Renault 18

Renault 18

Manufacturer	Renault
Production	1978 – 1989
Assembly	Billancourt, France Santa Isabel, Argentina (IKA) Heidelberg, Australia Los Andes, Chile Envigado, Colombia Abidjan, Ivory Coast Ciudad Sahagùn, Mexico Casablanca, Morocco Pitesti, Romania Novo Mesto, Slovenia Valladolid, Spain Colón, Uruguay Mariara, Venezuela
Predecessor	Renault 12
Successor	Renault 21 Eagle Medallion (North America)
Class	Large family car Mid-size car
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon (Renault Sportwagon)
Layout	FF layout
Engine	1.4 L I4 1.6 L I4] 1.6 L turbocharged I4 2.0 L I4 2.1 L diesel I4 2.2 L I4
Transmission	4/5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,440 mm (96 in)
Length	4,390 mm (173 in)
Width	1,690 mm (67 in)
Height	1,400 mm (55 in)
Curb weight	940 kg (2,100 lb) (base)
Related	Renault Fuego

The Renault 18 is a large family car produced by French manufacturer Renault between 1978 and 1993 (with production for European markets finishing in 1989).

Development

The Renault 18 was intended as a replacement for the Renault 12, which, having been in production since 1969, was beginning to show its age by the late 1970s, though the 12 was kept in production alongside the 18 until 1980. Unlike the earlier car, the 18 was designed rather quickly; the time between its initial conception and its actual launch date was only eighteen months, primarily due to the fact that the 18 was based upon the 12's underpinnings. Although Renault made numerous forays into international markets in countries such as Brazil with the 12, their first true “world car” was their 18, hence the slogan Meeting International Requirements, which (as well as in France) would later be produced in ten other countries and four continents around the world.

The Renault 18 also formed the basis for the "Renault Eve" research car. This extremely fuel efficient model, with only a 1.1 litre engine borrowed from the R5, featured then state-of-the-art aerodynamics and use of lightweight materials. The project was sponsored by the French government, who also promoted Peugeot's "Vera" series of concept cars.

The initial range

The Renault 18 went into production at Renault's Flins factory in France in December 1977. It was presented at the Geneva Salon in March 1978, with marketing and sales starting the following month.

Renault 18 saloon

Initially, the R18 was only available as a four-door saloon, in TL, GTL, TS and GTS trim variations. The TL and GTL were powered by the 1397 cc Renault Cléon petrol engine (which was developed from the 1,289 cc engine from the Renault 12), which produced 64 PS (47 kW; 63 hp). Both models had a four-speed gearbox. The TS and GTS were powered by the 1,647 cc A-Type engine (which was the same as used in the Renault 17 TS) but without the fuel injection, which lowered the output to 79 PS (58 kW; 78 hp). The TS had a four-speed manual gearbox, while the GTS had a 5-speed gearbox (with optional 3-speed electronic automatic transmission available for both models. The automatic versions of the TS and GTS models were called the TS Automatic and GTS Automatic to distinguish them from their manual transmission counterparts. Assembly of the Dacia 18 began in Romania in 1978.

The 18 was Renault's first car to use the 1.4 L Cléon engine in the medium-size car sector. The Renault 18 also used three-stud wheels (similar to those of the Citroën 2CV), rather than the four- or five-stud wheels common on most of its contemporaries. In 1980 Turbo and Diesel R18 models came fitted with four-stud wheels (necessitated by using suspension parts and wheels from the larger R20 and Fuego), with all versions using four-stud wheels from the 1983 facelift onwards.

The first estate models

1980 Renault 18 TL Break

By the late 1970s, European production of the Renault 12 was being gradually wound down, followed by the arrival of the estate versions of the Renault 18 on 1 March 1979. The R18 Estate ("Break" in French-speaking countries) was only available in TL and TS model variations, except in Australia where all Australian-assembled Renault 18s, sedan and station wagon, were GTS. They were mechanically identical to their saloon counterparts. As for equipment specifications, the estates were identical to the saloons, except the TS estate additionally featured shock-absorbent bumpers, door mouldings, and front seat head restraints from the 18 GTL saloon. The estate proved almost as popular as the saloon.

The Renault 18 estate was also sold (as the "Sportwagon") through American Motors (AMC) in the North American market from 1981 to 1986, and the saloon in 1981–82 as the Renault 18i. For the 1987 model year it was replaced by the Renault 21's North American equivalent, the Eagle Medallion. The 18i was different in many ways, with larger bumpers, two-tone paint, uncovered sealed-beam headlights, and different hubcaps.

Timeline

The Renault 18 began production in April 1978. The first changes were in the spring of 1979 when the station wagon as well as a new basic model, called simply the "Renault 18", were introduced. Also beginning in 1979, the 18 Automatic became a separate model (with GTL trim) rather than simply a transmission option. A year later all production models were outfitted with a new alternator that included a built-in electronic regulator. In July 1980, the 18 Diesel model was added. This model was mechanically similar to the Renault 20 Diesel, and was equipped with a 2,068 cc engine (rated at 49 kW (66 PS)), negative offset front suspension, and larger four-stud wheels. The diesel-engined 18s came in two trim levels: TD and GTD. The basic TD (which was available as both a saloon and estate) had a four-speed gearbox and the equipment level of the TS, while the GTD (which was exclusively available as a saloon) had a five-speed gearbox and an equivalent equipment level as the GTS. Power-assisted steering was optional on the GTD, while a five-speed gearbox was optional on the TD.

