Renault Fuego

Renault Fuego

Facelift Renault Fuego 2.2
Manufacturer	Renault
Production	1980–1985 in Billancourt, France 1980–1986 in Spain March 1982–1992 in Argentina Venezuela
Predecessor	Renault 15 Renault 17
Successor	Renault Laguna Coupé
Class	Sports car
Body style	3-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Engine	1.4 L I4 1.6 L I4 1.6 L turbocharged I4 2.0 L I4 2.1 L turbodiesel I4 2.2 L I4
Related	Renault 18
Designer	Robert Opron

1981 Renault Fuego GTX 2.0

Rear of a Renault Fuego TS 1.6

The Renault Fuego is a four-seater, three-door hatchback produced by French automaker Renault from 1980 to 1992, replacing the Renault 15 and 17 coupés of the 1970s.

Development

The Renault Fuego was heavily based on the Renault 18, sharing its floorpan and drivetrain, but featuring a new front suspension design. The design kept the familiar double wishbone layout common with the Renault 18 but no parts were interchangeable and the design incorporated negative scrub radius geometry. The new suspension design would later be introduced in the facelifted Renault 18 and with minor refinements (larger bushings, etc) it was used in the Renault 25. In 1984, the Fuego dashboard was added to the facelifted R18. European production continued into 1986 (to 1985 in France and 1986 in Spain), while Renault Argentina produced the "Fuego GTA Max" up into 1992.

The Fuego was sold in the United States through American Motors (AMC) dealers from 1982 to 1985 inclusive. The styling adaptions of the car drew negative responses from the original European design team due to the enlarged bumpers, recessed headlights with plastic surrounds, and choice of interior and exterior finishing that were required to suit American tastes and legislative requirements^{[citation needed]}. A convertible version was unveiled by the French coachbuilder Heuliez in 1982, but never made it to production due to cost^{[citation needed]} - the R11/Alliance convertible taking its place.

The Fuego was the top-selling European two-door coupé from 1980–82; the first mass produced four-seat sports model to be designed in a wind tunnel^{[citation needed]} (with a resulting drag coefficient (Cd) factor of 0.32-0.35 depending on model and year). In October 1982, the Turbo Diesel model was classified as the then-fastest diesel car in the world with a top speed of 180 km/h.

The Fuego was the first car in the world to have a remote keyless system with central locking that was available from the 1983 model year (from October 1982). The system was invented by Frenchman Paul Lipschutz (hence the name PLIP remote which is still used in Europe), and later introduced on other Renault models.

The Fuego was also the first car to have steering wheel mounted satellite controls for the audio system (European LHD GTX and Turbo from October 1983).^{[citation needed]} This feature became popularised on the new 1984 model Renault 25.

Production

The Fuego's exterior was designed by Michel Jardin, working under Robert Opron (who had previously designed the Citroën SM, Citroën GS, Citroën CX, and later followed with the Renault 25 in 1984).

European model variants ran as follows: 1.4 L TL, GTL; 1.6 L TS, GTS (manual and automatic transmissions); 2.0 L TX, and GTX (manual and automatic transmissions). A 2.1 L Turbo Diesel was also produced for LHD European markets in the 1982-84 period. The Fuego Turbo (manual transmission only) was added in 1983 to coincide with the midlife facelift. This included a new front grille, bumpers, wheel design, interior trim and a revised dashboard on LHD models. In the United States, the Fuego was offered with a 1.6 L turbocharged or normally aspirated version in 1982 and 1983; for 1984 and 1985 it was offered with a 2.2 L engine.

The Fuego became the number one selling coupé in Europe during the 1980-2 period. The official Renault website states that a total of 265,367 Fuegos were produced. In France (thus, excluding Argentina and Spain) the number produced from 1980 to 1985 was 226,583

While being reasonably well specified for a vehicle of that time, the Fuego was also available with a number of options including leather upholstery, multi-function trip computer, cruise control, air-conditioning (either factory fitted or a dealer installed option with thermostat control), and a full length Webasto electric fabric sunroof.

