When Renault developed turbocharged engines for its Le Mans and Formula One racers in the 1970s, it learned a lot about forced induction. The technology markedly improved performance on the track, so engineers naturally looked at ways to implement it on street cars. Surprisingly, they chose the humble 5—briefly sold as the LeCar on our shores—as a starting point.
The 5 Turbo was developed as a range-topping halo model from the get-go. Renault never offered the 5 Turbo in the United States, but a small handful were imported by a private company called Sun International and modified to meet both DOT and EPA regulations. One of them is recently listed on eBay, bid to $45,100 with about a week left in the auction. It’s a two-owner car that was built in 1985, meaning it’s one of the last 5 Turbo 2s—and it has only covered 80,000 miles over the past three decades.
Presented as a concept at the Paris Auto Show in October 1978, the 5 Turbo stood out from its predecessor 5 thanks to a deeper front bumper, side skirts, and massive fender flares accented by sizable air vents. More important modifications were found inside, where Renault planned to move the engine from between the front fenders to directly behind the front seats. However, the concept presented in the French capital wasn’t equipped with an engine yet.
The concept generated a hugely positive response from enthusiasts. How could it not?
Renault saw it as an opportunity to boost its presence in the world of motorsports, so it announced that 400 street-legal examples of the 5 Turbo would be built in order to homologate the model in Group 4 racing. Production kicked off in January 1980 in Dieppe, France, in the same factory that churned out the Alpine A310.
The entire 400-car production run was quickly spoken for. By popular demand, Renault developed an evolution of the Turbo called 5 Turbo 2 that was cheaper to build and consequently more affordable. The modifications included an interior borrowed from the 5 Alpine Turbo, black bumpers on both ends, and steel body panels in lieu of aluminum units on the original Turbo.
Power came from a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine tuned to generate 160 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 163 pound-feet of torque at 3,250 rpm. Bolted to a five-speed manual transmission that spun the rear wheels, the mid-mounted turbo four sent the 5 from zero to 62 mph in 6.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 130 mph.
The seller explains the Turbo 2 is well preserved because it has always been stored inside, but it needs the fuel distributor rebuilt before it can be driven. Once that’s done, the lucky new owner can either enjoy it as-is or bring it back to like-new condition by replacing the carpet, the headliner, and the front seats. Either way, it’s sure to put a smile on the next owner’s face, and it’ll certainly prove to be a wise investment as the 5 Turbo 2 becomes more valuable every year.
About the author
Share your feedback
This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.