He Paris Motor Showthe oldest in the world, opened its doors this week, in an edition marked by electromobility and the invasion of Chinese brands to Europe.
As in every event of this type, the novelties, launches and prototypes are usually the main attractions of the exhibition and are the ones that attract the main attention of the public. However, there are some unexpected gems that come as a shock.
In this 2024 edition, that place is occupied by a yellow Renault Fuego what heads a special display of 25 vehicles and that promises a trip to the past with a lot of action and melancholy.
The exhibition Movie Cars Central It is a selection of vehicles from different films and series in history where the automobile has a prominent appearance. From Batman a Back to the Futurepassing through the Dukes de HazzardFast and Furious and James Bond.
Although the Fuego exhibited is not a copy manufactured in Argentina, its relationship with the local industry was somewhat reminiscent of the edition of this same exhibition in which a Torino was exhibited, in 2018.
A movie fire
While Renault proudly showed the new generation of the Renault 4 and the prototype that previews the future Twingo, which will be released in 2026, in another part of the
Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition center, another model of the rhombus brand attracted attention.
A yellow Fuego coupe commands the special exhibition dedicated to cinema and television series that is shown in the French capital. His presence there is justified by the film But who killed Pamela Rose?a comedy from French cinema, from 2003.
It is a copy of which it is not clear what year it was produced but it has a peculiarity that was not known in the units that were manufactured in Argentina: a sliding canvas roof that reached to the rear seats. It was clarified that it has the least powerful gasoline engine of those sold in Europe: the 1.4-liter 64 horsepower.
The Renault Fuego was not as successful in Europe as it was in Argentina.Originally presented at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show, the Fuego found rapid success for its futuristic shapes. In fact, it became the best-selling coupe in the Old Continent during 1981. However, its good commercial performance did not last as long as it was thought.
Despite having achieved a very striking car, Renault I had no experience with sports models of that size (it used the same platform as the R18) and had to face vehicles from BMW or Alfa Romeo, with much more tradition in that category.
The story in Argentina was very different. Manufactured at the Santa Isabel plant, the Fuego was always associated with speed and sporty handling: its absolutely disruptive image and victories in motorsports, at the hands of Juan María Traverso and its unbeatable time in the TC2000, made it a desired and revered coupe.
Juan Maria Traverso, winning the TC2000 with his Renault Fuego, in 1988.The Renault Fuego began to be imported into our country in 1981, knowing from the parent company that Argentina is an iron country and that there is a particular taste for sports cars. The results would prove that they were not wrong. La Fuego was very well accepted and In 1982 production began at the Santa Isabel plant in Córdoba.
In 1992 Renault Argentina ceased production of the Fuego coupe, after manufacturing 19,952 units over a glorious decade. 265,257 were produced worldwide.
From the Batmobile to Fast and Furious
The sample Movie Cars Central is integrated by models and specimens that had starring roles in different films and series of all time around the world.
Toyota Supra from Fast and Furious. Photo: Instagram @moviecarsAmong the series, models such as the Ferrari 308 GTS stand out. Magnumthe Dodge Charger of the Dukes de Hazzardknown as General Lee; the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, The Fantastic Carthe Ford Gran Torino Starky y Hutch, and the white Ferrari Testarossa Miami Vice.
Three copies of the saga appear from the world of cinema James Bondthe BMW Z3 and Series 7 and the Aston Martin DBS; a Batmobile (1989) and the Toyota Supra of Brian O’ Conner’s character and the Dodge Charger R/T of his partner Dominic Toretto from Fast and Furious.
Also on display are the Volkswagen Beetle. Motorized Cupidthe Ford Mustang Mach 1 John Wick 2the Jeep Wrangler Jurassic Parka DeLorean MC-12 by back to the future and the Chevrolet Camaro Transformersamong others.
The stand also has a merchandise store with books related to the world of cinema and scale models of the cars that are exhibited there.
