Renault Wind - how does it actually drive? All pose and no action?

The Renault Wind is a criminally overlooked open top two seater. I was glad to finally take one for a test drive so I could decide for myself whether it's pure pose or actual driving joy.
Thanks to Marcel for the camera work. A new career beckons. 😉
HubNut merchandise is available at hubnut.org - thank you!
#renault #clever #convertible

[@DS-fo4ed]

Breaking wind. All parts available.

[@peterlarkin762]

Farts por sale.

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

😂

[@XXKXXKXX]

Flatulence will get you nowhere

[@MorristheMinor]

@@XXKXXKXX Have you tried Rennies????

[@TaylorBourne96]

You still have parts sir what colour?

[@johnwinters4201]

All the Winds on AutoTrader suddenly jump up from £2500 to £3500.

[@isthereanybodyoutthere9397]

One of my neighbours has one. She parks almost opposite me, and I smile everytime I see it. Typical French chic.

[@jadams3427]

Check out AutoScout, then.

[@Invisibleman7]

I worked in a Renault dealership when the Wind was released ( not a fart btw). They sold 3 in total. I had a 1.6 for a week and I really enjoyed it. Not too make you jealous Ian but I also had a Avantime for a week and a Velsatis

[@toadinthehole8085]

Your make it sound like you had his wife for a week then his sister for the week after 😂.

[@hakansivertsen6520]

I have a VelSatis and a Avantime now...

[@Invisibleman7]

@@hakansivertsen6520 very nice 👍🏻

[@Future-Classic-Comics]

Maybe he did.​@@toadinthehole8085

[@llewsep]

Cracking little motors IMHO. but. I am slight biased. 😁 Had mine for 3 years, and shes never let me down. Roof is always a talking point. And that 1.2 tce is just brilliant. Still quite a distinctive car to this day I think. As always Mr H. Brilliant video. 💜

[@JamesG75]

Marvellous, a HubNut video to put the Wind back in my sails! I'll get my coat...

[@AuroraBeyond888]

A Vel Satisfying comment, right on Avantime.

[@JamesG75]

@@AuroraBeyond888 Very good!

[@AuroraBeyond888]

@@JamesG75 Cheers mate. Have a great weekend.

[@JamesG75]

@@AuroraBeyond888 Thanks mate, you too!

[@twocvbloke]

One of those cars you don't want to fail, because apparently breaking Wind is frowned upon by some... :P

[@michaelwright2986]

I'm glad you said this, because you got the form of the joke right, while I was still struggling. I wonder how the open exhaust button is labelled?

[@LetsChill..]

I have a white wind 1.2 with tan leather interior, I love the styling of this little car. gets plenty of looks as people don't know what it is. haven't found a problem with the rear window size as it's something you get used to. parts are plentiful and not expensive. been watching hubnut for years and look forward to every video so I am so pleased to see the same car as mine. looking forward to all future videos.

[@Farney-gy1qo]

I love the Nostalgic external door latches, A la Renault 5. They need to bring them back.

[@charliemanson4808]

11:13 ahhhh memories of (pre sat nav) Dutch roads... a canal on one side, a tree lined ditch on the other, two way traffic and only 1.5 cars wide! Best driven at night searching for a location you've never been before!

[@jfv65]

Indeed!

[@PeterCrosland]

The first Oma to cycle up and find you parked in the bike lane -gone with the wind.

[@NeilBarratt]

Beware of icy roads in winter.

[@heikkiremes5661]

If it's fun without breaking the speed limit, it is a great summer car. The open exhaust is a nice extra.

[@jochenverschoren4666]

I work at a dealership with several car brands and one of them is Renault. So i have driven a couple of them in the past and can tell that the 1.6 is even more fun. The only thing i don't like is the wide A pillar. Plus the interior feels cramped with a closed roof. But i still quite like em

[@dungbetel]

A car with a high level of Hubnuttyness, I agree. This has changed my opinion of the car completely.

[@thatcheapguy525]

Ian, you're not alone. of all the super-mini derived sports cars, the Wind is right up there for me. its cute looks, simple intelligent roof design and practicality are absolute winners. btw, talking of the mullet, it seems to have disappeared since returning from NL...

