Renault · 1980–1992

Renault Fuego

The Renault Fuego (Fire in Spanish) is a sports hatchback 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 assembled in Maubeuge, France, from February 1980 until October 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 U.S. in 1982, a year before its launch in France.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Renault 15/17

All Renault Fuego data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Design

The Fuego's exterior was styled by Michel Jardin and the interior by Francois Lampreia, both working under the direction of Robert Opron. The coupé'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 coupé 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 until 1986 in Spain, while Renault Argentina produced the Fuego from 1982 until 1992, ending production with the 2.2 L "GTA Max" (the final phase III facelift introduced in 1990). In Argentina, it reached 63% of 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 1982, the turbocharged diesel Fuego was declared the fastest productio

Marketing

=== Europe === The Fuego became the best-selling coupé in Europe from 1980 through 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 the differences varied by country. This model omitted alloy wheels, electric windows, central locking, air conditioning, fog lights, headlight wipers, etc., depending on the market. A manual-only 2.1 L turbo-diesel was also produced for LHD European markets during 1982–1985. This model was distinguished by the "bulge" at 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 introduced 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 wide range of customised options available on 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). United States. 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 4,358 to 4,540 m

Timeline

February 1980 - Introduction of the Fuego three-door coupé. Available as TL with a 1397 cc engine (rated at 64 PS (47 kW; 63 hp), with manual choke), "GTL" with a lower power output (economy tuned) 1647 cc engine, and GTS with the regular 1647 cc engine (rated at 96 PS (71 kW; 95 hp), with automatic choke), with a four-speed manual gearbox on the TL and GTL, five-speed manual or three-speed automatic gearbox on the GTS. The TL has a basic equipment level with 155 SRx13 tyres, a heated rear window, a rear fog light, a split-fold rear seat, and cloth upholstery. The GTL adds 175/70x13 tyres, electric front windows, tachometer, height-adjustable steering wheel, front head restraints, analogue clock, wheel covers, remote-adjustable driver's door mirror, laminated windscreen, opening rear quarter windows, H4 headlights, pre-installed radio kit, and velour upholstery. The GTS adds an engine oil-level gauge, power-assisted steering, and an optional three-speed automatic transmission. 185/65xHR14 light alloy wheels are optional. 1981 - Fuel reserve warning light standard on all models, the four- and five-speed manuals were modified and some had their ratios adjusted. Introduction of the TX and GTX with 1995 cc engine (rated at 110 PS or 81 kW or 108 hp) and five-speed manual gearbox. The TX has the same specification as the GTS, except for series mounted 14-inches wheels though equipped with steel rims rather than alloy, with the GTX gaining front fog lights, headlamp wash-wipe, 14-inch alloy wheels (185/65xHR14 tires), leather on the steering wheel rim, gear lever gaiter, and handbrake lever gaiter, as well as a digital clock, optional passenger side door mirror, bronze tinted windows, luggage cover, and airhorn. The optional three-speed automatic transmission now available on

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Renault Fuego
Manufacturer: Renault
Production: February 1980–1986 (Europe), 1982–1992 (South America)
Assembly: France: Boulogne-Billancourt (RSAS: 1980–1985), France: Maubeuge (MCA: 1979–1985), Argentina: Santa Isabel (Renault Argentina: 1982–1992), Argentina: Buenos Aires (Renault Argentina: 1983–1992), Chile: Los Andes (Automotores Franco Chilena), Spain: Palencia (RESA:1980–1986), Venezuela: Mariara (1983–1988)
Class: Sport compact
Body style: 3-door liftback
Layout: FF layout
Engine: 1,397 cc I4, 1,565 cc A5L turbo I4, 1,647 cc type 841/843/A2M I4, 1,995 cc type 829/J6R I4, 2,165 cc J7T I4, 2,068 cc J8S td I4
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 2443 mm
Length: 4358 mm
Width: 1692 mm
Height: 1315 mm
Predecessor: Renault 15 and 17
Successor: Renault GTA (USA)
Related: Renault 18
Designer: Michel Jardin, Francois Lampreia, and Robert Opron

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1333796CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_FuegoCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1373731858 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Renault_Fuego_France.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Charles01 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.