The Renault 5 Alpine/Gordini was one of the first true hot-hatches. Its launch in 1976 actually pre-dated the launch of the Volkswagen Golf GTI by a year.
Notable features included:
* 1397cc OHV engine - based on the Renault "Sierra" pushrod engine, but having hemispherical combustion chambers
* Crossflow cylinder head
* It developed 93bhp - twice as much as a standard 1108cc R5!
* Special alloy wheels and styled interior
* 5 speed gearbox, front-wheel drive
* Stiffened suspension (still torsion bar all round)
In England, the car was sold as the Renault 5 Gordini - Sunbeam already had the rights to the name "Alpine". Amédée Gordini was a French tuner often known as "Le Sorcier" or "The Wizard".
The car sold fairly well, but was a little outpaced by the time the Golf GTI arrived. To counteract this, it was replaced by the Renault 5 Alpine Turbo in 1982.
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