| Renault Fuego | |
|---|---|
 1984 Renault Fuego GTX | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Renault |
| Production |
|
| Assembly |
|
| Designer | Michel Jardin, Francois Lampreia, andRobert Opron |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sport compact |
| Body style | 3-doorliftback |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Related | Renault 18 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,443 mm (96.2 in) |
| Length | 4,358 mm (171.6 in) |
| Width | 1,692 mm (66.6 in) |
| Height | 1,315 mm (51.8 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Renault 15 and 17 |
| Successor | Renault GTA (USA) |
TheRenault Fuego (Fire in Spanish) is asport hatchback that was manufactured and marketed byRenault from 1980 to 1986, replacing theRenault 15 and 17 coupés of the 1970s.
Marketed in the United States byAmerican 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 ofRobert Opron.[5] Automotive journalistL. 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 theRenault 18, sharing itsfloorpan 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 resultingdrag 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 180 km/h (110 mph).[9]
The Fuego was one of the first cars to offer aremote 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-lengthWebasto electric fabric sunroof.
A convertible version trimmed with a leather interior was unveiled by the French coachbuilderHeuliez 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 Renault Fuego was marketed in the United States throughAmerican Motors Corporation (AMC) dealers from 1982 until 1985. The car underwent several modifications to meet U.S. regulations, including reinforced front and rear bumpers that increased its length from 4,358 to 4,540 mm (171.6 to 178.7 in), rectangular sealed beam headlights situated deeper in their housings, rear side marker lights, as well as unique body striping and wheel designs.[13] A combination of automatic transmission with cruise control was available for US-specification cars as well as a visibility group that included a rear window wiper and right side exterior mirror. Leather upholstery was optional as well as power windows and door locks.[13]
The U.S.-spec Fuego came with a variety of features and powertrain options. For the 1982 and 1983 model years, it was offered with either afuel-injected 1.6 Lturbocharged (1565cc) or normally aspirated version (1647cc). The engine lineup was revised for 1984, introducing a 2.2 L engine available with manual or automatic transmissions, in addition to the turbo model. By 1985, only the 2.2 L engine was offered. The Fuego was a practical four-passenger hatchback coupe with a notable fuel economy of 39 mpg‑US (6.0 L/100 km; 47 mpg‑imp) on the highway, and its base price was set at $8,495 upon introduction.
The Fuego received generally good reviews.[14]MotorWeek praised the 1982 model for its stylish design, standard features including an electric sunroof, and a combination of 30 mpg‑US (7.8 L/100 km; 36 mpg‑imp) with 80 kW (107 hp; 108 PS) performance.[15] However, the same review noted some drawbacks, including subpar braking and noticeable understeer.[15]
Despite the generally favorable reports, the Fuego failed to improve Renault's market position in the United States significantly.[14] Sales steadily declined, and by 1984, AMC dealers were offered rebates of up to $1,000 to move the cars off their lots.[16] Imports of the Fuego ultimately ended in 1985.[13]
Renault sold the Fuego in the UK aiming it at the market segment occupied by theOpel Manta andFord 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.
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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 meetAustralian 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 newRenault Alpine GTA.[20] 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.
C'est l'un des thèmes esthétiques chers au designer Michel Jardin, aujourd'hui responsable de la cellule concept-cars chez Renault et initiateur de la bulle sur feu la Renault Fuego et la Renault 25.
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