The Renault Fuego (Fire in Spanish) is a sport hatchback that was manufactured and marketed by Renault from 1980 to 1986, replacing the Renault 15 and 17 coupés of the 1970s.
A total of 265,367 Fuegos were produced, approximately 85% of which were manufactured in Maubeuge, France, from 1979 until 1985. Spanish production for European markets continued into 1986.
Cars built in France were imported and marketed in the United States by American Motors Corporation (AMC). The Turbo version went on sale in the US in 1982, a year before its launch in France.
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 Fuego was heavily based on the Renault 18, sharing its floorpan 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. 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. 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% local parts integration.
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 .
The Fuego was one of the first cars to offer a remote keyless system with central locking, available from September 1982, 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.
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 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.
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 a fuel-injected turbocharged 1.6 L (1565cc) or a 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 offering on the highway and a $8,495 base price.
The Fuego received generally good reviews. 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.
Despite the generally favorable reports, the Fuego failed to improve Renault's market position in the United States significantly. Sales steadily declined, and by 1984, AMC dealers were offered rebates of up to $1,000 to move the cars off their lots. Imports of the Fuego ultimately ended in 1985.
Renault was seeking greater brand exposure in the United States and commissioned the French coachbuilder Heuliez to develop a Fuego-based convertible. The prototype was unveiled the Paris Motor Show in October 1982, but aimed at the U.S. market. 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. Development of the sub-compact Renault Alliance convertible with American Sunroof Corporation expertise was underway for 1985 model year production by AMC in Kenosha, WI.
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 1980âÂÂ81 with the TL, GTS, and GTX, before increasing to the TL, TS, GTS, GTS Automatic, TX, and GTX manual in 1981âÂÂ82; TL, TS, GTS, GTS Automatic, TX, GTX, GTX Automatic in 1982âÂÂ83; TL, GTS, TX, GTX Automatic, and Turbo in 1983âÂÂ84, and down to just two (GTS and Turbo) during 1985 and 1986 as sales declined.
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.
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 new Renault Alpine GTA. 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.