[@LetsChill..]

for those thinking parts are expensive for this car I've recently changed brake disks and pads all round had rear springs and shocks which were easily obtained and cost no more than any other car, brakes also fit clio and megane, the 1.2 engine is the same as a twingo. as for the roof failing to close you can open the roof cover with an allen key behind the renault badge then lift the roof up to close. yes it is a bit bumpy around the bad roads of south wales but find a nice road (good luck with that) and it feels great to drive. it's different , its fun, which is why I like it, sun is out today so roof down. enjoy the rest of your day guys. oh and so glad twc is back. keep these fabulous videos coming

[@luzindro]

I saw one of these here in Portugal, for the first time, just two weeks ago. And now this video. I sense a quest coming my way.

[@Cyberdyne-kg8ku]

The radio controls are the same as on my 2022 Dacia Stepway. Nothing wrong with that. They work fine and are intuitive to use.

[@joshbrailsford]

I must say, it appears Renault at least considered a few of the challenges facing the driver of a topless car: 1. They thought to deeply recess the gauges within the instrument binnacle, so you stand half a chance of reading them when it's sunny; and 2. Those heater control looks like they'd be operable by gloved hands.

[@ethanrainsford4251]

I have always liked this since it come out i think it looks quite funky id love to have a go in one

[@The-Observer]

I nearly bought one of these shortly after they came out. I liked the look of it.

[@williamgreer4087]

I remember TG magazine had one on long term test back then and loved it. if I remember rightly they had some sort of optional extra exhaust from Renault to make it a bit louder.

[@bentullett6068]

It did have the optional sport package which gave it the sporty exhaust modification.

[@clarebrookes314]

I saw one for the first time only yesterday, quite fancied it.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

An excellent review of a fun little Renault.

[@plym1969]

A wonderful quirky car. The roof is a work of genius. Very entertaining!

[@noesph1637]

They were great little cars the wind and twingo MK2. But they didn't really get any love in the UK. The 1.2 tce 100 (d4ft) is a great little engine. (People / websites seem to get confused as there are two completely different engines called the 1.2 tce. The earlier D4FT is pretty much bulletproof. The later HR12DDT less so). I've got 122k miles on mine, and it's never been apart. Still on the original clutch even though it's spent 99% of it's life around London. I've seen a MK2 twingo with the same engine with nearly 300k miles in it. You actually made a comment about the wipers on mine at the hubnut social in brooklands a few years ago.

[@Adam_T]

First time I saw one I thought it must be mid-engined by the styling and the thought of that little car powered by a sporty Clio engine in the middle was very appealing indeed . sadly wasn't the case but its a cute little car all the same , reminds me of the Mk1 Tigra I had

[@davidhinkson8856]

Reminds me of the Honda Civic Del Sol but the roof mechanism looks a lot simpler.

[@C.I...]

@@davidhinkson8856 Del sol - the only convertible with a built-in forklift.

[@marcelromijn2227]

Surprisingly the rearward visibility in an Alpine (actual midengined) is better than in a Wind. Both share a bit of playfullness in the driving.

[@daniellee9015]

Absolutely brilliant video Ian ❤👍 what a beautiful car love it and that exhaust note brilliant

[@catmandoodoo7903]

I drove one a few times at a dealership I worked at. Thoroughly enjoyed it but being quite a bit over 6ft meant I couldn’t drive it with the roof closed.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Is it a good car? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind. 😂 Sorry, someone had to say it. I always thought these were nice looking cars. Not sure if naming it Wind was the best marketing decision.

[@TheFlyingBusman]

And as Ian headed off down the road, all I could think of was Clark Gable and he’s Gone With The Wind!

[@HologramJones]

So many of your videos come to me when I am thinking about the cars featured as a used fun buy, I have been thinking of this Renault Wind lately looking around online for info and prices. No longer need to, you got this covered for me

[@Al-os2cg]

The Renault Wind, I quite like these, looked at them a while back, my brother laughed at the very suggestion. Still like them though.

[@Eric_Hunt194]

The name was certainly a mis-step for the UK

[@marcelromijn2227]

It has similar meaning in a variety of European languages.

[@koini11]

I was really tempted by one of these before getting a smart roadster. They have a similarly weird vibe and are about as rare.

