The Pocket Rocket Redefined

Introduced in 1980, the Renault 5 Turbo was engineered for one specific purpose: to smash the competition in Group 4 rallying. Renault took their sensible, economy hatchback, stripped out the rear passenger seats, and dramatically reshaped the bodywork with massive, boxy rear fender flares.

Designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, this radical transformation created an aggressive, wide-track layout that optimized stability and cornering speeds, shocking the automotive world with its aggressive appearance.

The Mid-Mounted Heart

By moving the powertrain from the front of the car to the middle, directly behind the driver, Renault achieved near-perfect chassis balance. The vehicle relied on a highly tuned 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that punched far above its weight class.

• Power Output: 158 hp
• Torque: 221 Nm

Avant-Garde Architecture

The original Turbo 1 variants featured a vibrant, highly futuristic interior design, complete with a unique two-spoke steering wheel and a bright, asymmetrical dashboard. It felt less like a repurposed economy car and more like a dedicated aerospace cockpit built for high-speed navigation.

We needed to create a weapon that could beat the best in rally racing. The quickest path was to throw out the rulebook, move the engine, and make it wide.

– Jean Terramorsi

Analog Rally Instincts

Driving the 5 Turbo requires quick reflexes and a deep understanding of old-school turbo lag. Power travels strictly to the rear wheels via a mechanical 5-speed manual transmission, rewarding brave drivers with exceptional traction and agility once the turbocharger builds full boost pressure.