Winnebago LeSharo

The Winnebago LeSharo (also marketed as Itasca Phasar) is a Class B (low-profile) recreational vehicle that was assembled by Winnebago Industries from 1983 to 1992. Though also using a cutaway van chassis like larger motorhomes, the LeSharo was designed to optimize fuel economy. Alongside its lower-roof exterior, the vehicle used the chassis of the front-wheel drive Renault Trafic commercial van. While the model line itself was not sold in North America, the Trafic shared its powertrain with several Renault and Jeep vehicles sold domestically (at the time, Renault owned AMC/Jeep).

Less than half the weight of a Class C RV based on an American-produced chassis, the LeSharo offered fuel economy from 16 to 23 MPG, dependent on powertrain. In total, approximately 21,000 examples were produced.

The model line was assembled by Winnebago in Forest City, Iowa. In 1995, the company revived the concept with the Rialta using the Volkswagen Eurovan chassis.

First generation (1983-1986)
The 1973 and 1979 fuel crises led to a negative effect on American vehicle manufacturing, particularly towards recreational vehicle production at the end of the decade. In response, Winnebago sought to develop a fuel-efficient compact RV, as vehicles based on one-ton van chassis at the time typically offered fuel economy of 4-10 MPG (with larger RVs doing worse). The company sought a European light commercial vehicle, preferably with a front-wheel drive powertrain layout to maximize living space (as used by the GMC Motorhome), leading to an agreement with Renault, using its Trafic chassis.

Winnebago introduced the 1983 LeSharo in August 1982, serving as its first compact RV. Approximately half the weight of a Minnie Winnie (based on a "one-ton" cutaway van), the LeSharo retained a cutaway van configuration. For its use in North America, the Renault Trafic was supplied as a chassis cab with no rear lighting fitments; to support the larger body, the 20 cm wider rear axle from the B80 Renault Master was adopted. To downplay its Renault origins, the front fascia was restyled below the hood (supplied with headlamps from the Buick Skylark). To accommodate the wider rear body, the LeSharo was fitted with repositioned sideview mirrors.

Powertrain details
At its launch, the LeSharo was fitted with a 57hp 2.1L naturally-aspirated diesel inline-four paired with a 4-speed manual transmission; for 1984, a turbocharger increased the output of the engine to 75hp. The engine was later shared with the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Comanche (Renault was the parent company of AMC/Jeep). For 1985, a 2.2-liter gasoline engine was introduced, raising output to 100 hp. Renault sourced the engine from its North American car line (the 18i and Fuego); in a change welcomed by buyers, the 2.2-liter engine was paired to a 3-speed automatic transmission. Though 25% more powerful, the new engine added over 400 pounds of curb weight to the vehicle.

For 1986, the diesel engines were dropped entirely; though average fuel economy dropped below 20MPG, the gasoline model was more capable of acceptable highway speeds. A heavy-duty rear axle was introduced for the chassis (remaining standard for the remainder of production). Though technically exempt from the fitment of catalytic converters and carbon canisters (as the Renault Trafic was not sold in the United States), the LeSharo was upgraded to conform with emissions standards, including a catalytic converter (made by Teneco Walker's European division) and a carbon canister (from GM).

Model range
Winnebago launched the LeSharo as part of a four-vehicle model range. The low-roof Winnebago LeSharo and premium Itasca Phasar were recreational vehicles, seating and sleeping four people. A high-roof version of the vehicle was marketed as the Winnebago Centauri 7-seat conversion van. ; the variant was not produced from 1986 to 1989.

Essentially a shell version of the Centauri, the Winnebago Utility Van was a 2-seat vehicle that was produced from 1983 to 1992.

Second generation (1987-1992)
For 1987, the LeSharo/Phasar and the Utility Van underwent a redesign of the body for the first time. Growing slightly in height (97 inches to 99 inches), the aerodynamics of the design were optimized to further improve fuel economy, distinguished by a sleeker front body and recessed front headlights, no longer sourced from GM. The rear body adopted a larger window and enclosed the spare tire within the bodywork.

Overall, the GVWR increased over 800 pounds, from 5,830 lbs to 6,677 lbs.

For 1988, the model line introduced a 5-speed manual transmission, the first optional transmission with the 2.2L engine.

During 1989, the Utility Van ended production, with the Centauri passenger van (dormant since 1985) returning. Though the 2.2L engine remained, Renault changed the fuel-injection unit from Bosch to Bendix-based, changing output slightly to 103hp.

By 1990, the 5-speed manual was discontinued, with all vehicles produced solely with an automatic transmission.

Winnebago Rialta
After 1992, Winnebago ended its chassis-supply agreement with Renault, leading to the discontinuation of the LeSharo (ending the presence of Renault in North America entirely). The company then began development of a successor vehicle, the Rialta, using a long-wheelbase version of the Volkswagen EuroVan (Transporter T4).

The Winnebago Rialta was introduced for 1995, effectively bringing the EuroVan back to the United States (the passenger version was discontinued after 1992). Initially fitted with a 2.5L inline-5, later versions were fitted with a 2.8L VR6. Winnebago ended production of the vehicle in 2005 (coinciding with the discontinuation of the Transporter T4/EuroVan.

Mobility RV
In 1999, Winnebago sold the parts and product support rights to the LeSharo and its variants to Mobility RV (MRV). Now responsible for product support and assistance of the model line, the company owns both parts inventories of the model lines sourced from Winnebago authorized dealers and is the exclusive importer of Renault replacement parts, owning all relevant manufacturing tooling to sell both inventories online (to support the LeSharo). The sale effectively ends all liability from Winnebago Industries for service warranties through its own dealer network as the units were discontinued for either service, sales or parts by their authorized dealerships.