[@SayreFoxx]

Ive got one of these, i saw one in the showroom in 2010/11 and loved them ever since, as you say the ride is a bit stiff but they drive so nicely on a country road. the only thing i would warn about is that parts for the suspension can be hard to get and a bit pricey in the UK,if anyone reading this buys one id advise joining the Wind owners club as they have helped me source a few parts i was struggling with., lovey to see you appreciate the quirky french roadster

[@martinneumann7783]

There is one “windy” example in the town I’m living and a blue Avantime in my home village at lake Constance. Thanks for the road test and see you pretty soon… Martin 🇫🇷🚗🇫🇷

[@grahamcockerill2406]

First time I've seen one, great little car. Would've sold well here in Australia. Aussie Graham.

[@jdtseventyfour]

I must admit until your video I knew absolutely bugger all about the Wind. What a cool funky looking little machine. I quite like it! thanks for sharing Ian 🙂

[@gryfandjane]

Looks like a delightful little car! I have a soft spot for small open-top types, and own an MG Midget. I guess we won't see the Wind here in the States, so thanks for introducing me to this one.

[@graythelion]

Damn, there is something to be said for a buttressed rear window though. It was one of my favourite design features on my 407 Coupe!

[@gafrers]

Lovely, seen only 2 around over the years. Always been interested in it

[@mikes747]

It may be grey plastic inside but at least they didnt just bung in a clio interior like Vauxhall did with the Tigra and its straight corsa install!

[@tommychuckles7199]

These deserved to do better in the U.K. Cracking looking little car.

[@jennyd255]

Another review of a car I always wanted but could never actually afford because they were just too expensive. I dare say prices these day are more sensible, but now I have a partner who only drives automatic, so unless there is an auto version it will just have to remain another of my unrequited motoring dreams. Thanks for a lovely review though. I enjoyed watching you drive it.

[@nickjones2536]

Oh! I do like that! I am biased though as a serial sporty Renault owner for more than thirty years 😮

[@PaddyWV]

I remember coming across these on the Renault France Website, but don't recall them being in the UK! Renault's best kept secret then! 🙂 At the same time I remember seeing the larger Renaults that we also didn't get in the UK. What did we do to offend them!

[@emjayay]

I don't name my cars, but if Mr Nut owned this one obviously he would have to call it Mariah.

[@ethelmini]

I'm blown away by the puns in the comments.

[@chriswalford9228]

Yes but don't they wind you up!

[@Ribeirasacra]

Something about Blow job.

[@Ro32da72]

A great car for this channel - fun, unusual, and quirky. I've always kind-of fancied one of these, might have to do looking come February / March... very sensible money, even during our sort-of summer.

[@JohnMintyTech]

Not heard of this model. Great to see a review.👍

[@rabit818]

We had the Honda Civic del Sol in the US, Manual roof, fits in in the trunk too. The Wind is sportier than the del Sol. Love the giggle lol

[@StreakyP]

Best sticker I saw was on the back of a race tuned mx5 saying "no hairdressing tools are left in this vehicle overnight"

[@briangriffiths114]

My local dealer had the top of the range model with tan hide interior, and it looked like a small supercar. I was up for buying one until my elderly mother started sniggering at the name. This is probably what killed sales of an otherwise cracking little car, as the French underestimated the UK's sense of humour when it comes to anything vaguely related to flatulence.

[@uncomfortableconversations2613]

In places it reminds me of the Opel Tigra, it would have been interesting to see if we could put a Renault Megane power plant in there just to have a automatic

[@anthonystevens8683]

This one flew right under my radar until this video. A 2 seater drop head that still has a decent boot. I'm surprised at the number of convertibles on the used market that never that popular at launch that might be worth a look. Purchase price aside availability of parts has to be a consideration for me but I do like the idea of the wind in my wig from this little wonder..

[@paulmcfarlane6034]

Really like these and I have been watching them in the classifieds. I know that there is an active owners club for them and in fact they turned up in large numbers at last year's Doncaster classic car show.

[@niklaswejedal463]

I knew it! Another tiny Renault I just need to have! 😅 A quick check on my favorite car trading site showed that there are 3 - two red, one blue - for sale here in Sweden... The blue being a 1,6 Gordini no less. Want!

[@adrianmclean9195]

A great little car, with real life practicality - unlike the Volvo and Z4 - never came to Australia - wish it did - the Copen and Colt did ??

[@alextoft9199]

I think sound and feeling of speed is what we're missing from modern stuff. I have such happy memories of my 1999 Fiesta. The induction roar from standard on the 1.25 Zetec and the whinny gearbox made it feel like you we're flying along the road. Very slow car but a lesson in fun!

