Renault 5 Turbo (pre-1983) Polycarbonate Windows

The Renault 5 Turbo wasn’t just a hot hatch, it was a full-blown, rally-bred, mid-engined monster that defied expectations and cemented its place in motorsport history. Launched in 1980, this wasn’t just another warmed-up version of the Renault 5, it was a radical reinterpretation, taking Renault’s humble hatchback and transforming it into one of the wildest performance cars of its time.
The project was born out of Renault’s desire to dominate rallying, particularly in the high-octane world of Group 4 and later Group B competition. To do that, they needed something more than just another front-wheel-drive hot hatch. The solution? Take the Renault 5, rip out the back seats, mount a turbocharged engine where they used to be, and send power exclusively to the rear wheels. The result was a car that looked like a Renault 5 but drove like a mid-engined supercar.
Power came from a 1.4-litre turbocharged inline-four, producing 160 horsepower in the road-going version, an astonishing figure for such a lightweight car at the time. Weighing just around 970kg, the Renault 5 Turbo could rocket from 0-60 mph in just over 6.5 seconds, making it one of the fastest hatchbacks of its era. More importantly, the mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout gave it handling characteristics that were completely different from the standard Renault 5. This wasn’t just a peppy little hatch, it was a wild, twitchy, turbocharged rocket that required skill and nerve to master.
Visually, it was aggressive and unmistakable. The Renault 5 Turbo featured wide boxy rear arches, massive air intakes, deep bumpers, and a purpose-built stance that looked like it was ready to attack a rally stage at any moment. It was shorter and squatter than the standard Renault 5, sitting lower to the ground, with fat rear tyres that hinted at its mid-engined layout. Inside, it was a mix of Renault quirkiness and performance-focused minimalism, with bold colour schemes, deep bucket seats, and a dashboard that looked straight out of a fighter jet.
On the rally stage, the Renault 5 Turbo proved that Renault’s gamble had paid off. It made its debut in 1981, immediately showing promise in the World Rally Championship, where it competed against more powerful four-wheel-drive machines like the Audi Quattro. Despite lacking all-wheel-drive traction, the Renault 5 Turbo was nimble, brutally fast on tight tarmac stages, and unpredictable enough to keep competitors on edge. It won its first WRC event at the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally, with Jean Ragnotti behind the wheel, proving that Renault had built a rally car that could beat the best in the world.
As time went on, Renault introduced even wilder versions, like the Renault 5 Turbo 2, which simplified some of the expensive interior materials but kept the raw performance intact. The car continued to evolve, leading into the Group B era, where it became even more extreme with upgraded power outputs and stripped-out, race-focused designs.
Despite its limited production, only around 4,987 units were built, the Renault 5 Turbo left a massive impact on the automotive world. It paved the way for other mid-engined hatchbacks, inspired future turbocharged Renault performance models, and remains one of the most desirable and collectible French performance cars of all time.
Driving one today is an intense, exhilarating experience. The turbo lag is immense, but when the boost kicks in, it launches you forward with ferocity. The short wheelbase and mid-engine layout mean it can be unforgiving at the limit, but in the right hands, it’s one of the most rewarding cars to drive.
The Renault 5 Turbo wasn’t just a hot hatch, it was a Group 4 homologation special that became an icon. It was wild, unpredictable, and completely unlike anything else on the road at the time. Even today, it remains a symbol of Renault’s fearless approach to performance engineering, proving that sometimes, the best ideas come from breaking all the rules.