These days a Renault 5 is a snazzy little electric number that invigorates the dullest of city streets. And does so very quietly. But the 5 you see here will make everyone’s hair stand up on end, set the neighbour’s dog barking and turn every single head as it passes. Noise is its middle name. Because this 1981 Renault 5 has a turbo charged 158 bhp engine tucked away in the back where the rear seats should be and was designed to go rallying. In short, it’s the hottest of hot hatches and we want it badly.
There aren’t very many of these, and they hardly ever come up for sale, so feast your eyes and start to count the pennies. Built as a homologation special to compete against the likes of Lancia's Stratos, the 5 Turbo was launched to disbelieving crowds at the Brussels Motor Show in 1980. Order books filled quickly, to Renault’s surprise, but just 1,820 were produced, hand finished at Renault’s Alpine factory in Dieppe. There’s a neat dashboard plaque marking this 5 Turbo as number 1,083. A limited edition artwork, then.
Out-there design was by Renault themselves in collaboration with Marcello Gandini of Bertone, most famous for his work on Lamborghini's Miura. Gandini took care of the sumptuous interior, too, incorporating a modular nine dial dashboard. Interior colourway is in eye popping red and blue, all as new, benefitting from a recent re trim by marque specialists. You won’t need a morning espresso before driving it, let’s put it that way.
Small but mighty
Massively bulging fibreglass rear arches take care of extra cooling for the business end of this remarkable little machine. Lurking behind your oh so 1980s front seats is the compartment for the mid-mounted inline four cylinder engine, equipped with Garrett T3 turbocharger to crank up the power and take you to a full 130 mph, with 60 mph coming up in a raucous 7.5 seconds.
It’s fair to say that given the original-spec decals yelling “Turbo” that most will have an inkling of what you’re driving, but not perhaps that there is little room for your weekly shop at that German discount supermarket. Factory correct Gris Galaxie paint finish with darker blue detailing is complemented by original turbine-style alloy wheels. Rare full toolkit is present and correct.
So given the obvious desirability of this frankly insane little hot hatch, it all comes down to price. That and whether or not you’ll end up in a hedge with some over enthusiastic driving. Still, that’s what track days are for, no? This immaculate Renault 5 Turbo is for sale right now over at 4 Star Classics and price is - strictly on application. Taking a look around at recent auction results however we’d suggest you have around £120,000 handy before giving the nice people at 4 Star Classics a call. When you book Portugal’s Portimao circuit for your first track day, we’ll be in hospitality to hear your tales.
