| Renault Fuego | |
| Manufacturer: | Renault |
| Class: | Sport compact |
| Body Style: | 3-door liftback |
| Layout: | FF layout |
| Wheelbase: | 24431NaN1 |
| Length: | 43581NaN1 |
| Width: | 16921NaN1 |
| Height: | 13151NaN1 |
| Predecessor: | Renault 15 and 17 |
| Successor: | Renault GTA (USA) |
| Related: | Renault 18 |
| Designer: | Michel Jardin, Francois Lampreia, and Robert Opron |
The Renault Fuego (Fire in Spanish) is a sport hatchback that was manufactured and marketed by Renault from 1980 to 1986, replacing the Renault 15 and 17 coupés of the 1970s.
Marketed in the United States by American Motors Corporation (AMC), the Fuego was also assembled in several countries in South America, where production continued until 1992. According to Renault, 265,367 Fuegos were produced, 85% of those manufactured in France from February 1980 to October 1985.[1] [2] Spanish production for European markets continued into 1986.
The Fuego's exterior was styled by Michel Jardin,[3] [4] and the interior by Francois Lampreia, both working under direction of Robert Opron.[5] Automotive journalist L. J. K. Setright said the Fuego "is blessed with a body which is not only roomy and aerodynamically efficient, but is also beautiful".
The Fuego was heavily based on the Renault 18, sharing its floorpan and drivetrain, with its front suspension developed from the larger Renault 20/30. Despite sharing no parts, the design kept the familiar double-wishbone layout common with the Renault 18, incorporating a negative scrub radius geometry.[6] The suspension design would later be added to the facelifted Renault 18, and later, with minor refinements (larger bushings etcetera), the Renault 25. Power steering was available at the higher end of the range.[6] The Fuego dashboard was added to the facelifted R18 in 1984 (though initially only available in the R18 Turbo) and then both updated again in September 1983 (LHD cars only) for the 1984 model year. European production continued until 1985 in France and 1986 in Spain, while Renault Argentina produced the Fuego from 1982 until ending production in 1992 with the 2.2 L "GTA Max" (the final phase III facelift introduced in 1990). In Argentina, it reached 63 percent local parts integration.[7]
Wind tunnel testing was used to allow the Fuego to have sporty coupé lines while maximizing rear seat space.[8] The resulting drag coefficient (Cd) factor ranges from 0.32 to 0.35. In October 1982, the turbocharged diesel Fuego became the fastest diesel car in the world, with a top speed of 180km/h.[9]
The Fuego was one of the first cars to offer a remote keyless system with central locking, available from September 1982,[10] using a system invented by Frenchman Paul Lipschutz - marketed as the "PLIP" remote in Europe. The Fuego was also the first to have remote steering-wheel-mounted controls for the audio system (European LHD GTX and Turbo from September 1983).[11] This feature was subsequently popularised on the 1984 model Renault 25. The Fuego was also available with options including leather upholstery, multi-function trip computer, cruise control, air-conditioning (factory or dealer-installed), and a full-length Webasto electric fabric sunroof.
A convertible version trimmed with a leather interior was unveiled by the French coachbuilder Heuliez in 1982 aimed at the U.S. market, but was not produced[12] due to lower than expected sales in the American market - the R11/Alliance convertible taking its place. Three examples were built and finished to American specification (sealed beam headlights, enlarged bumpers, etc.).
The Fuego became the best selling coupé in Europe during 1980 through to 1982. Variants included: 1.4 L TL, 1.6 L economy tuned GTL (LHD only); 1.6 L TS and GTS (manual and automatic transmissions); 2.0 L TX and GTX (manual and automatic transmissions). The TX was a downgraded version of the GTX, but differences varied by country. This model deleted alloy wheels, electric windows, central locking, air conditioning, fog lights, headlight wipers, etc. depending upon the market. A manual-only 2.1 L turbo-diesel was also produced for LHD European markets in the 1982-1985 period. This model was differentiated by the "bulge" in the top of the bonnet, extra vents in the front bumper, and "Turbo D" badging on the grille, side and rear hatch glass.
The Fuego Turbo (1.6 L/1565cc with a manual transmission) was added in 1983 to coincide with the facelift. This facelift included a revised front grille, plastic trim on the bumpers, revised dashboard on LHD models, wheel design, interior trim and fabrics - sepia (coffee brown) with dark brown/white striped velour seats; or ash (grey) with black/red striped velour seats for the Turbo, and ash or sepia for the other models sold with European specifications. Interior colour now depended on exterior colour, eliminating the large choice of customised options of the previous models. The facelifted GTX was also offered with the 2.2 L EFI engine from the Renault 25 in certain LHD markets (generally where the Fuego Turbo was not sold).
The Fuego was marketed in the United States through American Motors Corporation (AMC) dealers from 1982 to 1985 inclusive. It was offered with a fuel-injected 1.6 L turbocharged (1565cc) or normally aspirated version (1647cc) in 1982 and 1983; for 1984 and 1985 the car was offered with a 2.2 L engine with manual or automatic transmissions, plus the 1.6 L turbo version. The hatchback coupe could carry four passengers, and delivered 39mpgus on the highway) at a base price of $8,495 at introduction. The model received generally good reviews.[13] MotorWeek praised the 1982 Fuego for its styling, standard features including an electric sunroof, and as well with 30mpgus with performance.[14] They also noted below average braking and understeer.[14]
The Fuego did not achieve the sales to turn Renault's fortunes around in the United States.[13] By 1984, AMC dealers were eligible for rebates of $300 and $1,000, respectively, on each model.[15]
Renault sold the Fuego in the UK aiming it at the market segment occupied by the Opel Manta and Ford Capri. It became the top-selling coupé during 1981 and 1982. The available trims beginning in 1980–81 with the TL, GTS, and GTX, before increasing to the TL, TS, GTS, GTS Automatic, TX, and GTX manual in 1981–82; TL, TS, GTS, GTS Automatic, TX, GTX, GTX Automatic in 1982–83; TL, GTS, TX, GTX Automatic, and Turbo in 1983–84, and down to just two (GTS and Turbo) during 1985 and 1986 as sales declined.
In Australia, the 2 L GTX manual was the main model from 1982 to 1987, fully specified with factory air conditioning, TRX alloy wheels, a passenger mirror with remote control, but no trip computer. There was also a limited run of the more basic TX models. The Australian specifications included side intrusions beams in the doors and emission controls to meet Australian Design Rules.
In New Zealand the UK specification GTS and GTX manuals were delivered from late 1981 into 1982; GTS, GTS Automatic, GTX, GTX Automatic in 1983; GTX, GTX Automatic, Turbo in 1984; GTX Automatic and Turbo in 1985; GTX (end of line Australian specification GTX's transferred from Australia), GTX Automatic, and Turbo in 1986.
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.[19] However, the development of the new model was cancelled at the last minute due to a combination of Renault's financial problems along with the declining demand for sports coupés in the marketplace at that time.
There are Renault Fuego clubs in several countries that organize events and set up booths at classic car shows.