120 Years of Renault – Renault Type MH 6 Roues (1924)
120 Years of Renault – Renault Type MH 6 Roues (1924)
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The early 20s represented a period of discoveries, an era of great pioneers, and the need for a vehicle that was able to make long crossings in the desert was ever more pressing. This is the reason for the birth of the Renault Type MH, the first 6-wheeler perfectly capable of challenging the Sahara desert and thus facilitating communications between Algeria and French West Africa. On July, 3rd of 1925, starting from Algeria, a French representation – aboard the Type MH – reached Cape Town in South Africa, covering 23,000 km and crossing over 35 rivers.
The Type MH 6 Wheels was therefore an important car, not only for the mechanical innovations that it brought with it, but also for the social value that offered to the nNation. With gigantic dimensions, but weighing only 1,340kg, the 6 Wheels had traction on the two axles at the rear, which also had twin tires, while the gearbox was a 3-speed with two positions low gears. The dimensions of the engine were generous, a fundamental aspect to guarantee the torque and power needed to cover rough terrain: it is a in line 4-cylinder 2,120cc, capable of pushing the Type MH at about 50 kph.