Used Renault 5

The Renault 5 is currently perceived as an icon by car aficionados all over, but if there is one particular model that epitomizes the prestige of an icon, then it would definitely be the Renault 5 Turbo. Born in 1980 during the pre Audi Quattro era, the Renault 5 Turbo stormed into the market, and quickly gained the strong reputation of being one of the “maddest and baddest” hot hatchbacks ever. Before its release, it was Lancia’s Stratos that reigned supreme in the World Rally Championship, and was on its way to winning its 3rd consecutive title. Before the arrival of the Stratos, it was the Alpine A110 that collected titles in that rally. Now, Renault was seeking revenge, and this led to VP Jean Terramorsi instructing the development of a new model that could rival the Stratos, which was Ferrari-engined as well. The result is the Renault 5 Turbo. Terramorsi wanted to keep production costs down so he instructed for the new model to be based on an existing one. It should just be made smaller, lighter, and nimbler, with minor adjustments made so that the car could go from ordinary roads onto the full rally specs. Bertone’s Marc Deschamps came up with a radical version of the supermini from the used Renault 5 series; this time, the engine is mounted at the center, and no longer at the front. The concept car was also given rear-wheel-drive capabilities, instead of the old front-wheel ones. The project was approved and went on into production. Originally, it was planned to build the Turbo around a spaceframe chassis. This was deemed too complicated and costly so in its place was a hole cut into the rear floor of the car’s monocoque and then a tubular frame was developed to provide support to the engine and its transmission. Many engines were considered for the Renault 5 Turbo as well. In spite the fact that the Alpine A110’s 1.6-litre four would have been the ideal engine to use, Renault decided to go with the 1397 cc unit powering the Renault 5 Alpine hot hatch. Its output was also radically increased from the mere normally aspirated 93 bhp to the whopping turbocharged 162 bhp. Bodywork was restyled at Bertone by Marcello Gandini. Suspension was made more fine-tuned, and more weight was lost through the use of aluminum for its doors and bonnet. After these modifications were outlined, the Renault 5 Turbo then started production in May 1980 right at the Alpine factory in Dieppe. Its official WRC debut was at the Tour de Corse, and it marked its first win at the Monte for its 1981 season.