I'm baaaaaack!!!!!!!!

HARRY DRESDEN RULES!!!

 

Keep calm and FUEGO!

 

Heh...actually the Euro version of the Fuego was a pretty hot little number. Renault didn't send us the turbo with the upgraded suspension until we learned to hate the anemic US-only spec, hamster powered secretary special with the marshmallows for springs and Flintstone brakes. In France you could buy one with a 16 valve head and intercooled turbo with Bosch Jetronic SEFI. Also the suspension on the hot version was upgraded with ####pit adjustable struts up front and multilink independent rear, as well as 4-wheel ventilated discs with ABS. They won a couple of world rally cup championships with that car. Too bad the GTO (GranTourismo Omologato, or Grand Touring Homologation special) was a limited production model sold only in Europe as a road going version of their rally car which had to have at least 500 copies available to the public so they could race in that highly competitive and prestigious class.

They beat Mitsubishi. And Audi (once). But the special couldn't pass American bumper test standards and Renault wouldn't put the giant rubber blocks on the car to make it compliant (it was very light weight and had different bumpers than the regular model).

I believe the Renault Owner's Club can source a kit to put the high flow head, turbo cartridge, intercooler, plumbing, associated gaskets/pistons/rods/etc, and computer along with the suspension pieces to create your own rally spec car, but by then you might as well buy used Corvette--it's cheaper.

I drove an Alliance GTA for a while, had the 16 valve motor and upgraded suspension--very fun little car. Except you could hear it rust if you listened.

(I'm a sports car guy).

 

Actually I believe I was thinking about the Encore not the Fuego. Whole different car. Never mind.

 

You are correct; zero chance of passing US emissions so euro only. It was blindingly fast but a great hairy beast to drive (terminal understeer to snap oversteer with no transition).

IMO the hottest Renaults ever were the Alpines, better overall balance of handling/power/speed. Plus they were beautiful. But again, not available to us mere Americans.

 

I suppose technically the Alpine wasn't really a Renault. For some reason the link won't load but if you look up Renault Alpine on Wikipedia you'll see some pics and a decent history of that car from the late 80's to mid 90's. I think you can see some footage on YouTube also. Hot machines. I've seen one in NC, graymarket car from the late 80's--that thing was fast.