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Winnebago LeSharo
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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 with an aerodynamically-enhanced exterior.
The vehicle used the chassis of the Renault Trafic commercial van. Though Renault did not sell the model line itself in North America, the Trafic shared its gasoline and diesel engines with several Renault and Jeep vehicles marketed in the United States (at the time, Renault was the parent company of 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.
The model line was assembled by Winnebago in Forest City, Iowa; approximately 21,000 examples were produced. For 1995, the company revived the concept with the Winnebago Rialta, using the Volkswagen Eurovan chassis.
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 (8 in) 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.
At its launch, the LeSharo was fitted with a 57 hp 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 75 hp. 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). In order to comply with US emissions regulations, the Lesharo was equipped with a catalytic converter (made by Teneco Walker's European division) and a carbon canister (from GM).
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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 with an aerodynamically-enhanced exterior.
The vehicle used the chassis of the Renault Trafic commercial van. Though Renault did not sell the model line itself in North America, the Trafic shared its gasoline and diesel engines with several Renault and Jeep vehicles marketed in the United States (at the time, Renault was the parent company of 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.
The model line was assembled by Winnebago in Forest City, Iowa; approximately 21,000 examples were produced. For 1995, the company revived the concept with the Winnebago Rialta, using the Volkswagen Eurovan chassis.
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 (8 in) 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.
At its launch, the LeSharo was fitted with a 57 hp 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 75 hp. 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). In order to comply with US emissions regulations, the Lesharo was equipped with a catalytic converter (made by Teneco Walker's European division) and a carbon canister (from GM).
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