Performance Review: Renault Fuego 1.6 Turbo - [1980]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Renault Fuego Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Renault Fuego 1.6 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1980. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo and the 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937.This particular Renault Fuego has a 1565cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Fuego shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Fuego's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1050 kgs (2314 lbs) this makes the Renault Fuego 1.6 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Renault Fuego shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1565cc 8V St4 engine produces 132 bhp (98 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 147 lb-ft (199.3 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Renault Fuego you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1985 Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 (150.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Renault Fuego.

The Renault Fuego has a Power to weight ratio of 125.7 bhp per ton and 140.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1980 Fuego competing with the 1985 Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 (150.7 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 (150.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Renault Fuego generating around 140.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1976 Ferrari 400 GTS (165.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Audi TT 3.2 V6 Quattro S-Line (165.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.2 secs, this made the Renault Fuego 1.6 Turbo as fast as the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the or the 1990 Alfa-Romeo 33 1.7 Boxer Cloverleaf (8.90 secs). This Renault Fuego 1.6 Turbo is also faster than the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the and the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Fuego and the 1999 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Renault Fuego on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.11 secs @ 84.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro (16.04 secs), the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (16.06 secs), and the 1989 Jaguar XJ R-S 6.0 V12 (16.06 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1980 version of the Renault Fuego 1.6 Turbo has a maximum speed of 120mph.

Top Speed of the 1980 Fuego equals the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1980 Renault Fuego 1.6 Turbo then how about the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (131 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (131 mph).

Related Links:

1980 Fuego Rivals List.

A Brief History of Renault

Car Comparison