Renault 5 Turbo

Infobox Automobile
name = Renault 5 Turbo


manufacturer = Renault
production = 1980-1984
successor = Renault Clio V6 Renault Sport
class = Sport compact
body_style = 2-door hatchback
layout = RMR layout
related = Renault 5
engine = 1397 cc Cléon turbo Convert|160|hp|kW|0|abbr=on

The Renault 5 Turbo or R5 Turbo is a high-performance hatchback automobile that was produced by the French manufacturer Renault in the early 1980s. The car was designed for rallying, but was also sold in road-going guise.

Design

Although the standard Renault 5 has a front-mounted engine, the 5 Turbo featured a mid-mounted 1397 cc Cléon turbocharged engine placed behind the driver in mid-body in a modified Renault 5 chassis.Fact|date=January 2008 In standard form, the engine developed Convert|160|hp|kW|0|abbr=on. Though it used a modified body from a standard Renault 5, and was badged a Renault 5, the mechanicals were radically different.

The first 400 production 5 Turbos was made to comply with Group 4 homologation. A second version, Turbo 2, was introduced using stock Renault 5 parts replacing many of light alloy components in the original 5 Turbo version. The original 5 Turbo was in retrospect called "Turbo 1". The Turbo 2 was less expensive, but had nearly the same levels of performance.

Racing

All the racing derivatives were based on the Turbo 1. The factory pushed the engine output up to Convert|180|hp|kW|0|abbr=on for the Critérium des Cévennes, Convert|210|hp|kW|0|abbr=on for the Tour de Corse, and possibly as much as Convert|350|hp|kW|0|abbr=on in the Maxi 5 Turbo. These kits featured stronger engine internals and more efficient intercoolers.

Driven by Jean Ragnotti the R5 Turbo won the Monte Carlo Rally on its first outing in the World Rally Championship. The 2WD R5 turbo soon faced the competition of new four-wheel drive cars that proved faster on dirt. However, it remained among the fastest of its era on tarmac where it was highly successful.

In 2004, "Sports Car International" named the R5 Turbo number nine on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s.

External links

* [http://auto-specs.zercustoms.com/r/renault/1984-renault-5-turbo-2-specifications.html 1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2 Specifications] , retrieved on 1 August 2008.
* [http://www.renault-5.net/version_renault_5_turbo2.htm Renault 5 Turbo 2] fr icon/en icon/es icon, retrieved on 1 August 2008
* [http://www.rtoc.org Renault Turbo Owners Club]