Renault Fuego

The Fuego's exterior was styled by Michel Jardin and the interior by Francois Lampreia, both working under the direction of Robert Opron. The coupe's distinctive styling by Opron featured a glass hatchback that offered large cargo utility. Renault unveiled a new model badged "Fuego" at the 1980 Geneva Auto Show as a successor to the R15 and R17, and planned the coupe to be named R19. The suspension design would later be added to the facelifted Renault 18, and later, with minor refinements such as larger bushings, the Renault 25. Power steering was available at the higher end of the range. 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". Wind tunnel testing was used to allow the Fuego to have sporty coupé lines while maximizing rear seat space. 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 . using a system invented by Frenchman Paul Lipschutz — marketed as the PLIP remote in Europe, after its inventor. The Fuego was also the first to feature a remote steering-wheel-mounted audio system controls (on the European LHD GTX and Turbo from September 1983). This feature was subsequently popularised on the 1984 model Renault 25. The Fuego was also available with options including leather upholstery, a multi-function trip computer, cruise control, air-conditioning (factory- or dealer-installed), and a full-length Webasto electric fabric sunroof. ==Marketing==

Europe 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). United States The Renault Fuego was marketed in the United States through American 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 , rectangular sealed beam headlights situated deeper in their housings, rear side marker lights, as well as unique body striping and wheel designs. 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. MotorWeek praised the 1982 model for its stylish design, standard features including an electric sunroof, and a combination of with performance. However, the same review noted some drawbacks, including subpar braking and noticeable understeer. Imports of the Fuego ultimately ended in 1985. American specifications included sealed-beam headlights, side indicator lights, stronger bumpers, and a catalytic converter for the exhaust system. Reportedly, three examples were built with leather upholstery and white tops. The concept car was well-received in Paris, and Renault considered including the convertible in the model line by using Heuliez as a subcontractor for the conversion. However, Renault did not pursue the proposal due to lower-than-expected sales of the Fuego coupe in the American market. United Kingdom 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. Australia 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. New Zealand 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. ==Timeline==

• February 1980 - Introduction of the Fuego three-door coupé. Available as TL with a 1397 cc engine (rated at , with manual choke), "GTL" with a lower power output (economy tuned) 1647 cc engine, and GTS with the regular 1647 cc engine (rated at , with automatic choke), with a four-speed manual gearbox on the TL and GTL, five-speed manual or three-speed automatic gearbox on the GTS. The TL has a basic equipment level with 155 SRx13 tyres, heated rear window, rear fog light, split-fold rear seat, and cloth upholstery. The GTL adds 175/70x13 tyres, electric front windows, tachometer, height-adjustable steering wheel, front head restraints, analogue 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 an engine oil-level gauge, power-assisted steering, and an optional three-speed automatic transmission. 185/65xHR14 light alloy wheels are optional. • 1981 - Fuel reserve warning light standard on all models, the four- and five-speed manuals were modified and some had their ratios adjusted. The optional three-speed automatic transmission now available on the 2 L TX and GTX in addition to the 1.6 L, beginning in September 1981. • 1982 - The GTL is upgraded to a five-speed gearbox, while the automatic switched from the 1.6 L to the torquier 2 L engine. The GTS gains electronic ignition. The GTS, TX (depending on the country), and GTX gain remote central locking. The 2.1 L 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 an economy tuned version of the 1647 cc engine and a five-speed gearbox, while electronic ignition becomes standard across the range. 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. == The clubs ==

There are Renault Fuego clubs in several countries that organize events and set up booths at classic car shows. • France: Club Fuego France • Germany: Club Fuego Freunde • Spain: Renault Fuego Club • Argentina: Club Renault Fuego Argentina ==References==