Renault 5 Turbo 2
The 1983 Renault 5 Turbo 2 is one of the most outrageous homologation specials of the 1980s. To look at the standard Renault 5, a humble economy car, and imagine it transformed into a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive rally weapon seems absurd. Yet that is precisely what Renault achieved, creating a car that was mechanically unrelated to the front-engine, front-wheel-drive production model despite wearing the same basic bodywork from the A-pillars forward.
The Turbo 2 was the more accessible successor to the original Renault 5 Turbo (Turbo 1), which featured exotic aluminum body panels and a more comprehensively modified structure. The Turbo 2 simplified the production process by using steel body panels and a less elaborately finished interior, reducing costs while maintaining the same mechanical specification.
The 1,397cc Cleons-Fonte inline-four engine, turbocharged and intercooled, was mounted transversely behind the driver, feeding the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Output was approximately 160 horsepower, but the car's featherweight 920 kg mass made this more than adequate. The power-to-weight ratio exceeded many contemporary sports cars.
The bodywork transformation was dramatic. The rear wheel arches were massively widened to accommodate the mid-mounted engine and wider rear track, giving the car an aggressive, muscular stance that was completely at odds with the standard Renault 5's innocent character. Large air intakes in the rear quarters fed cooling air to the engine, while the front bodywork retained the standard car's appearance, creating a fascinating visual contrast.
Driving the Turbo 2 was an intense experience. The mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout provided sharp turn-in and excellent traction under acceleration, but the short wheelbase and rear weight bias could produce sudden oversteer that demanded quick reflexes. The turbocharged engine provided a noticeable surge of power when boost arrived, adding to the car's lively and demanding character.
In rallying, the Renault 5 Turbo was a serious competitor, winning the Monte Carlo Rally in 1981 and numerous national championships. The Turbo 2, while primarily a road car, was also campaigned successfully in various racing series, including the one-make Renault 5 Turbo Eurocup.
Renault produced approximately 3,167 Turbo 2s between 1983 and 1986, significantly more than the 1,820 Turbo 1s that preceded them. Today, the Renault 5 Turbo 2 is one of the most desirable French performance cars of the 1980s, offering a uniquely exciting driving experience that has few parallels in the automotive world.
Check the steel body panels for rust, particularly in the widened rear arches and underbody. The turbocharged engine should be inspected for boost leaks, turbo condition, and head gasket integrity. The mid-engine layout makes cooling critical — check all hoses and radiator condition. Verify the car is a genuine Turbo 2 and not a standard R5 with body modifications. Interior parts are increasingly scarce.
The Turbo 2 was assembled at Alpine's factory in Dieppe, France from 1983 to 1986. Unlike the Turbo 1, which used aluminum body panels, the Turbo 2 used steel panels to reduce production costs. Approximately 3,167 Turbo 2s were produced.