Nowadays, one would speak of a lifestyle station wagon, but there was no such term at the end of 1982, when Renault launched an estate version of the 18 Turbo, which was very powerful at the time. A trendsetter?
Given the extremely modest production numbers, the 18 Turbo Estate cannot exactly be called a success, but that's exactly what makes this model a highly desirable collector's item.
When Renault introduced the 18 Turbo in July 1980, it was only a saloon. The four-cylinder front mounted engine, originally found in the Renault 16, had a capacity of 1,565 cc. The addition of a Garrett T3 turbocharger and an air-to-air intercooler increased the power output to a respectable 110 hp for the time. From the 1983 model year, the turbo pressure was increased from 0.6 to 0.85 bar and power increased to 125 hp. Torque was still impressive with 181 Nm at 2,500 rpm. The engine breathed only through a single Solex 32 DIS carburettor but was equipped with electronic ignition.
The front wheels were driven via a five-speed manual gearbox and because the weight of the 4.48-metre long estate car was limited to 1,115 kg, performance was extremely smooth: a top speed of 190 km/h and acceleration to 100 in 10.4 seconds. In short, it's a car that will do the job even today.
But it's not just the technology, the performance and the rarity that make this car special. It is also the interior that speaks volumes. Of course the 18 Turbo Estate was equipped with everything that was considered luxurious in 1982. On the outside, the new light alloy turbo wheels were immediately visible, as well as the striping under the side body mouldings. The front doors were adorned with the Turbo badge. The strips and plastic bumpers were the same as the first facelifted Renault 18, aa were the black door handles. The chrome roof rails gave the car extra appeal. Two door mirrors and a rear screen wiper were also standard, as was dark tinted glass. The dark brown metallic paint made it a very special creation.
The differences continue with the interior. There, the Turbo had the Fuego's more modern dashboard, where the instrument cluster seemed to have been perched on the dashboard body. The leather upholstered steering wheel also originated from the Fuego GTX and the same went for the leather gear knob. The thick carpet was also appropriate for the top model in the range and the same material featured on part of the door panels.
While the very first Renault 18 Turbo saloon was still fitted with plain velour upholstery, in the 1983 model year of the Turbo Estate we find the same dotted upholstery in different shades as used in the Fuego GTX and the Renault 30 TX (1981 model year only). The centre console housed the two controls for the electric windows (front only) at the very top and the turbo pressure gauge in between, because buyers of this model not only want to feel the turbo, but also to see that it was doing its job. The seats were basically the same as those of all other Renaults 18s, but the backrest was different in design, comparable with the 5 GTL/TS/TX and the 14 TS. As a result, the side support was better, but the backrest was much narrower at the top, so that the shoulders were not supported.
The tailgate opened to a loading space covered with the same deep-pile carpet, which could be hidden from view by means of a roller cover. The load volume was impressive, ranging from 475 to 1,560 litres.
The career of the Renault 18 Turbo Estate was a very short one. The share of the Turbo saloon and Estate in total Renault sales was below one per cent and therefore Renault decided to cease production in the summer of 1985. This meant that the 18 Turbo Break was made for less than two and a half years. Rarity assured, for that matter!
The Renault 18 Turbo Break was only briefly part of the range but during that time underwent a facelift. The difference was not too great. Technically, nothing changed. On the outside, the phase II could be recognised by the new grille with a colour coded top edge. The existing striping made way for a wide Turbo badge under the side mouldings and the car had completely different alloy wheels with a spoke design. The Fuego dashboard was carried through to the entire 18 range, but the Turbo already had it.