Description
Renault's love affair with turbocharged engines is well known. The Renault 5 Alpine Turbo made its debut in September 1981.
To spice up the naturally aspirated formula, already a market success with over 56, 000 units produced, Renault chose the most logical path: both to appeal to the racing clientele who had witnessed the first victories of the yellow, supercharged French single-seaters in Formula One, and to easily increase power and annoy the competition, which was meanwhile sensing interest in this solution.
The adoption of a water-cooled Garrett T3 turbocharger (but without an intercooler) means that the familiar 1, 397 cm³ four-cylinder engine delivers 110 hp, albeit at 6, 000 rpm instead of 6, 400. This is still enough to reach a top speed of 185 km/ h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/ h in just 9. 1 seconds (the car's kerb weight is just 870 kg).
The car has undergone a conservative restoration by the current owner and is in impeccable condition and in perfect working order. It is ASI registered and awarded a Gold Plate, requiring no work whatsoever. It is a showroom vehicle.
