Among all the engine parts for vintage cars that we offer on the online store Alepoc, there are many that concern the same engine. To convince yourself, visit our dedicated engine parts page to the old ones Renault and you will see that the Cléon Fonte engine is in a good position. This is an opportunity for us to tell you a little about this legendary engine.

The Cléon-Fonte, the first modern engine of Renault

The Cléon Fonte only received this name after a few years. The origin is simple: it is manufactured in Cléon, Normandy, and cast in iron. Initially, it appeared under the name Sierra. This was in the late 1960s. Renault He is studying his R8 and wants to equip it with a new engine. So far, it is the Billancourt engines that have been fitted in the small cars. The larger ones use the Etendard engine, which is also found in utility vehicles and small trucks.

Except that the Billancourt dates from 1944 and shows the weight of the years. The Cléon Fonte engine will stand out from it. It is cast in iron and equipped with an aluminum cylinder head with a high camshaft operating the rocker arms. It is designed from the outset to be versatile and offer two displacements: a 956 cc and a 1108 cc. It distinguishes itself from the Billancourt in two ways: it abandons the gear cascade for distribution while the crankshaft runs on 5 bearings instead of three. A sign of modernity that helps reduce vibrations and increase stress on the shaft.

Renault Floride S

He is ready well before the Renault 8 comes into existence. In fact, it is the Floride S that will debut it at the Geneva Motor Show in 1962. It is unveiled in its 956 cm³ version (with a bore of 65 mm and a stroke of 72 mm) producing 51 hp. A few months later, it can be found under the hood of the Renault 8, his career is launched.

The numerous developments of the Cléon-Fonte engine

Renault 8 route

The Cléon-Fonte will not remain at 956 cm³ for long. Its 1108 cm³ version appears as early as 1963, and it is under the hood of theEstafette that it can be found. The stroke remains the same, but the bore is increased to 70 mm. It is more flexible but not more powerful. Subsequently, it is found under the hood of the Floride and from mid-64 in the R8 Major, the high-end version of the line. Its derivative, the Renault 10 will be equipped with it from its release.

Moteur Renault 8

It is also this engine that will serve as the basis for Gordini for the engine of the R8 of the same name. The cylinder head will receive the most attention with hemispherical combustion chambers.

The Cléon increases in displacement

The same R8 Gordini then welcomed the new evolution at the end of '66. The Cléon-Fonte engine significantly increased in displacement, reaching 1255 cm³.

Moteur R8 Gordini

The Renault 12 arrived in 1969, yes, it just celebrated its 50th anniversary, and it received the new 1289 cm³ version. The Cléon-Fonte has lost its Sierra name and is now called the C engine. The bore has been increased to 73 mm and the stroke to 77 mm. It produces 54 hp DIN. From then on, it was also installed in the coupe version of the R12: the R15 TL. For the sports versions, Renault 12 Gordini and R17, we will call upon the cousin, the Cléon-Alu, which appeared on the Renault 16 and with a larger engine displacement. In the early 1970s, the 956 cc engine was brought back into the spotlight by being installed under the hood of the Renault 6 and the news Renault 5 which quickly becomes the brand's best-seller.

Renault 6

Sport versions of the Renault You will see the largest Cléon-Fonte that ever existed. It is the 1297 cm³ with a bore increased to 76 mm. With its hemispherical cylinder head, it reaches 93 hp in the R5 Alpine and will even have a turbo version peaking at 115 hp !

And the story doesn't end there !

But the Cléon continues its career. The Renault 4 was satisfied with the Billancourt until the late 70s. The GTL version then received the 1108 cm³, which would later be replaced by the 956. Then, the R18 received the 1400 when it replaced the R12. This was also the case for the Renault The 9, which was released in 1981, and its hatchback version, the R11, from 1983. In these cars, and for the first time, the engine is no longer longitudinal but transverse. The Super 5, which replaces the R5 in 1984, is also equipped with it.

As all these cars are gradually replaced by the Clio and R19, it is indeed a 1239 cm³ Cléon engine that will bring joy to the Twingo. The mini Renault will be equipped with it from 1993 to 1996, and it will be the last Renault car to be equipped with it.

The most efficient Cléon

No, we haven't forgotten it. There is a Cléon-Fonte engine even more powerful than the Alpine Turbo. It is still the 1397 cm³ engine but extensively revised, mounted in the rear position in the R5 Turbo. 160 hp as standard, but the competition versions can reach nearly 400 horsepower !

The Cléon-Fonte engine outside the diamond

A common and easy-to-modify engine, this will surely please other manufacturers. Especially since the volumes allow for cost reduction.

This is how it will bring happiness to Alpine, which will equip its A110 with the 956, 1108, 1255, and 1289 cm³ engines. But Alpine is part of the galaxy Renault. Another Berlinette will receive it. The René Bonnet Djet, which became the Matra Djet, will also be equipped with it.

More originally, the CFOs will receive it and associate it with their Variomatic belt transmission. Naturally, Volvo will also use it when the Swedish brand absorbs the Dutch one !

The Cléon-Fonte in brief

Produced from 1962 to 1996, it has a longevity surpassed only by the Billancourt engine. However, in terms of the number of models, it is far ahead.

You can find all the engine parts for Renault old models equipped with the Cléon-Fonte engine in the shop Alepoc by clicking here.