Renault 18 : 1978 - 1979 - 1980 - 1981 - 1982 - 1983 - 1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 to 1994
Renault 18 in the UK: 1979 - 1980 - 1981 - 1982 - 1983 - 1984 - 1985 - 1986

Renault 14 (1976-1983)
1976
January '76: the Renault 14 is presented to the press, and in may the production initiates. Two models, with the same 1 218 cc engine, but different equipments. For that year, some 58,000 R14 are made in France, according to official statistics.
 

Model	Displacement	Power
L	1 218 cm3	57 hp DIN
TL	1 218 cm3	57 hp DIN

Some 2,029,000 R18 made in total.
 

The History of the Renault 18 in the UK (thanks to Joseph Mullin who wrote this report)

The Renault 18 was introduced in the UK in February 1979 and succeeded the long-running Renaults 12 and 16, which had been in production since 1969 and 1965, respectively.

1979
At the introduction, the 18 had a choice of two engines: a 64 HP 1.4-litre unit for the TL and GTL models (which was based on the 55 HP 1.3-litre unit from the R12 L, TL, TR and TS) or a 79 HP 1.6-litre unit for the TS and GTS models (this 1.6-litre engine was the same as the one fitted to the R17 TS Coupe, but the power ouput for that model was around 90 HP).
The TL, GTL and TS had a four-speed gearbox while the GTS had a five-speed gearbox. A three-speed automatic gearbox was optional on the TS and GTS, and a five-speed gearbox on the TL, GTL and TS.
All the R18s were very well equipped, with reclining front seats, full carpeting, cigar lighter, locking fuel filler cap, large boot and soft French suspension. The TS added front seat head rests (optional on the TL), different wheels, and a map reading light. The GTL and GTS added velvet upholstery, black bodyside mouldings, exterior brightwork, larger front door arm rests, rubber pads on the bumpers, a digital clock, and tinted glass. The GTS added electric windows, central locking and headlamp wash/wipe - these items being optional on the GTL.
In September 1979, the TL and TS Estate models arrived in the UK with very much the same specification as the saloons. The rear seats could be folded down to make more load carrying space, and the uprated rear suspension coped with the heavier loads being packed into the car.

1980
In February 1980, the 18 LS Estate arrived in the UK and had the same mechanicals as the 18 TS but the equipment of the 18 TL.
In July 1980, the 18 Automatic came to the UK and featured the 79 HP 1.6-litre engine of the 18 TS and GTS models and (of course) the three-speed electronic automatic gearbox. It had the same equipment as the 18 GTL. Like in the GTL, electric windows and central locking were only optional.
In October 1980, the 66 HP 2.1-litre Diesel engine became available in the 18 range, and was fitted to the 18 TD and GTD models. Because the diesel engine was no doubt, heavier than the petrol one, the negative off set suspension from the R30 TS and TX was fitted, along with the larger four stud wheel rims. The 18 TD (which had the four-speed gearbox) came as either a Saloon or an Estate with the same equipment as the 18 TS, while the more luxurious 18 GTD came only as a Saloon with the five-speed gearbox and the
equipment of the 18 GTS.

