Rare Car Archive

Makes › Renault France › 5 Turbo › 5 Turbo (Turbo 1) · Factory competition · 1980–1982 Rare

Renault
5 Turbo (Turbo 1)

Mid-engined Group 4/B homologation R5 with aluminium panels.

Renault 5 Turbo (Turbo 1) (Wikimedia Commons: Renault 5 Turbo)
Renault 5 Turbo (Turbo 1) (Wikimedia Commons: Renault 5 Turbo)
Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0
1,820BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
1,820 Built
Years
1980–1982
Engine
Four-cylinder in-line, central longitudinal (mid-engine) · 1,397 cc / 1.4 LFactory: 1,397 cc
Power
119 kW / 162 PSFactory: 160 hp · converted
Top speed
200 km/hFactory: 200 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Bertone (Marcello Gandini)
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Turbo 1 is the first Renault 5 Turbo: a mid-engined, rear-drive rally homologation special built on the Renault 5 body, with the engine where the rear seats had been. The first 400 cars were built to meet Group 4 rules and went on to win the Monte Carlo Rally with Jean Ragnotti.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityRare 1,820 · Built1
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionTurbo 1 built (of 4,987 R5 Turbo) 1,8201 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The Renault 5 Turbo was shown as a static mock-up at the October 1978 Paris Motor Show. Bodies were built at Flins, converted by Heuliez at Cerizay (5 cm longer, aluminium roof and door panels, front strut brace) and assembled by Alpine at Dieppe, with the Garrett-turbocharged engine, five-speed gearbox, interior and paint. The first 400 cars were needed for FIA homologation.

Renault says 802 were built in 1980 as model year 1981, 536 in 1981 and 352 in 1982, with changes in 1982 including a more efficient intercooler, steel doors instead of aluminium, and new colours. The name "Turbo 1" distinguishes it from the Turbo 2.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 5 Turbo (Turbo 1).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutFour-cylinder in-line, central longitudinal (mid-engine)2
Cylinders43 Independently researched
Displacement 1,397 cc / 1.4 LFactory: 1,397 cc2
Bore 76 mmFactory: 76 mm2
Stroke 77 mmFactory: 77 mm2
Compression ratio7:12
ValvetrainSide-mounted camshaft2
Fuel systemBosch K-Jetronic fuel injection2
InductionGarrett T3 turbocharger2
Power 119 kW / 162 PSFactory: 160 hp · converted2Rating: manufacturer
Power at 6,000 rpm2
Torque 210 Nm / 21.4 kgmFactory: 21.4 kgm2
Torque at 3,250 rpm2

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox5-speed manual, dual-disc clutch2
Gears52
Driven wheelsRear-wheel drive2

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisStrengthened Renault 5 monocoque with a tubular structure carrying the engine and transmission4 Independently researched
Front suspensionDouble wishbones, torsion bars, anti-roll bars, telescopic dampers2
Rear suspensionDouble wishbones, torsion bars, anti-roll bars, telescopic dampers2
BrakesVentilated discs front and rear2
SteeringRack and pinion2
Body constructionSteel monocoque, 2 seats2
Wheelbase 2,430 mmFactory: 2,430 mm5 Independently researchedFrom the Turbo 2 data sheet; the Turbo 1 is not given separately.
Length 3,660 mmFactory: 3,660 mm5 Independently researched
WidthNot yet verified
HeightNot yet verified
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 970 kgFactory: 970 kg2
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 200 km/hFactory: 200 km/h2Planète Renault quotes 210 km/h.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The Turbo 1 has aluminium roof and door panels and a strengthened bodyshell, wide box arches by Bertone (Marcello Gandini), and a red and blue interior with an asymmetrical steering wheel. The 1397 cc turbo engine sits longitudinally behind the seats, and the rear suspension comes from the Alpine A310. Tyres are 190-section at the front and 220-section at the rear. It weighs about 900 kg, against 970 kg for the later Turbo 2, and was built between June 1980 and September 1982.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Sports Car Market – 1983 Renault 5 Turbo profile Level B
    • 1820 Turbo 1 built (of 4,987 R5 Turbo)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Renault 5 Turbo - Les Cahiers Histoire et Passion Level A Renault Classic (Renault Group)
    • Engine: 4 in-line cylinders; Positioning: central longitudinal
    • Capacity: 1,397 cm3
    • bore x stroke: 76 x 77 mm
    • Compression ratio: 7 :1
    • Timing gear: side-mounted camshaft
    • Bosch K Jetronic electronic fuel injection
    • Supercharging: Garrett T3 turbocharger
    • Max. power: 160 hp at 6,000 rpm
    • 160 hp at 6,000 rpm
    • Max. torque: 21.4 mkg at 3,250 rpm
    • 21.4 mkg at 3,250 rpm
    • Gearbox: 5-speed gearbox; Clutch: dual disc
    • 5-speed gearbox
    • Transmission: rear wheel drive
    • Suspension: double wishbone front and rear suspension, torsion bars, sway bars
    • double wishbone front and rear suspension
    • brakes: front and rear ventilated discs
    • Steering: rack and pinion
    • bodywork type: steel monocoque, 2 seats
    • Weight: 970 kg
    • Top speed: 200 km/h
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  3. 3
    Renault 5 Turbo: review, history and specs of an icon Level C evo
    • In-line 4-cyl, 1397cc, turbo
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  4. 4
    Renault 5 Turbo: Birth of an icon: 1980 Level C Ian Eveleigh · evo
    • a hole was cut in the rear floor of the 5's monocoque and a tubula[r structure]
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  5. 5
    Renault 5 Turbo 2 data sheet (text on first 400 cars) Level C Classic & Performance Car (web archive copy)
    • Wheelbase: 2430mm
    • Length: 3660mm
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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