Renault Fuego

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Renault Fuego
Manufacturer	Renault
Production	1980-1985 in Billancourt, France 1980-1987 in Spain March 1982-1992 in Argentina
Predecessor	Renault 15 Renault 17
Successor	None
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
Related	Renault 18
Similar	Ford Capri Isuzu Piazza Toyota Celica Volkswagen Scirocco

The Renault Fuego was a four-seater, three-door hatchback produced by French automaker Renault from 1980 to 1992. It was heavily based on the Renault 18, sharing its floorpan, drivetrain, dashboard and other items. European production went on into 1987, while Renault Argentina produced the 'Fuego GTA Max' up into 1992. It was sold in the United States through American Motors Corporation (AMC) dealers from 1982 through 1985 inclusive. It replaced the Renault 15 and 17 coupés of the 1970s.

The car was a radical departure from the R15 and R17, as it introduced a 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, and Citroën CX.

European model variants ran as follows: TL, TS, GTS, TX, GTX. The Fuego Turbo was added in 1983 with a midlife facelift to the front grille, bumpers and interior trim. In the United States, the Fuego was offered with a 1.6 liter turbocharged or normally aspirated version in 1982 and 1983; for 1984 and 1985 it was offered with a 2.2 liter engine.

The Fuego was not directly replaced by another model in the Renault range. A red Fuego appears in the James Bond movie A View to a Kill, while a gray metallic one appears in GoldenEye.

In France itself (thus, excluding Argentina and Spain) the production number was 226.583 (http://www.fuego.net.pl/historia_gb.htm) 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, but it was not a success, as French brands were still having enough trouble selling large quantities of their family cars in the early 1980s.

[edit] Timeline

• February 1980: Introduction of the Fuego 3-door coupé. Available as TL and GTL with 1397cc engine (rated at 64hp, with manual choke), and GTS with 1647cc engine (rated at 96hp, 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' tyres, heated rear window, rear fog light, split/fold rear seat, cloth upholstery. GTL adds 175/70 13' tyres, electric front windows, rev counter, height-adjustable steering wheel, front head restraints, analogical clock, central wheel covers, remote-adjustable drivers door mirror, laminated windscreen, opening rear quarter lights, H4 headlights, pre-installed radio kit, velour upholstery. GTS adds engine oil level gauge, power-assisted steering, 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 1995cc engine (rated at 110hp) 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, leather steering wheel rim, gearlever gaiter, handbrake lever gaiter, digital clock, passenger side door mirror, bronze tinted windows, luggage cover...
• 1982: GTL gains 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. 1.6 liter fuel-injected and turbo versions introduced in the United States through Renault/American Motors dealers.
• 1983: GTL gains economy tune 73bhp 1647cc engine, 5-speed gearbox.
• 1984: Models sold in United States are equipped with 2.2 liter engines and updated interior.
• 1986 - Production of the Fuego ends in France, with the introduction of the Renault 21. Production continues in Argentina until 1992.
• 1988: A freshened model, the GTA, is introduced in Argentina.
• 1990: The GTA Max, an improved version of the GTA, is introduced in Argentina.

[edit] External links

• [1]Renault Fuego Club Argentino (in Spanish)
• Fuego information and pictures
• Fuego - page about classic Renault car
• [2]Renault Fuego Club of Buenos Aires (in Spanish)
• [3] Renault Fuego GTX Club of Argentina (in Spanish)
• [4] Renault Fuego Club of Spain (in Spanish)
• [5] July 2002 AutoWeek article on the Renault Fuego
• [6]February 2007 article from UK newspaper The Independent on the Renault Fuego

	Renault car timeline, 1940s-1980s  v • d • e																																								Next ->
Type	1940s					1950s										1960s										1970s										1980s
	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Economy car																	3 / 4
Supermini																												5 / 7													Super 5
Small family car		4CV										Dauphine						8/10						6								14						9/11
Large family car	Juvaquatre																							12										18								21
Executive car							Frégate														16										20 / 30								25
Coupé																											15/17									Fuego
Roadster														Caravelle
Off-roader																									Rodeo 4/6												Rodeo

<- Previous	Renault car timeline, 1980s-present  v • d • e
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
City car														Twingo														Twingo II
Supermini						Super 5					Clio I								Clio II / Thalia							Clio III
Small family car			9 / 11						19							Mégane I								Mégane II
Large family car	18						21								Laguna I						Laguna II								Laguna III
Executive car				25									Safrane									Vel Satis
Leisure activity vehicle															Kangoo
Mini MPV																									Modus
Compact MPV																	Scénic I						Scénic II
Large MPV					Espace I							Espace II						Espace III					Espace IV
																						Avantime
Coupé	Fuego
Roadster																Spider

American Motors road car timeline, United States market, 1954—1988  v • d • e
Type	1950s						1960s										1970s										1980s
	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Subcompact																	Gremlin									Spirit					Encore
Compact	Rambler American																Hornet								Concord
	Jet																					Pacer								Alliance
Mid-size			Rambler Six					Classic						Rebel				Matador
				Rebel V8								Marlin									Matador Coupe
Full-size	Nash				Ambassador																														Premier
	Hudson
Sports															AMX
															Javelin
Crossover																											Eagle
SUV																	see timeline of Jeep models
Import	Metropolitan																							LeCar
																												Renault 18							Medallion
																													Fuego