Renault Fuego

Renault Fuego (1980-1984)

The Fuego (Spanish for " fire " ) was a coupe of the car maker Renault, which was until the beginning of 1986 produced by the spring of 1980 in Europe and from mid- 1982 until the end of 1992 in South America. It was based on the Renault 18

The assembly of the model was carried out for some of the European markets until late 1985, Renault in Boulogne- Billancourt and until the beginning of 1986 by the company Maubeuge Construction Automobile in Maubeuge. In Argentina, the production ran until the year 1995 into it.

1980 got Renault Fuego for the Golden Steering Wheel presented, the first ever for Renault.

Model history

In February 1980, the idea of Fuego took place at the Geneva Motor Show. This is based on the Renault 18 coupe replaced the offered since late summer 1971 models Renault 15 and Renault 17.

The entry-level versions were called TL and GTL. They made from 1397 cc 47 kW (64 hp). In Germany they were not available. There the program began in the variants TS and GTS with the 1647 cc engine with an output of 71 kW (97 hp).

In October 1980, the presentation of the top versions TX and GTX was. They both had a light-alloy engine with 1955 cc and 81 kW (110 hp). Special features were the five-speed gearbox, central locking, power steering, electric windows and a headlamp cleaning system.

Also worth mentioning is the turbo diesel engine, first used in a coupe from August 1982 with 2.1 liter displacement and 63 kW ( 86 hp ), but which also eluded the German market.

In August 1983, the Fuego Turbo 1565 cm ³ displacement and 97 kW ( 132 hp ) was introduced as the new flagship model, the standard package consisted of four disc brakes, a trip computer and electric exterior mirrors.

Facelift

Parallel to the same time as the revised R18 Fuego was in May 1984 donated a new cockpit and a revised grille. Furthermore, for the American market by Fuego GTX a version with regulated catalytic converter and a 2.2 -liter injection engine with 75 kW (102 hp). The introduction of the GTX with G- Kat took place until the spring of 1985 in Europe.

After 24 022 copies sold in Germany the distribution of Fuego in October 1985 has been terminated.

In France, production was discontinued in early 1986 by 265 257 vehicles.

Production sites

Production of the Fuego took place in Palencia Spain under the leadership of Renault España SA In South America, however, the model of the Renault Argentina SA was manufactured in Santa Isabel from mid-1982. Later took over the Compania Interamericana de car Móviles SA the work in which the Fuego was built until the beginning of 1987 until it finally shifted the lasting until the end of 1992 production of the model at the main plant in Buenos Aires.

For the North American market, however, the assembly took place in Kenosha with the American Motors Corporation.

Successor

After the end of Fuego there was for many years not a sports coupe in the Renault program. Launched in late autumn 1995 Mégane Coach was only one at the rear somewhat modified two-door version of the same time presented Mégane Hatchback. Moreover, it was this, unlike the Fuego, located in the compact class.

Only after 22 years, in November 2008, was again offered by the introduced in October 2007, third -generation Renault Laguna a sporty midsize coupe. This can also be regarded as the legitimate successor of the Fuego.