[@waynetetley584]

You found a treasure 😊

[@AR-gk1kt]

I've never driven one but I love it! It's sooo cute and looks so much fun. Unfortunately I burn far too easily to have a convertible, I'm also probably too tall and with too much Y chromosome for the Wind. Good thing they made the A110, I'm jealous of the boot space though.

[@nicoroehr]

It's a nice odd little car. Used to despise the Renault Wind when it came out, now I really like it.

[@martijnappeldoorn8686]

I knew the Avantime and the Vel-satis, but i never heard of the Wind. Seen more Twizy’s then these ones

[@pizzalover3]

It has aged very well; doesn't look 14 years old.

[@knutarneaakra6013]

Hi hubnut. Please try a peugeot rcz. I got mine for ten years now. Far better than my citroen c6 ore my now older 😊elise. GREAT ODD KZbin VLOGS !😊

[@gg_vard]

One of my "normal" dream cars, together with the cute Copen! So weird!

[@Koulis_]

There was a group of these at the Newbury Classic Car Show last year which surprised me.

[@PaulabJohnson]

Looks like a great little car but probably released too late as everyone was moving towards SUVs. Look at all the manufacturers that no longer make 2 seater convertibles (Mercedes SLK, Audi TT etc) Always admired Renault for not fearing bringing out some left field models

[@adrianmclean9195]

I wish Renault would get its Mojo back: that is - RS Sports models. VW has persisted with the Golf GTi and RS/VR6 ? and the Polo GTi. With the Fiesta ST and Pug 208 GTi and black edition Citroen DS3 - there was and still IS a market for them. The performance from electric requires cost, the performance from the petrol isn't as costly, still fun and sounds and if the VW's are soooo popular around the world as they are in Australia, why on earth don't they continue these hot hatches - fun and economical. Others have filled the gap - like the Hyundai N series. The Clio was soooo far more full on then the others and more technologically advanced and equipped and was made as a track car. With the telemetry, launch control, RS mode, switchable passenger airbag, tech from F1, incredible chassis and in Australia, they couldn't sell enough of them. Believe it or not - outside of France, it was it's biggest market. Hardly any left, because they have been thrashed and raced. Even a dedicated race series. Also the chassis tuning compromise between Australian rough roads and the track was awesome. Tyres were the let down - Continental: too soft - so eventually replaced by I think Bridgestone/Dunlop. Inside wheel would lift off the ground when turning into steep, right angled driveways. Hilarious. I know the market IS there - and the French CAN do it - just look at the Olympic Opening Ceremony 😢😊🦘🗼🇲🇫🇦🇺

[@Mouse2113]

Always liked them, cool little cars

[@user-cw3tb2zw4o]

I'm based in NL as well and own a wind 1.6 with sport exhaust. My 1.6 has been remapped by Dekker autosport and is now so much fun to drive! If you ever want to extend this video with your experience with a 1.6 please let me know.

[@HubNut]

Thank you. Won't be back in NL for a while sadly.

[@hansvanmeel1598]

@@HubNut

[@1183newman]

I kinda like it, always had a soft spot for tiny sports cars which stems from my tiime owning a smart roadster.

[@neilsheppard6673]

Great little car, ideal for daily.

[@krs4976]

I have never seen 1 of these, Ever. Looks fun a few good design choices especially that fantastic roof. Massivly underpowered for what it is though. Definitely needs a proper sports model pushing out 150+ bhp

[@user-sf7kl9uh7k]

Hub Nut, could you review a mk2 Laguna? 🙃

[@tomoreilly9932]

I really feel it should be driven at night time, roof down in an electrical storm,with your phantom of the opera Cd on the go.... Spooky

[@wanderingorganist]

By a strange coincidence, I followed one of these in blue metallic along the A27 on Thursday. Had I not seen this vid I wd have had no idea what it was or how rare :-)

[@nikmwh]

I always thought that the Renault Wind would actually be quite a good car!

[@angusnz7910]

Never heard of it and never seen one…but it looks kinda cute. Myself, ide love a V6 Avintine, or an Alpine of any vintage

[@AuroraBeyond888]

I begged my mother to stop her obsession with this silly little roadster when I was a kid as I was too ashamed by the name. Looking back at it, and the values of the Gordini version she wanted, I feel like a right twat now.

