-The Renault 5 GT Turbo. A deadly machine.- #blogpost

In the 80’s and 90’s, the hot hatches were taking over Europe. Renault decided they had to launch their own affordable hot hatch. The Renault 5 Turbo already existed, but it existed for the rally homologation, and it was too expensive for young people.

 So Renault decided to build a front engine front wheel driven car instead of the MR layout already existing in the R5 Turbo. Then they created the R5 GT Turbo. Don't get fooled by the name, as it was a lot slower than the original R5 Turbo. 

  The engine shared the same engine block from the R5 Turbo.

  Specs (1987-1991):
 • 1397cc Inline 4 SOHC 8 valves           Turbocharged  with single barrel carburettor.
 • 118 hp at 5750 rpm (max rpm at 6000)
 • 165 Nm (122 lb-ft) at 3750 rpm
 • 5 speed manual
 • Aproximate weight: 850 kg.

Its cheap price, high power and simple suspension which was prone to oversteer meant that this car was not 'for all ages'. I'm pretty sure that some of you have met a guy who's dad wrecked a Renault 5 sometime. It was nicknamed the 'coffin on wheels'. Despite of its FF layout, it loves to oversteer, and with no ABS, people that slammed the brakes were screwed.

Nowadays it has appreciated a lot in value, and that makes the Fiat Uno Turbo (its main rival) a better car to buy. But the R5 GT Turbo will remain forever in the hearts of hot hatch lovers.

~Victor Alcaide.

(Sorry for the lack of pictures, I don’t recommend writing a blogpost in a mobile phone).