Welcome back to Forgotten Sporty Cars at The Garage! In this space we recall an era where small, economy car-based based vehicles were sold with zippy styling. Whether there was any substance to the sizzle we’ll leave for you to judge.
1982-1985 Renault Fuego
We’re on a roll with Renaults, but after TG’s last look at the GTA and today’s Fuego, it is a short run. While the GTA was built in America as a limited edition, higher performance Alliance, the Fuego took a different route. Made in France, based on the 18i sedan (sold in N.A. from ’81-’82) and 18i Sportwagon (sold from ’81-’86), the Fuego had a body all its own.
And it was hard not to mistake the Fuego for a French car. Designer Robert Opron penned the Maserati-powered Citroen SM, as well as other Citroens. From ’82-’83, buyers here had a choice of turbo or non-turbo 1.6 liter four cylinder engines. The Fuego Turbo boasted all of 107hp, good for a 0-60mph time of 10 seconds, with a top end of 110mph. At least the aerodynamic body allowed for good fuel economy. In 1984, the 1.6 liter was replaced by a 2.2 liter four.ÂÂ
In other markets, the Fuego lived a long, successful life. But alas, in North America we had just a glimpse of the Fuego. So, what went wrong? Everything. The appeal of owning a sporty, turbocharged Renault in a relatively affordable package in the early 1980’s held enormous appeal to Formula 1 racing fans, but in the US that was a very small number of people. Worse, the Fuego was being sold by people accustomed to peddling AMC Concords and Jeep CJ-7’s. The same applies for the people at AMC dealers who had to service the cars. Ill-equipped and ill-prepared, the dealers and mechanics didn’t have a chance. ÂÂ
Almost everything I have read on the Fuego makes these cars out to be real dogs. In fact, while underpowered, they were well built (except electrical) sophisticated and are a lot of fun to drive. I own two turbos and parted one out that was left outside for years. The electricals are a mess but easily fixed. I think they are better than people think because they were made in France and I think they went over board on the rust protection and to try to beat a long poor reputation. Major point to say there were not AMC built who was having labor issues. They are certainly unique and very comfortable. Any production numbers?
I always thought they were an attractive enough car. Your comment about over doing the rust proofing is interesting: they must have forgotten to rust proof the cars that came to Ontario, because they rusted like crazy.
Hey Tom,
thank you very much for sharing this piece of history.
The Renault Fuego was heavily based on the Renault 18, sharing its floorpan and drivetrain. Later car was facelifted.
The Fuego wraps up all of that in a sleek, lovably unique package. I like the aerodynamic lines and French comfort.
Here is short YT video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZN1bO9frOM&
On the rust comment one car I parted was from Ontario. I think that only Fuegos were coated heavily so it was very much NOT like Renualt. The frame was bad but all body parts solid but it sat under a tree in Coburg ON for years. When we took the doors and fenders off that two tone paint scheme was actually a thick undercoating. In fact the front fenders were perfect and glued to the car with undercoating.
Yes, that’s like the one I drove in an autocross years ago. A dealer showed up in one and offered to let people test drive it in the autocross. Fortunately, I was first in line because given the *extreme* roll in turns it wasn’t very long until the front tires were gone. It was terrible, I could probably get around the course faster in my Explorer.
You do have to give Renault credit for trying…with it’s sporty French styling it was unique in the marketplace. You could make a case for this if you wanted something economical but different. Would have been interesting to see what happened if they had deiced to continue development.
And, lucky Canadians, they got this as well as the first years of the VW GTI. Yes, there were GTIs available in Canada a couple of years before the states. That, Tom, would make an interesting topic for a post.
-Jeff
DrivingEnthusiast.net
I had to add when I SAID FUN I did not mean good. My fuegos are really different and once you get use to the body roll (and that takes a lot)they are comfortable and are so different in every way. That is why I have two turbos one driver one with less than 10.000 miles.
in the US they where underpowered..the european versions were different, more stabile and the 2.0 european engine was much faster than the US version because of your emisionrules… The fuego feel at home at the french country and mountainroads where you can drive fast with your heart without being scared for the police to catch you, like in america.. Also the strange american safetyregulations made the US fuego ugly with the strange american headlights and the ugly bumpers……
Greetings from france…..
Hi living in ireland have a 1984 renault fuego turbo fold back roof 1 owner 120.000 miles right hand drive just want to know value if any body knows cheers
I bought a navy blue Fuego in 1982 from an AMC dealer in Illinois. This car was a European version as it had the more rounded hatchback. The headlights were the bright halogen european type and oncoming traffic would "flash" their brights at me when I was in the regular headlight mode. When I went to high beams they kept on flashing at me. there was an intermittement setting where both sets of bulbs would be lit and I could see for miles in front of me. 🙂 The car did have some quirks – one being the "neutral safety switch", where the car would not start even in Park Mode. I would need to put it in neutral and roll a few feet then the engine would turn on. I did not experience the electrical issues many people have posted. The car was a great looker and there weren't that many around. I traded it in 1986 with + 100k miles for a 1986 Toyota Celica. The salesman really wanted my Fuego and it was pretty much an even trade.
I had two of them. A gold(as above) 83 model and a silver 82 model. Both 2.0 litre GTX versions I nearly bought a white one with greyish interior as well and still regret I didn't. The design is so elegant and euro chic. The interior is a work of art and the seats are so comfortable. Performance is very good just watch for the back end stepping out if you brake through the corner as the back discs and lighter rear of the car are not such a good combination. Used to love watching my friends try to find the door handle. How do I get in??? Was funny.
a few mistakes on your story the fuego turbo was 130 bhp–0-60 was 9 secs and top speed was 124 mph
I had bought one new in 83 and picked it up during a blizzard with a 55 mile drive home. I was amazed how much snow i went through, although my twin electric radiator fans sheared off at hubs due to the snow pushed into them by the time I got home. It had a very clean black paint job with grey interior and loved those seats. I really enjoyed it and it was plagued with electrical oddity problems. I bought a used 85 and was not impressed with newer style interior dash, which seemed to have even more electical issues. Was a lot of fun and unique in many ways and with the 5 speed stick it performed more than adaquate for the average driver.
I now own a 86 Fuego Turbo and my dad used to own a 84 turbo. I am in NZ and both are NZ new. His is NZ/Aus spec and mine is a UK spec model. I love these cars. So comfortable, good power, real good economy, different, and mostly reliable. Wind the Turbo boost up to 15psi and they really come alive. Bought mine for $955 NZD. Can't buy any other 80 turbo car for that.
please someone tell me how to open the liftgate on an1982 fuego new girls car?
Open the drivers door. Look in the door jamb. There is a black plastic handle in there you pull out to open the hatch. I have a 1982 Fuego !!
I drove and collected turbo feugos from 1985 to 1995 still have about 6 sitting out in the backyard. Sad to see them rusting away.
Planned to transplant powertrain into Lotus Europa, but Fuego was fun and functional with fold down seats and Hatchback.
Anybody needing parts, they are just East of Toronto Canada.
Hey Bob,
How can I contact you ?
Hey Bob,
How can I contact you about parts??