Renault sold the Fuego in the UK, aiming it at Opel Manta and Ford Capri buyers, where it became the top selling coupé during 1981-2, but sales fell off before finally ending in 1986 with just the GTS and Turbo as the two sole models.

The Fuego was not directly replaced by another model in the Renault range. A Fuego II was planned, similarly styled as the new Renault Alpine GTA, but the development of the new model was cancelled at the last minute due to Renault's financial problems and the falling sales of sports coupés in general at that time.

Timeline

• February 1980 - Introduction of the Fuego 3-door coupé. Available as TL and GTL with 1,397 cc engine (rated at 64 PS (47 kW; 63 hp), with manual choke), and GTS with 1,647 cc engine (rated at 96 PS (71 kW; 95 hp), with automatic choke), with 4-speed manual gearbox on TL and GTL, 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic gearbox on GTS. TL has basic equipment level with 155 SR 13 tires, heated rear window, rear fog light, split/fold rear seat, and cloth upholstery. The GTL adds 175/70 13 tires, electric front windows, tachometer, height-adjustable steering wheel, front head restraints, analog clock, wheel covers, remote-adjustable drivers door mirror, laminated windscreen, opening rear quarter windows, H4 headlights, pre-installed radio kit, and velour upholstery. The GTS adds engine oil level gauge, power-assisted steering, and optional 3-speed automatic transmission.
• 1981 - Fuel reserve warning light standard on all models. GTS obtained modified gearbox.
• 1981 - Introduction of the TX and GTX with 1,995 cc engine (rated at 110 PS/81 kW; 108 hp) and 5-speed manual gearbox. TX has same specification as GTS. GTX as GTS and TX, plus rear wash/wipe, front fog lights, headlamp wash/wipe, 14-inch alloy wheels (185/65 HR14), leather on the steering wheel rim, gearlever gaiter, and handbrake lever gaiter, as well as digital clock, passenger side door mirror, bronze tinted windows, luggage cover, and much more.
• 1982 - The GTL is upgraded to a 5-speed gearbox. GTS gains electronic ignition. GTS, TX, and GTX gain remote central locking. Optional 3-speed automatic transmission now available on TX and GTX. The 2.1L Turbo Diesel is introduced to certain LHD European markets. The 1.6 L fuel-injected and turbo versions are introduced in the United States through Renault/American Motors dealers.
• 1983 - The GTL gains economy tune 73 PS (54 kW; 72 hp) 1,647 cc engine, 5-speed gearbox.
• 1984 - the new model year features a facelift with new grille, bumpers, wheel design, and interior trim (as well as a new dashboard on LHD vehicles). A limited production run of Turbos fitted with EFi produced for the Swiss market to meet their emission controls.
• 1984- Models sold in United States are equipped with 2.2 L engines and an updated interior.
• 1985 - Production of the Fuego ends in France, with the introduction of the Renault 21.
  

  

  Fuego GTA Max (Argentina)
• 1986 - Production ends in Spain. Production lines transferred to Argentina and Venezuela.
• 1987 - Production continues in Argentina (where it now features the 2,165 cc engine as the only available powerplant with 116 PS/85 kW; 114 hp) and Venezuela.
• 1990 - The final phase III GTA is introduced with new bumpers, white front indicators, and charcoal tail-lights. The higher performance GTA Max, an improved version of the GTA, is introduced in Argentina with a 2.2 engine and 123 PS (90 kW; 121 hp) by Berta Motorsport.
• 1992 - South American production ends.

External links

• Fuego information and pictures
• August 2010 New York Times article on the Renault Fuego
• July 2002 AutoWeek article on the Renault Fuego
• February 2007 article from UK newspaper The Independent on the Renault Fuego
• Site describing the rejuvenation of the old Infra-Red PLIP system by incorporating the GonzPlip based on UHF radio technology