1981
In January 1981, the 18 Turbo joined the range. This new model was only sold in the UK as a four-door Saloon, and had the smaller 1.6-litre engine (the 1565cc unit that was introduced in the Renault 16 TS in March 1968 - in the R18 Turbo, this engine got the Garret Turbo from the R5 Gordini and Alpine Turbo models, so the power was raised from 90 to 110 HP), as well as the five-speed gearbox, negative off set suspension, power-assisted steering, larger four-stud wheel rims, and disc brakes on all four wheels. Outside, the 18 Turbo ressembled the 18 GTS, but with chrome alloy wheels from the Fuego GTX, 12 inch "Turbo" graphics along the bottom of the doors, a dark grey rubber rear spoiler with additional fins that ran down the outside edge of the tail lights, and a plastic skirt spoiler below the front bumper. Inside, the dashboard from the Fuego was used, which had a hieght-adjustable steering column, four spoke steering wheel, Jaeger instrument panel (with oil pressure gauge and rev counter), petal seats, two tone door trim, and a leather gear knob - all this made the 18 Turbo very elegent and I think it was supposed to give you the impression that the car was a R18 outside and a Fuego inside. Options (to my knowledged) included: rear seat belts (two with three points, one with two points), electric windows all-round, and air conditioning.
In May 1981, limited edition 18 "Soleil" models were released in the UK and featured the equipment of the 18 TS, which was improved by alloy wheels, improved trim and a glass sunroof. In September 1981, the 18 GTL and Automatic Estates arrived in the UK. This was also the time when the 18s in the UK were given a number of updates, with transparent front indicator lenses, dark grey polyester bumpers and door handles, electronic ignition, as well as a new carburetor. The 18 GTL, TS and TD Saloons and TL, GTL and TD Estates became fitted with the five-speed gearbox (the 18 GTL got the five-speed gearbox with the higher final drive ratio). The 1.6-litre engine also became standard in the 18 GTL, but the output was reduced from 79 to 73 HP. Also, the 18 TS, GTS and Automatic got the engine power raised from 79 to 96 HP.
In December 1981, the 18 TX and GTX Saloons and GTX Estate arrived in the UK and had the 104 HP 2-litre engine (which was introduced in the R20 TS in 1977), five-speed gearbox, power-assisted steering, negative off set suspension, better sound insulation. With that powerful 104 HP engine, the 18 was a good car for long journeys at high speed. The TX was equipped in much the same way as the TS, while the GTX was equipped in much the same way as the Turbo, but additionally with (on the Saloon) a cruise control and (on
the Estate) variable-rate rear suspension.

1982
From September 1982, the 18 got larger four-stud wheel rims, negative off-set suspension, front air dam and (on the Saloons) a rear spoiler - all as standard. The GTX and Turbo got remote central locking, and the Turbo got the engine power raised from 110 to a much more respectable 125 HP.

1983
In April 1983, Renault released a limited edition 18 American. Only 1,500 of these cars were sold in the UK. It was a four-door saloon with the 96 HP 1.6-litre engine, alloy wheels, two tone navy and grey paintwork and much the same equipment as the 18 GTL.

1984
In April 1984, it was decided that the 18 should get a face-lift as Renault thought it was getting old-fashioned looking. It was renamed the R18 Mark 2 and was given a new front grille (the same kind that was also fitted to the R25), thick grey bodyside mouldings, new style wheels, the Fuego dashboard, new steering wheel (not on the 18 Turbo), as well as improved upholstery and a digital clock. All the R18 Saloons got the same rear spoiler as on the R18 Turbo.
The standard R18 range between April 1984 and July 1985 consisted of:
- R18 TS and GTS Saloons and GTL Estate (all with the 96 HP 1.6-litre engine)
- R18 Automatic Saloon and GTX Estate (both with the the 110 HP 2-Litre engine)
-  R18 Turbo Saloon (with 125 HP 1.6-litre engine), and R18 TD Saloon
and Estate (both with the 68 HP 2.1-litre Diesel engine).
All the manual models had the five-speed gearbox, while the 18 Automatic had the three-speed automatic gearbox.

1985
In March 1985, limited edition 18 TS Special and GTS Special Saloons were released in the UK. I don't know anything about these - does anyone ? In July 1985, the R18 "Deauville" range arrived in the UK and featured new wheel trims (the same as in the R5, R9, R11 and R21), black bodyside mouldings, exterior brightwork, and a glass sunroof. The Deauville range consisted of: R18 TS, GTS and GTD Saloons and GTL and GTD Estates - all with the same mechanicals as the standard versions.

1986
The last R18s were sold off in the UK in mid-1986, when the R21 arrived.
 
 

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