Impressions
Comfort first
Flashy looks
When Renault launched the Fuego Turbo in September 1983, the brand had already built 110,000 cars using similar technology. And that was just the start of it. The Fuego looked ever so flashy, but could the turbo variant live up to its sporting promise?
With the Renault 18 and Fuego sharing their chassis’, it seemed no more than logical to equip both models with the same powertrain also. And so in 1983, when the 18 Turbo had been for sale for some time, the same 1,565cc turbo engine received a place under the low nose of the coupé with its outspoken styling. Black ribbed finishers around its body plus a panoramic rear window had mainly characterized the Fuego. Its shape provided the Fuego with very good aerodynamics at the time.
Smaller displacement
The engine with this capacity originated from the 16 TS while it could also be found in the 12 Gordini a little later. In the 1980s there was only a 1,647cc variant and that’s why it was quite special that Renault harked back to a slightly smaller displacement. The 18 Turbo gave the power unit an output of 125hp and a torque figure of 181 Nm in 1983.
Higher turbo pressure
The main focus for the R18 was on a good coordination between performance and fuel consumption, while, according to Renault, Fuego Turbo buyers would mainly look at the performance levels. That was why, for example, the engine’s compression ratio was lowered to allow for a higher turbo pressure. This intervention gave its results. The engine was now good for a power output of 132hp at 5,500rpm, while it also exhibited an increased torque figure of 200Nm at 3,000rpm. The carburettor also underwent some changes. Furthermore, Renault applied an air-to-air intercooler plus a small electric fan to increase the engine compartment cooling – in particular for the carburettor after the engine has been switched off. This ensured a trouble-free start even when the engine was hot.
Traffic light sprint
The press information handed out at the car’s launch compared the new Fuego Turbo with eight coupé competitors. The Fuego was a clear winner in terms of performance, fuel consumption, power and torque at the time. So what can then be the reason why the car doesn’t feel very sporting today? Well… The coupé is especially comfy thanks to its soft seats and the noticeable tilt in curves. It is ever so nice on long journeys, but it doesn’t really command respect at a traffic light sprint with a modern car. This never the less is the simple explanation. We are so much used to powerful turbo engines nowadays that it makes it difficult for this ancestor to convince.
The Fuego is impressive in another way though, by its special design and its beautiful interior. At the car’s launch in 1980, the Fuego was an outright head turner. It was a car that stood out because of its shapes. The low nose, the many black accents and the honeycomb alloy wheels of the Turbo versions all contributed to its different looks. Turbo badges may have been missing, but that was richly compensated for by the large Turbo decals on the sides and rear window.
A modest facelift
The equipment was worthy of a top-of-the-range version. Every Fuego Turbo left the factory with central locking with remote control (PLIP) as a standard. Plus electric door windows, headlight wipers, rear wiper, fog lights and electrically adjustable door mirrors on both sides. The Fuego Turbo appeared right at the moment when Renault made a modest but general facelift for all of its models. From the 1984 model year-on the Fuego, for example, was recognizable by a new grille in which the top two bars were painted in body colours. The Turbo received bumpers which, depending on the body colour, were executed in a light or dark shade of grey while a wide finisher in black additionally protected them.
Wide unit
But it was primarily the interior, which received major changes, although these depended also on the level of equipment. The Turbo variant used a fully new dashboard with a wider upper section. A new board computer with various functions to monitor fuel consumption or outside temperature could be found below that on the far left, against the a-post. Centrally placed there was a wide unit with the well-known instruments, including turbo pressure gauge placed in the bottom of the rev counter. The dash’ upper section runs all the way to the top of the centre console. In there, buyer could fit the optional 4x20 Watts Renault radio by Philips that originally came in the 11 Electronic. In that case it also used a control unit on the steering column. At the top of the console you could find the important controls as well as the readout of the radio’s frequency. Slightly lower the familiar sliders for the equalizer were placed. One more step further down below and the operation of heating and ventilation could be found.
Thick carpets
The interior floors, including that of the boot, were covered in thick carpets and the materials used gave a homely impression. The seats were upholstered with anthracite-coloured fabric on the edges and centres with red stripes in the latter. This material also found its way to the 9 and 11 Turbo slightly later. Depending on the paint colour, an interior in brown and beige was also supplied in addition to the anthracite and red. Leather upholstery was available as an option. Customers were given the choice between black and sepia.
Maubeuge
The Renault Fuego Turbo was not only supplied to European customers but also made it to the American market. Production of the car took place in Maubeuge, France exclusively. The first cars appeared in April 1980, but it was a relatively short production run. By the first quarter of 1985 the plug was pulled after 226,583 cars had been built in France.
Argentina
Still, the Fuego wouldn’t die. The car was also produced in Santa Isabel, Argentina. There, production started in late-1982. In ten years time, a total of 19,352 coupés is built there and it even underwent a facelift after the European production stop. Unfortunately, the turbo version was not included in the Argentinean production.
En détail...
Renault Fuego Turbo R1365
Specifications
Engine:
Type A5L D 750, 4 cylinders petrol, bore x stroke 77 x 84 mm, capacity 1.565 cc. Carburattor Solex 32 DIR, turbo Garrett T3. max. power 132 bhp at 5.500 rpm, torque 200 Nm at 3.000 rpm, compression ratio 8:1. Electronic ignition, air-air intercooler.
Gear Box:
Type NG3, 5 speed manual and 1 reverse gear, gear ratios: 1st - 4,091, 2nd - 2,176, 3rd - 1,409, 4rd - 0,97, 5th - 0,78, reverse - 3,54, final transmission 3,78. Tyres 185/65 HR 14.
Suspension:
Self-supporting body, Cw value 0.35, independent front suspension, rigid rear axle with centrally suspended triangle, coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers, stabiliser bar V/A 19/25 mm.
Dimensions/weights:
Length 4.384 mm, width 1.692 mm, height 1.336 mm, wheelbase 2440 mm. Ground clearance 0.120 mm. Turning cycle 10,20 meter (between sidewalks). Weight: 1.050 kg. Fuel capacity 57 litres. Luguage 338,5 - 781 litres.
Performances:
Top speed 200 km/h, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 9,5 seconde.