleteI came here to say the same thing. The proportions of the 20/30 range, and how the hatchback is handled, are very similar to the Renault 16, although the 16 was much more fussily styled.
ReplyDeletePeter & Anonymous -- Thank you for spotting the 16. Indeed the passenger compartment was largely carried over to the post's subject models. But the front clips of the 20 and 30 give the overall design a strong VW flavor.
ReplyDeleteWell, not carried over exactly, the the basic shape of the 16 passenger compartment/windows etc. were clearly the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call the 16 design fussy, just French designer weird. The windows are very tall, near vertical, and also flat, and more is made of the stainless trimmed ridge along the sides of the roof and carried down the back to the tail lights, among other things. And the exterior door handles...take a close look at those! (Yeah, I loved mine, despite the torque steer, heavy steering, and things falling apart all the time.)