The Renault 5 GT Turbo was a turbocharged hot hatch built by Renault from 1985 to 1991.
[] Renault 5 GT Turbo Phase I
The GT Turbo was introduced as part of the phase 2 of the Renault 5 in 1985. Following Peugeot's hugely successful and iconic 205 GTi, the Billancourt firm mustered a riposte. It used a heavily modified four cylinder, eight-valve "Cléon" 1394cc engine (bored out to 1397cc) from the Renault 8 Gordini -- a pushrod unit dating back to the 1950s. It was turbocharged with an air-cooled Garrett T2 turbocharger. Weighing a mere 850kg, and producing 115bhp, the R5 Turbo had an excellent power-to-weight ratio, permitting it to accelerate from a standstill to 60MPH in 7.1 seconds. To differentiate it from the standard 5, it came with blocky plastic side skirts. Unfortunately, turbo lag was an issue, and although it offered blistering acceleration, the GT Turbo was rather difficult to control. The same engine was used, with similar issues, in the less known but also blindingly fast Renault 9 and 11 Turbos.
[] Renault 5 GT Turbo Phase II
In 1987, the Phase I GT Turbo was discontinued, and the Phase II was launched. Major changes in the Phase II version included installing watercooling to the turbocharger, replacing the Phase I's air-cooled setup, which dramatically extended the life of the turbo. It also received a new ignition system which permitted it to rev 500RPM higher. These changes boosted engine output up to over 120BHP. Externally, the car was revamped, with changes (including new bumpers and arches) that reduced the car's drag coefficient from 0.36 to 0.35.
The Phase II underwent changes in its lifetime. It received a new interior in 1989, and in 1991 the special edition Raider model (available only in metallic blue, with different interior and wheels) was launched. In late 1991 the Renault 5 GT Turbo was discontinued, superseded by the Clio 16v and the Clio Williams.
[] Renault 5 GT Turbo EBS convertible
In 1989, the Belgian company EBS produced a small number of convertible versions of the Renault 5 (1400 in total), almost all of which were left-hand drive. 14 of the 1400 cars produced were based on the GT Turbo Phase II.
[] The Renault 5 GT Turbo today
Today, GT Turbos are becoming increasingly rare and difficult to find, but they are very popular as modified vehicles due to the astonishing performance and tuning potential -- engine output can be increased to levels exceeding 200BHP and weight reduced to 750 kilograms or less for little expense. The current known fastest quarter-mile time for a GT Turbo, set by a member of the Renault Turbo Owners Club, stands at 11.46 seconds, an impressive time for a road legal, apart from slick tyres, front-wheel drive car with a 1.4 litre 8 valve push rod engine.
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