The Renault 5 Turbo was launched in 1980, and featured a mid-mounted 1397cc Cléon turbocharged engine in a modified Renault 5 chassis. The car was made in order to compete in rally championships, but was also sold in road-going guise. In standard form, the engine developed 160 hp (119 kW).
A first batch of 400 cars were produced to comply with Group 4 homologation.
A second version, Turbo 2, was introduced using stock Renault 5 parts in replacement of many light alloy parts of the original 5 Turbo. The original 5 Turbo was in retrospect called "Turbo 1". The Turbo 2 was much cheaper but featured nearly the same performance.
All the racing derivative were based on the Turbo 1. The factory pushed the engine output up to 180 hp (134 kW) for the Cevennes, 210 hp (157 kW) for the Tour de Corse, and possibly as much as 350 hp (261 kW) in the Maxi 5 Turbo. These kits featured stronger engine internals and more efficient intercoolers.
Driven by Jean Ragnotti this car won the Monte Carlo Rally for its first race in World Rally Championship.
In 2004, Sports Car International named the R5 Turbo number nine on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s.