The 18 Turbo model was introduced in September 1980, borrowing from other Renault models. The 18 Turbo featured a 1,565 cc engine (rated at 110 PS (81 kW), five-speed gearbox, negative offset front suspension, four-stud alloy wheels, rear spoiler, dashboard and interior fittings from the Renault Fuego. A little later yet, a Turbodiesel version arrived; this had a 88 PS (65 kW) version of the 2.1 litre inline-four fitted to the TD/GTD and at the time it was the fastest car in its class.

Model year 1982 saw the introduction of several changes to the entire lineup of 18 models, shown in late 1981: the negative offset front suspension, previously available only on the Turbo and Diesel models, was made standard. The front indicator lenses were changed from orange to clear, bumpers and door handles were switched from chrome to black polyester, and the seats were restyled to provide more space in the rear seats. Model-specific changes included the available option of a five-speed gearbox on the TL; the GTL received an "economy-tune" 73 PS (54 kW) version of the 1,647 cc engine, as well as a five-speed gearbox, higher final drive ratio, electronic ignition and an econometer gauge. The TS and GTS version were discontinued.

In 1983 the "Type 2" arrived. This meant a grille change, all models gained a front air dam, while the saloons also received a standard rear spoiler. The three-stud wheel rims were replaced with the larger four-stud wheel rims (with the Base, TL and TD just having center caps, and the GTL, Automatic, GTS and GTD all having full wheel trims). The biggest difference, however, was that the dashboard was replaced by that of the Fuego. The GTX model was introduced in France in 1984. Subsequent years saw fewer changes to the 18 line, in preparation for the launch of the Renault 21 in 1986. In this year, the 18 model is withdrawn from sale in the UK. Furthering the discontinuation of the Renault 18, European production stopped in 1989. At this, 2,028,964 Renault 18s were built in France alone. Finally, in 1993 the last Renault 18 rolls off the production line in Argentina. 132,956 units were built in Argentina alone.

End of production and replacement

The 18 was replaced by the Renault 21 during 1986, being withdrawn from the British market in July of that year. It was finally withdrawn from Europe in 1989, but continued in production until 1993 in South America. In Argentina and Colombia, there were other versions too, namely the TX and GTX. The TX being the initial 1982 model, featuring the Douvrin 2.0 L four-cylinder powerplant, a first for a production 18 worldwide (there was a need for a powerful car to replace the Renault Torino luxury-sports range). There was also the GTX-II, featuring a basic on-board computer that displayed fuel consumption, etc. It was available with 1.6 L (TL), 2.0 L and 2.2 L engines. There was a special edition of the 18 with two-tone paint (black top and light grey bottom) called the American (later updated with central locking and other items, which was named the American 2).

This Renault 18 GTX finished seventh overall in the 1992 Rally YPF Argentina

The Renault 18 GTX was also rallied in South America by Renault of Argentina, following the various competition successes of the earlier 12 TS.

Trim levels

Index Name	Production Years	Engine Size	Notes
Renault 18 TL	1978–1986	1397 cc	Specification includes: Two-speed wipers Intermittent screen wipe Electric screen washers Volt meter Engine coolant temperature gauge Fuel gauge Six-figure mileage recorder Trip recorder Handbrake warning light Defective front brake discs warning light Day/night position for interior rear view mirror Rheostat for adjusting brightness of dashboard lights Illuminated ashtray, heater panel, boot and glove box Heated rear screen Anti-dazzle headlight adjustment Adjustment for direction of headlight beam Cigarette lighter Drivers side sun visor Passengers side sun visor Vanity mirror in passengers side sun visor Full carpeting Cloth upholstery Front armrests with grab handles Rear armrests Ashtrays in the rear doors Childproof rear door locks Passengers side interior courtesy light Front door pockets Center console incorporating coin tray Reclining front seats Loudspeakers in front doors.
Renault 18 GTL	1978–1986	1397 cc (1978–1982) 1647 cc (1982–1986)	Specification of TL plus: Foam-filled steering wheel H4 iodine headlights Quartz clock Velour upholstery Styled wheels Drivers side interior courtesy light Map reading light for front seat passenger Remote-adjustable driver's side door mirror Rear fog lights Headlight wash/wipe system Pre-installation radio equipment Shock absorbent bumpers Adjustable front seat head restraints Black rubber protective side mouldings.
Renault 18 LS	1979–1981	1647 cc	Specification of TL, but sport-oriented.
Renault 18 TS	1978–1982	1647 cc	Specification of TL, plus: Foam-filled steering wheel H4 iodine headlights Quartz clock Velour upholstery Styled wheels Drivers side interior courtesy light Map reading light for front seat passenger.
Renault 18 GTS	1978–1983	1647 cc	Specification of GTL, plus: Electric front windows Central locking
Renault 18 TD	1980–1985	2068 cc Diesel	TL trim level with diesel engine, 2.1-litre
Renault 18 GTD	1980–1986	2068 cc Diesel	GTS trim level with diesel engine, 2.1-litre

External links

• A personal Renault 18 site.
• "Les Renault 14 & 18" — in English, French, German and Spanish.