[@caw25sha]

Renault should have used that in their advertising. "The perfect car to embarrass your kids".

[@AuroraBeyond888]

@@caw25sha I did not want to be driven around in a Wind. Mind you, it's not like our clapped Rover was any less shameful, especially after their collapse...

[@NotYou9311]

I thought this car was an interesting proposition, when it was in production. I have a bit of concern regarding the long-term reliability of the roof, so I'd really like to see a manual mode for operating the roof. Or even simply full manual operation, with no power. That would even shed some weight, in addition to less mechanical/electronic complication. I'm sure most people would hate that idea - but not me. Simpler is better, in my book...almost without fail. But, overall, a pleasant and fun little car. I'd like to have one, I think, if they were obtainable on this side of the pond.

[@micheltebraake7915]

Fits together, a test drive with the Wind on a windy day.

[@Jodoi1]

Love the look of this! If I had one the perfect number plate would be F4 RTS

[@sharonec5419]

Why l? That reads as F four RTS . What's do perfect about that? A number 4 does not make an A no matter how you try to say it does.

[@nobbygecko]

i have one .. excellent cars but i'm biased .. great fun to drive ...

[@gingerelvis]

I quite like the styling and did at the time (externally!) but it's funny how over the years I see blue acents and think oh electric Nothing wrong with that just interesting how a colour has adopted a new meaning over time in branding, must be my graphic designer intuition kicking in

[@BrorAppelsin]

That could've been marketed as a Smart Roadster Mk2... I wonder why they didn't?

[@Paul_C]

Maybe because a Smart sub brand from Mercedes and not a Renault? Just guessing here...

[@BrorAppelsin]

@@Paul_C Smart Fortwo was a Renault Twingo.

[@sharonec5419]

​@BrorAppelsin Yes the 2nd or 3rd generation, not the first gen Smart do.

[@sharonec5419]

Because Renault and Smart had not yet bring working together.

[@BrorAppelsin]

@@sharonec5419 3rd gen fortwo and 2nd gen forfour which were Twingo-based were unveiled in 2014 so there was co-operation for some time before 2014, during the time where Wind was still in production. So not completely unrealistic idea, in my opinion.

[@recall2880]

ooooo it’s my man hunk Ian! Xxx

[@PC3Pointless]

I had a Twingo GT on which the Wind was based, the engine was quite nice & perky but the completely dull lifeless steering sapped most of the fun out of it…

[@galaxy-express-999]

I had no idea it existed. I guess the problem with this card is that it was designed with 90s mindset, especially for the interiors.

[@scottbuchele4814]

I wonder how long the packet of snacks has been in the glove box.

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

I've never seen one before, I like the styling very much. Don't know own about the name, though.

[@drd6416]

Even cleverer the the civic crx del sol....... i quite like it.

[@gg_vard]

slowing getting to the catalog of your latest uplods 😅

[@colinblick8946]

Gordini did one as well 😉

[@50SingingBadgers]

There was a Wind for sale near me recently. I’d forgotten about them, but I thought it was fabulous and changed my route for several days just to look at it. It’s different, rare and because it’s French - odd. I offer no excuses for not buying it. Stupid boy.

[@Future-Classic-Comics]

Great review reminds me of the Tigra and CRX Del sol. Except it's side profile is so fat so wedge it looks like a prius made love to a Saab 9-3 convertible, personally puts me off the styling.

[@McGrory69]

The dehumidifier bags in the rear storage shelf tells me the roof seal isn't the best and a pet hate of mine is people who set the rear mirror dip switch incorrectly as you should only see it when you have the mirror temporarily dipped.

[@andyn6266]

My wife used to own one,she loved it until she gazed at an MX5. Needless to say the Wind went and a MX5 arrived.😂😂

[@Zlin0035]

looked at Winds on auto trader and most of them seem to be 1.6l in the UK.

[@James-ld2jc]

Can't imagine that the name helped

[@lesklower7281]

A very impressive boot its so huge and that is with the folding roof whats it like with the roof up the boot would be enormous

[@marcelromijn2227]

With the roof becoming a part of the hatch there is no difference at all between open and closed. A big benefit as you never have to worry about that.

[@kenbakie4590]

I noticed that Toyota manufactured Corolla II Windy and Super Windy models back in the 1990s for the JDM market. I wonder if they would be able to trump the Renault Wind?