A Renault Fuego rally raid 4×4, we can’t say that we see them often. But on this edition of the pioneers 2023, the crew composed of the driver Corentin Camilleri and his co-driver Philippe Ponce answered the call. The two friends are not novices in rallying. But I admit to having been pleasantly surprised to discover their Fuego 4×4.
Fuego 4×4 rally
The Fuego is a vehicle that we love to hate or hate to love. Produced since 1980, this 4-seater coupe with an original design from the 80’s (ah this long black stripe that runs the entire length of the car). It is built on the basis of an R18 estate with an R 20 front axle, despite a sporty appearance it is however lacking in a light engine for the entry level (64 hp for the TL/GTL, 88 in Turbo D, 96 in GTS, 110 in TX GTX and finally more power on the Turbo with 132), for a bigger engine you had to get out the checkbook, maybe a little too much… On the rally side, a Fuego 4×4 dragged its tires a little on the Dakar rally in the early 80s and on the Atlas rally with Georges Houel at the wheel.
Originally, this Renault rally raid is a Fuego Turbo model from 1983.
To transform the Fuego into a 4×4, you “just” have to find a base of R18 4×4 station wagon, in fact the manufacturer had created an all-wheel drive for this station wagon. This rigid axle is also found on Traffic. Note that the protection plate is original, however straps have been fitted so as not to tear off a shock absorber during rebound. You can drive in traction mode or in 4×4 by engaging the rear axle. Then fit it under the Fuego, modifying the gearbox tunnel in the process. The gearbox in question is a 5-speed and comes from the R18 organ donor.
the Renault Fuego 4×4 with an inimitable look on Moroccan tracks
The bodywork is original but the wheel arches still had to be recut to give free rein to the big tires.
Fuego 4×4
For the engine, he bought an Renault 25 from which he took the 2.2 l engine which develops 130 hp originally.
The Fuego rally is equipped with a 2.2l R25 engine
Corentin searched through all the existing kits in order to put the shortest ratios he could find, but according to him, even like that, it pulls long and the first remains long and it is difficult to maintain the second on soft ground.
Suspension-wise, the Fuego has Koni at the front and custom Viarouge at the rear.
The tank is in the rear trunk. It is a model from the navy and it is equipped with a valve to prevent any fuel leakage in the event of a rollover. It contains 80 l, which gives about 500 km of autonomy and an aluminum box is there to protect it.
Corentin made a safety cage in 25CD4S, a resistant steel, which he himself bent and welded with MIG. Bucket seats and harnesses complete the safety equipment as well as an automatic fire extinguisher with nozzles and of course the general circuit breaker. To fix it inside, it will be necessary to provide all the anchors, it represented hours of work.
The dashboard is homemade but it has a nice instrumentation that is enough to monitor the main engine parameters and vital functions:
- water temperature
- tachometer
- speed
- tank gauge
- oil pressure
- fuel pressure
- warning lights
- fuses accessible inside
- circuit breaker
- automatic fire extinguisher
- terra trip
- Stella for racing
The rims come from OZ Racing and the tires mounted on them are Goodyear Wrangler ATR
Corentin tells us about the Pionniers Classic rally
I had already participated in several old editions. Here, on this new version it is clearly different, the tracks are more difficult. If I come back it will be with another vehicle. It was hard for the car which suffered a lot, I will really have a lot of work for the revision. And for the moment I do not have time to take care of it. But I took advantage of friends, I had a good time. It is a car that came back to less than €10,000, I did everything myself. And this price includes the purchase of 2 R25s, the Fuego turbo and the R18 4×4 estate.
Other articles on the rally raid
Finally, we end this report with a photo gallery during the Rally Pionniers Classic 2023.
