Supporting its credentials as an economy model, the engine in the Novaquatre came with a listed maximum output of 48 hp (36 kW) at 3,000 rpm as opposed the 52 hp (39 kW) at 3,300 rpm for the Primaquatre with what was, on paper, much the same engine.

[3] The Celtaquatre had ceased production in April 1938 and was effectively replaced by both the (slightly smaller) Renault Juvaquatre and by the Novaquatre.

[3] The standard four-door saloon-bodied Novaquatre now sat on a wheelbase of 2,830 mm (111.4 in),[1] which had already been used for the "Commerciale" version of the Celtaquatre.

These seismic military events give context to the changes that the model underwent, and explain the shortness of its production run.

Taking the April 1940 factory output of 716 cars, 441 were Juvaquatres, 240 were Primaquatres and just 35 were Novaquatres.