Renault
Renault 5 Turbo: The Mid-Engine Rally Homologation Legend
The 5 Turbo was a wild mid-engine, rear-drive version of the humble Renault 5, built to dominate rallying.
Introduced in 1980, the Renault 5 Turbo transformed the ordinary front-engine Renault 5 hatchback into a radical mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive rally homologation special. Its turbocharged engine sat where the rear seats would be, and dramatically flared bodywork housed wide tires.
Built to compete in Group B and rally events, the 5 Turbo delivered explosive performance and became a motorsport icon. Road versions were produced to satisfy homologation rules, and the lighter Turbo 2 followed.
The 5 Turbo is a cherished classic and a symbol of the wild homologation era. Renault later revived the concept with a modern electric 5 Turbo 3E.