Chassis Number: VF1822000C0001504
Not to be confused with the conventional front-wheel-drive Renault 5 Gordini Turbo or GT Turbo, the Renault 5 Turbo (and later Turbo 2) was a mid-engined homologation special built in limited numbers for professional rallying between 1979 and 1986. Renault’s considerable Formula One-derived turbocharging expertise was applied to the humble 1.4-liter overhead-valve engine, resulting in a power increase to 160 horsepower (in road trim), an output sufficient for a top speed of 260 km/h and a 0–100 km/h time of around seven seconds. In the Turbo, this remarkable little engine was mounted amidships (where the rear passenger’s seats had been) and drove the rear wheels via a 5-speed transaxle. A thinly disguised 2-seater supercar, the Turbo was first seen in prototype form at the 1978 Paris Salon and made its competition debut in 1980. In 1981, Ragnotti/Andrié won the Monte Carlo Rally outright for Renault and the following year Ragnotti won the Tour de Corse. Faced with increasing competition from teams running 4-wheel-drive cars, Renault responded with more-powerful Tour de Corse and Maxi Turbo variants, Ragnotti adding another Tour de Corse win in 1985. At the end of the season, the Works team retired the 5 Turbo from competition. This Renault 5 Turbo was sold new to a Mr. Valli in Sion, Switzerland, in 1983, and bought from him by the current vendor in 1990. Recent maintenance has included replacing the fuel pump (2016), replacing the alternator (2017), completely overhauling the fuel system (2017), and a major service that included renewing all the spark plugs and injectors (invoices on file). Described by the vendor as in impeccable condition throughout, the car comes with its original Renault wallet containing the warranty card, original build cards, original owner’s book and service book, and radio instructions book. The car also comes with its toolkit, original jack, spare wheel, Contrôle Technique and a Swiss Carte Grise.
