After switching to Formula 1 and winning the 1978 LeMans race, Renault launched the facelift for its flagship, the 30.
It was fitted with better engines and transmissions.

The Renault 30 was the first car built by Renault to feature an engine with more than 4 cylinders under the hood, after WWII. The state-owned French company took care of building accessible cars for French people and only after that it started to look more for the export markets.

The Cibie four-round headlamps and the black grille were one of the key design elements of the R30 when compared with its cheaper brother, the R20, which had the same bodywork but square headlights. There were new door handles, flush to the bodywork and that enhanced the look of the car. A wider choice of alloy-wheels was available. The car still featured steel bumper, both front, and rear, but with the addition of rubber strips.

Inside, the car was modernized. It could feature a Philips stereo-radio, a power-sunroof, power-windows and locks. The large front seats and the big space for the rear bench made the car very comfortable for long journeys.

The Renault 30 featured either a fuel-injected V6 engine or a 2.1-liter diesel. A 5-speed gearbox was fitted as standard and a 3-speed auto was available at extra cost for the gasoline version only. The four-wheel independent suspension enhanced the comfort and the cornering speed, while the disc-brakes all-around ensured a shorter stopping distance.