Mid-engined, rear-driven Group 4 homologation special — Renault's wildest hot hatch turned rally weapon.
Launched in 1980 to homologate Renault's Group 4 rally programme, the 5 Turbo placed a 1.4-litre turbocharged inline-four behind the front seats of a heavily reworked Renault 5 bodyshell, driving the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual. Original Turbo 1 cars used bespoke aluminium body panels and a dedicated interior, producing approximately 160 PS; the Turbo 2 (from 1983) shared more standard 5 panels and trim to reduce cost, in the same 160 PS specification.
Production totalled approximately 1,820 Turbo 1 cars and 3,160 Turbo 2 cars, plus a small number of factory rally evolutions.
Defining hot-hatch-bodied Group 4 rally homologation; an outright collector car since the mid-2010s.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Turbo 1 | 1980–1982 | 1,820 | Aluminium panels, bespoke interior, dedicated cooling. |
| 5 Turbo 2 | 1983–1986 | 3,160 | Standard 5 panels and interior; same engine spec. |
The models below represent the most significant limited and special edition variants — factory-produced cars that command meaningful premiums over standard examples and warrant specific attention from serious collectors.
Start with identity, paperwork and originality. For the Renault 5 Turbo / Turbo 2, the strongest cars have continuous ownership history, matching numbers where applicable, original books and tools, factory build documentation and evidence of work by manufacturer-approved specialists. Turbo 1 specification, original colour combinations and verified low ownership.
Cléon-Fonte 1.4 turbo is robust but cooling, turbocharger and original Bosch / Solex fuelling components are model-specific. A proper pre-purchase inspection includes cold-start behaviour, ECU diagnostics and fault-code history (where applicable), leak-down or compression testing, underbody photography, suspension and chassis inspection, brake condition and a long enough road test to expose heat-related faults. Deferred maintenance on a car of this class is almost always more expensive than buying a better-sorted example.
Use a paint-depth gauge, lift access and a specialist familiar with the model's factory panel gaps and finish standards. Collector value is dramatically affected by structural repairs, refinished panels, poor paintwork and missing factory trim or option content. Documented cosmetic refresh is acceptable; concealed accident or fire damage must be priced severely.
Turbo 1 cars (aluminium panels, bespoke interior) lead the market; original-paint, matching-numbers examples with no modification are the strongest. Specification, colour, options and limited-build variants move values significantly. Buy the best-documented example in the most desirable specification you can justify, rather than a tired example of a rarer derivative that will need years of corrective work.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-29 | Gooding Christie's Rétromobile Paris | 1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2 Lot 11. | — | €103,500 Sold |
| 2025-11-09 | Osenat Epoqu'auto | 1980 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4 Lot 141. | — | €169,200 Sold |
| 2025-11-08 | Iconic Auctioneers NEC | 1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2 Lot 219. | — | £88,875 Sold |
| 2025-02-07 | Artcurial Rétromobile | 1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2 Lot 67. | — | €95,360 Sold |
| 2025-02-04 | RM Sotheby's Paris | 1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2 Lot 225. | — | €103,500 Sold |
Mid-engine Group 4 hot-hatch homologation; Turbo 1 cars are blue-chip, Turbo 2 cars are firming as the entry route to the type.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
Get new buyer's guides and collector market intelligence delivered to your inbox. No spam. We respect your inbox.
The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
