Renault launched the R5 Turbo at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1980. It was their response to the rally successes of the mid-engined Lancia Stratos, and while the car was primarily designed for competition also a road version was available for homologation purposes. Originally it was the plan to produce 440 examples, but the car received many positive reactions so Renault built the car until 1986 and sold 1820 examples of the 1st series 5 Turbo and 3167 units of the later Turbo 2 version.

The mid-engined R5 Turbo was a real pocket rocket. The turbocharged 1397 cc "Cléon-Fonte" engine produced 160 bhp in road guise, and propelled this 960 kg lightweight car in less then 7 seconds past the 100 km/h barrier. This was very impressive in the beginning of the eighties, and a fantastic base to develop the car further into the succesful rallycar it would become. The original first series R5 Turbo had an aluminium roof and doors, and a slightly different interior, while the later R5 Turbo 2 got a steel roof and doors and a dashboard similar to the front wheel driven R5 Alpine Turbo. The real advantage of these productions changes was that the build quality became improved, and the Turbo 2 was actually as fast and better to drive then the first series.

Our car is a rare find. With only 28.955 km on the clocks, it looks as it just left the Renault showroom. I have never seen a 5 Turbo in this immaculate condition, and the car goes as good as it looks. The interior has now beautifully trimmed and period correct leather seats, while the original cloth seats and door cards are still with the car (in case the new owner wants to bring it back to original specification). Carpets, dashboard and headining are still as it left the factory and absolutely spotless. Wheels, paint and technical components are in perfect condition as well. The engine pulls strongly and produces one of the most entoxicating turbo whistles I ever heard.

Most of these cars had a hard life - mainly as a competition car - or were often partly changed with aftermarket tuning parts. For that reason, this example is a real gem with its factory fresh appearance and immaculate condition. If you want a proper collectors item, then this should be the one !