Renault Fuego

Infobox Automobile
name = Renault Fuego


caption = 1981 Renault Fuego GTX 2.0
manufacturer = Renault
production = 1980 – 1985 in Billancourt, France
1980-1986 in Spain
March 1982 – 1992 in Argentina
class = Sports car
body_style = 3-door hatchback
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
predecessor = Renault 15
Renault 17
successor = None
layout = FF layout
related = Renault 18
similar = Ford Capri
Isuzu Piazza
Toyota Celica
Volkswagen Scirocco

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, drivetrain, and other items. Later, 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. It was sold in the United States through American Motors (AMC) dealers from 1982 through 1985 inclusive. The Americanization of the car drew negative responses from the original European design team due to the enlarged bumpers, recessed headlights with plastic surrounds, and choices of interior and exterior finishing that were required to suit American tastes and legislative requirements fact|date=February 2008. A convertible version was unveiled by the French coachbuilder Heuliez in 1982, but never made it to production due to cost fact|date=February 2008 - the R11/Alliance convertible taking its place.

Its major accomplishments including being the top-selling European two-door coupé for the 1980-82 period; the first mass produced four-seat sports model to be designed in a wind tunnelFact|date=August 2007 (with a resulting drag coefficient (Cd) factor of 0.32-0.35 depending on model and year); in October 1982, the new Turbo Diesel model being classified as (then) the fastest diesel car in the world with a top speed of 180kph; and 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). [ [http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/features/classic-cars-renault-fuego-437026.html Chapman, Giles. "Classic Cars: Renault Fuego" The Independent, 20 February 2007] , retrieved on May 3 2008.] 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.

Production

The car was a radical departure from the R15 and R17, as it introduced a gently rounded design instead of the wedge-shaped predecessors. The Fuego's body design was created by noted automotive designer 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, and interior trim. 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 an instant sales success. It became the number one selling coupé in Europe during the 1980-2 period. However, as with most fashionable designs, its sales slipped as the years progressed. In France itself (thus, excluding Argentina and Spain) the production number was 226,583Cite web|url=http://www.fuego.net.pl/historia_gb.htm|title=Renault Fuego|accessdate=2008-01-07|work=fuego.net.pl] or 265,257. [Maybe this includes the Spain production? The number is found on the German wiki]

Renault sold the Fuego in the UK, aiming it at Opel Manta and Ford Capri buyers, where it became the top selling coupé through 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.

Media appearances

A red French specification Fuego Turbo appears in the 1985 James Bond movie "A View to a Kill", while a 1982 U.S. specification metallic grey Fuego Turbo appears in the 1995 "GoldenEye" and 1997 "The World is Not Enough" films.
In the episode 'Chariot of Gold' of Knight Rider, a red Fuego plays a part.

Collectibility

There are Renault automobile clubs that welcome Fuego owners and enthusiasts.

Timeline

*February 1980 - Introduction of the Fuego 3-door coupé. Available as TL and GTL with 1397 cc engine (rated at Convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on, with manual choke), and GTS with 1647 cc engine (rated at Convert|96|hp|kW|0|abbr=on, 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 1995 cc engine (rated at 110 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 Auto bhp|73|0 1647 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 emmission 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.
*1986 - Production ends in Spain. Production lines transferred to Argentina and Venezuela.
*1987 - Production continues in Argentina (where it now features the 2165 cc engine as the only available powerplant with 116cv) 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 123cv By Berta motorsport.
*1992 - South American production ends.

Notes

External links

* [http://graduate.gradsch.uga.edu/archive/Fuego.html Fuego information and pictures]
* [http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20020712/FREE/207120701&SearchID=7323334742019 July 2002 AutoWeek article on the Renault Fuego]
* [http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/features/classic-cars-renault-fuego-437026.html February 2007 article from UK newspaper The Independent on the Renault Fuego]