there were remote key fobs in the early 1980s, and they required no ridiculous antennae. And the first car to feature such an innovation was one I’d not expected, and this realization affected me so much that I’m writing about it right now.
The car was the 1983 Renault Fuego (starting in late 1982), and the innovation was remote locking.
A new saloon with the mechanics of Renault 18
When designing a coupé, carmakers either come up with a totally new car or build on an existing model. Since Caravelle and Renault 15 and 17, Renault has chosen the middle way with brand new bodies based on a single saloon platform.
Launched in 1980, Fuego obeyed that logic: the base model came from Renault 18, while the style of its lines, reinforced by a black strip that merged into a large rounded rear, was totally new.
A bold car with many special features
It bore the signature of designer Robert Opron and struck a good balance between comfort, roominess and sports-car feel. It was available with several engine sizes, from the 1.4 litre TL versions to the 2 litre GTX models.
Another special feature of the Fuego was its name, breaking with the practice of naming cars by number that began in 1961 with Renault 4. It reflected a car with temperament, particularly in evidence in the turbocharged version released in September 1983.
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.[5] The suspension design would later be added to the facelifted Renault 18, and later, with minor refinements (larger bushings etcetera), the Renault 25. Power steering available at the higher end of the range.[5] 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 1986 in Spain, while Renault Argentina produced the Fuego from 1982 until ending production in 1992 with the 2.2 L “GTA Max” (the final phase III facelift introduced in 1990).
The Fuego was the first mass-produced four-seat sports model to be designed in a wind tunnel,[6][dubious – discuss] resulting in a drag coefficient (Cd) factor ranging from 0.32 to 0.35. In October 1982, the turbocharged diesel Fuego became the fastest diesel car in the world, with a top speed of 180 km/h (110 mph).[7]
The Fuego was the first car to have a remote keyless system with central locking, available from September 1982[8][dubious – discuss] using a system invented by Frenchman Paul Lipschutz — marketed as the “PLIP” remote in Europe). The Fuego was also the first to have remote steering wheel-mounted controls for the audio system (European LHD GTX and Turbo from September 1983).[9] This feature was subsequently popularised on the 1984 model Renault 25. The Fuego was also available with options including leather upholstery, multi-function trip computer, cruise control, air-conditioning (factory or dealer-installed), and a full-length Webasto electric fabric sunroof.
A convertible version trimmed with a leather interior was unveiled by the French coachbuilder Heuliez in 1982 aimed at the U.S. market, but wasn’t produced[10] due to lower than expected sales in the American market – the R11/Alliance convertible taking its place. Three examples were built and finished to American specification (sealed beam headlights, enlarged bumpers, etc.).
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