Renault 1 000 kg

The Renault 1 000 kg was a light van, initially of a one-ton capacity, that Renault introduced in 1947 after presenting it in 1945 as a prototype designed for the military. A 1,400 kg version followed in 1949 and soon became the more popular choice, and in 1959 the vans were branded the Renault Voltigeur (1,000 kg) and the Renault Goélette (1,400 kg). Designed under the Plan Pons, which restricted Renault to vans of 1,000 to 1,400 kg, it took a traditional approach with rear-wheel drive and rigid axles, and large wheels on a short wheelbase for ground clearance and a tight turning circle. At launch it had a 2,383 cc petrol engine offering 62 PS, a dry weight of 1,735 kg and a maximum laden weight of 2,735 kg, a diesel option arrived in 1961, and 124,570 units were produced, by some criteria France's best selling vehicle in its class in the 1950s. The Renault Super Goélette SG2 range of larger light trucks replaced the Goélette in 1965.