Renault PN

The Renault PN is a bus produced from 1926 until 1930 by the French manufacturer Renault for the Paris service. A variant for suburban transport was called Renault PY.

History
In 1926, the Société des transports en commun de la région parisienne (STCRP), the predecessor of the RATP, made its first major order of buses to Renault, after a minor order of Renaults KX Express. The order consisted of 50 (47 delivered) new low-floor models with rear entry, called Renault PN. 330 PNs were delivered between 1927 and 1930. The PNs were on service until the 1950s.

In 1929, Renault introduced a PN version for suburban use, called PY. 25 were delivered and they were retired from service in 1939.

Technical details
Both the PN and the PY have the same engine, a 5.03-litre flathead inline-four unit, with a power output between 30 PS at 1,000 rpm and 45 PS at 1,500 rpm. The radiator is located at the back of the engine. The buses' length is between 7380 mm (PY) and 8190 mm (PN), the width is of 2380 mm and the wheelbase of 4380 mm. The buses have double wheels on the rear. The early models used solid rubber tyres that were later replaced by pneumatics, improving comfort. The gearbox is a 4-speed manual unit. The first vehicles delivered have cone clutch while later models incorporated a disc clutch. The capacity of the PN is of 39 passengers.

The main differences between the PN and the PY are related to the chassis structure. The PN has a forward control style design, with the driver sat over the engine and a low-entry platform on the rear. The PY has more conventional design, with the driver behind the engine compartment and passenger access through a sidefront door.