Renault 5 GT Turbo (1985-1991)

A Real Pocket Rocket From Renault

The Renault 5 GT turbo was spawned from the mid-engined rally car of the early eighties. The Renault 5 Turbo 2 was design for competition where as the Renault 5 GT Turbo was an out and out fast road car. Renault had built a giant killer at the right time with the hot hatch market taking off in the mid eighties.

Competitors were quick, but nothing could match the Renault 5 GT Turbo in its price range. The 1397cc four cylinder engine was bursting with power at 115bhp. With a Garret T2 turbo charger helping to produce a phenomenal 0-60mph time of 7.1 seconds. Every other performance hatchback was at least a second behind the Renault.

The Renault 5 GT Turbo looked the part, thanks to Lamborghini designer Marchello Gandini giving the car a sports make-over. Fat grills and arches made the hatch back look squat and muscular. This was seen as controversial by some but it gave the GT Turbo the show as well as the go it already had.

Specification Renault 5 GT turbo (1985-1991)

Years Produced	1985 - 1991
Performance	0 - 60mph 7.1sec / Top Speed - 123mph
Power & Torque	118bhp / 125Ib/ ft
Engine	1397cc four cylinder / 8 valves/ Turbo charged
Drive-train	front engine / FWD
Transmission	Four speed manual
Weight	820kg

Valuations since launch for the Renault 5 GT turbo (1985-1991)

	Launch	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
Concours	£7,630.00	£5,000.00	£6,000.00	£8,000.00	£9,000.00	£12,500.00	£15,000.00
Excellent		£3,000.00	£4,000.00	£5,000.00	£6,000.00	£8,000.00	£12,000.00
Good		£12,000.00	£2,000.00	£3,000.00	£4,000.00	£5,000.00	£7,000.00
Fair		£1,000.00	£1,500.00	£2,000.00	£2,500.00	£3,000.00	£3,000.00

A Buyer’s Guide

Many Renault 5 GT Turbos have fallen by the wayside these days being written off or stolen not recovered. The ones that are left are a mix bag from bangers to pricey mint examples. Surprisingly rust isn’t the major problem it can be with cars of the era. Always check the usual places for rot, such as wheel arches, below the windscreen, doors and sills as even good cars may have these faults.

Engines do have a reputation for fragility so check when the engine is idling that the cooling fan cuts in. Plumes of white smoke while accelerating are signs of head gasket failure and blue smoke is burning oil which could be a tired turbo.

Gear boxes are strong and clutches are reliable but can be changed for a stronger Volvo 480 clutch with a longer actuating arm fitted. Brakes are reliable but nothing special. They will probably have been replaced by now to something more suitable. Look out for non standard wheels as the 13” originals normally get changed for bigger ones.

Original interiors wear with seats; dashboards and gear knobs showing signs of old age. It can be difficult to find decent replacement parts for these items so remember this when you’re looking for the right car.

Insuring a Renault 5 GT turbo (1985-1991)

These days insuring a Renault 5 GT Turbo doesn’t involve the drama it used to. As a classic 80’s hot hatchback you get comprehensive cover with agreed value at a fraction of the cost you would have. Limited Mileage will save you money and salvage retention will protect you should the worse happen. So insure you classic hot hatchback with Heritage Classic Car Insurance.

This quotation has been based on fully comprehensive cover, insured only to drive age 60.

Annual premium – £102.65 with a £100 accidental damage excess.

This quotation has been based on fully comprehensive cover, insured only to drive age 45.

Annual premium – £102.65 with a £100 accidental damage excess.

This quotation has been based on fully comprehensive cover, insured only to drive age 30.

Annual premium – £102.65 with a £100 accidental damage excess.

*NB: All insurance quotes are based on the same criteria: The vehicle being garaged overnight. Accident, claim and conviction free and a limited mileage of 3000 per annum with full use of a main car daily. All quotations are based on an Agreed Value of £8,000. Prices may alter depending on individual criteria. Quote carried out February 2017.

Mark Wilkinson (Managing Director of Heritage Classic Car Insurance)

“The Renault 5 GT Turbo was the hatchback to catch in the mid eighties. With all that power in a tiny 3 door car no one could touch it. Renault continued the theme with the Clio but everybody remembers the GT Turbo.”

Interesting Fact

There are four versions of turbocharged Renault 5s. The Renault 5 Turbo, built for homologation. The Renault 5 Turbo 2, similarly mid-engined but not as lightweight as the earlier models. The Renault 5 Gordini Turbo; and the best known version, the legendary Renault 5 GT Turbo.