Renault 5 Turbo 1981
General description :
An early R5 Turbo, with just 45k miles.
MODEL HISTORY
The Renault 5 Turbo was a high-performance hatchback launched by the French manufacturer at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1980.
Seven years after winning the World Rally Championship in 1973, Renault introduced the new R5 Turbo as a pure homologation special to compete in Group 3 and 4 racing and international rally competition. In response to Lancia's rallying success with the mid-engined Stratos, Renault's Jean Terramorsi, vice-president of production, asked Bertone's Marc Deschamps to design a new sports version of the Renault 5 Alpine supermini. The distinctive new rear bodywork was styled by Marcello Gandini at Bertone. Although the standard Renault 5 had a front-mounted engine, the 5 Turbo featured a mid-mounted 1397cc Cléon-Fonte turbocharged engine placed behind the driver mid-body, in a modified Renault 5 chassis. In standard form, the engine developed 158hp and 163 lb ft of torque.
Though it used a modified body from a standard Renault 5 and was badged a Renault 5, the mechanicals were radically different, the most obvious difference being rear-wheel drive and the mid-engine placement. At the time of its launch it was the most powerful production French car. Renault's initial plan was to produce just 400 road-going examples, the minimum needed for homologation purposes. When the car was revealed to the public at the 1980 Brussels Motor Show, however, Renault was surprised to see the level of customer interest in its narrowly-focused race car for the street.
In the car's first three production years, the Dieppe, France, Alpine factory produced 1,690 R5 Turbos, though it isn't clear how many examples wound up wearing registration plates instead of competition numbers. Official documentation from Renault states that 802 ‘Turbo 1s' were built in 1980, 536 in 1981, and a further 352 were built in 1982.
Equipment
Numbered plaque (No. 869), Front fog lights, Renault 5 Alpine steering wheel, Ashtray, Cigarette lighter, Lockable glove compartment.
EXTERIOR
The audacious exterior of this rare eighties super-hatch is finished in bright red with the correctly contrasting bumpers. The bodywork remains to a very presentable standard with the satin trim appearing as new throughout. Manufactured in early 1981 this R5 is number 869 of less than 1,700 ‘Turbo 1s' produced over just three years.
INTERIOR
The Bertone-styled cabin remains in very good order. The seats present extremely well with minimal signs of use, and the carpets throughout are brand new. The dash and fascia are also in great condition and present with a marvelous original finish. The door cards, steering wheel, and gearshift gaiter are not the factory standard although correct items are still manufactured by a specialist company in France.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The centrally mounted 1397cc unit in the Turbo was derived from the Renault 5 Alpine hot hatch, known as the Gordini in the UK. Using a modified Lancia Stratos as a testbed, Renault began work on increasing the engine's output from a normally aspirated 93hp to a turbocharged 158hp; the result is what you see here.
Neatly enclosed behind the front seats and hidden away by the freshly carpeted panels the engine itself appears in fine order and was most recently serviced in August 2015 at 72,344km.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
The Turbo sits on original alloys in grey. They each present extremely well with absolutely no curb marking or milking beneath the lacquer to speak of. They are shod in a matching set of period Michelin TRX tyres with plenty of tread remaining.
HISTORY FILE
The Renault was first registered on 20th July 1981. It was imported into the UK from Switzerland in 2015 and has since been MOT'd and UK registered. Present in the history file are the V5C and MOT certificate, plus maintenance records dating from 1998. The service history is as follows:
15/09/1998 at 53,075km19/09/1999 at 57,402km09/04/2011 at 70,424km19/05/2012 at 71,022km08/06/2013 at 71,688km06/06/2014 at 72,163km13/08/2015 at 72,344km
http://www.4starclassics.com/renault-5-turbo-for-sale-2/
1981 Renault 5 Turbo is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Kingsley by 4 Star Classics for £74995.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Renault Model : 5 Model Version : Turbo Engine size : 1.4 Model Year : 1981 Sub type : Pick up Location : Hampshire
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About Renault
Ah, Renault, a name that's as French as a croissant and as ingrained in automotive history as a baguette in a Parisian café. Let's take a leisurely drive through the annals of this storied manufacturer, shall we?Our story begins in the late 19th century when the Renault brothers, Louis, Marcel, and Fernand, decided to put their inventive minds to work. In 1898, they introduced their very first car, the Renault Voiturette. It was a petite, rear-engined contraption that looked like something Jules Verne might have designed. This pint-sized pioneer laid the foundation for Renault's automotive legacy.
Now, if we're talking about influential Renault models, we mustn't overlook the Renault 4. Launched in 1961, it was the French answer to the Volkswagen Beetle. The Renault 4 was practical, versatile, and designed to handle the rough and tumble of rural France. It was as much at home in the city as it was on a farm, a true embodiment of French pragmatism.
But let's not forget the Renault 5, or "Le Supercinq" as it was known in France. Introduced in the mid-'70s, this little hatchback was a design sensation. Its quirky, angular lines and cheeky personality made it an instant hit. It was economical, fun to drive, and became an icon of French urban life.
Then came the Renault Espace in 1984. It was one of the pioneers of the MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) segment. The Espace was designed for families who wanted the practicality of a van without sacrificing the comfort of a car. It was the beginning of a new era in family transport.
And let's not forget the Renault Twingo, introduced in 1992. It was a small city car that broke the mold with its innovative design and rear-engine layout. The Twingo was proof that small cars could be stylish and practical, and it was a hit with urban dwellers across Europe.
Now, if you want to talk about a true game-changer, it's the Renault Clio. First introduced in 1990, the Clio became a European favorite. It combined style, performance, and affordability in a way that few cars could match. It's the kind of car that's as comfortable on the Champs-Élysées as it is navigating the narrow streets of a French village.
But, of course, we can't forget the Renault Megane. It's been a stalwart of the compact car segment since its debut in 1995. With its distinctive rear-end design and a range of engines to suit every taste, the Megane has remained a strong contender in a competitive market.
So there you have it, a leisurely tour through the history of Renault, a company that has always managed to infuse a touch of French flair into the automotive world. Renault has given us cars that are as diverse as the French countryside itself, from practical workhorses to stylish city slickers. It's a brand that's as much a part of France's cultural tapestry as a bottle of Bordeaux or a game of pétanque. Vive la Renault!