The Porsche-beating Renault 5
30 July 2009
After going for a spin in a Renault 5 Turbo 2, Adrian Hearn’s not so sure.
Renault is the current King of hot hatches thanks to sporty versions of the Twingo, Clio and Megane Renaultsport. All three are brilliant handling cars which also happen good looking.
But they’re not exactly mad, two-seat beasts which can out-accelerate a Porsche… or are they?
Thirty years ago the Renault 5 was a humble supermini which did everything it said on the tin. But the French manufacturer wanted to build a rally car and made 400 turbocharged models for homologation purposes, creating the Renault 5 Turbo.
Renault then built a version using more stock ‘5’ products and it was subsequently called the Renault 5 Turbo 2.
What makes the Renault 5 Turbo 2 so mad then? For starters it’s a supermini with a mid-mounted 1.4-litre turbocharged engine developing 160bhp and 160lb/ft of pulling power. That’s right, it’s mid-engined – like a Ferrari or a Toyota MR2.
Matches modern day hot hatches
When it was launched, Renault claimed the 5 Turbo 2 could accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and hit a top speed in excess of 130mph. It’s as quick as the current Renault Clio Renaultsport 200. And when it was launched it cost £17,000 – £1,500 more than the Clio RS. And this was the Eighties.
It’s also got the cool factor with film bosses using one for a chase scene in 1983 Bond film Never Say Never Again where Sean Connery, in his last outing as the spy, chased a red 5 Turbo while behind the wheel of a rocket-powered motorbike.
Famous owners have included Linda McCartney and former F1 star Derek Warwick. Warwick who once said: “I enjoy comfort more now but if it’s a short distance or I want to go quick then I take the 5 Turbo 2. It’s such fun to drive – you can only drive it flat-out.” Not all cars get testimonials from F1 drivers.
I recently saw a Renault 5 Turbo 2 pop up for sale on Auto Trader so I jumped straight onto the phone to try and check the hot hatch out.
Martin Gaffney is selling his Renault 5 Turbo 2 which he bought new in 1983. The businessman was driving down the Cote D’azur in France in his Porsche 911 Turbo when a speck in his rear-view mirror became increasingly bigger and then louder.
Attention grabbing
It was a 5 Turbo 2 which turned out to be driven by French F1 legend Alain Prost. At that point Martin realised he had to have one. I arranged to meet Martin in a hotel car park in Bromley where we’d go out for a spin in the Renault. As I arrive, there are three members of the public surrounding the hot hatch and one other taking a photo.
“That’s the reaction it gets every time I take it out,” says Martin. “I’ve had various Ferraris over the years and I tended to use them because they get less attention.”
You can see why though. In London, supercars can be a common sight, but it’s not every day you see a Renault 5 Turbo 2 – it’s a mad-looking motor with huge rear arches, aggressive inverted alloys and a wide rear-end. If it were a person it would be the pint-sized body builder who’s always in the gym pumping iron with a massive chip his shoulder. Small feet, big shoulders and desperate to fight someone twice his size to prove he can.
And when it was launched in 1980, it could fight more established opposition and win. In top gear and between the speeds of 60mph and 80mph and 70mph and 90mph, the feisty 5 was quicker than a 4.6-litre Porsche 928S.
One owner
Martin’s model, barring the tinted windows is completely standard and it’s only covered 90,000km (55,800 miles) over its 26 year life. I jump into the passenger seat of the left-hand drive motor, Martin – who is the car’s only owner – starts it first time and we’re away.
The first thing I notice is how comfortable the seats are – it’s like sitting on one of those old comfy sofas you find at your grandparent’s. They are the original seats and it’s a shame car makers don’t build them like this anymore. If you’re thrashing a car through the corners then bucket seats are better but considering Britain’s pothole-ridden roads, these seats are perfect.
After negotiating a few residential roads we find a clear straight where Martin opens up the taps. Christ it’s quick. I’ve driven pretty much every modern day hot hatch but nothing feels as quick as the Turbo – and this is a 26 year old car. It brakes well too and after taking your foot off the throttle the exhaust makes that awesome popping sound. Shy and retiring it certainly ain’t.
Most hot hatches pack 200-plus horsepower but they also weigh more than 1,500kg but the Renault 5 Turbo 2 tips the scales at just 941kg thanks to various fibreglass components, a small turbocharged engine and relatively few luxuries. All this contributes to its visceral acceleration.
And while it’s only a two-seater there is plenty of room on the enormous parcel shelf which doubles up as the engine cover.
In terms of outright ridiculous Eighties supermini hot hatches, only the Metro 6R4 is a madder prospect but you’ll pay upwards of £60,000 for one of these 300bhp V6 brutes.
You can get your hands on this Renault 5 Turbo 2 for less than half that with Martin selling the French sports car for £24,995. It’s just undergone a full service and has years of paperwork accompanying it.
With its near perfect condition, limited mileage and fantastic performance we reckon it’s good value for a fast-appreciating classic.
Interested in the Renault? For more information call Martin on 07821 090 888.
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