1985 Renault 5 Turbo 2: Mid Engine Madness

In my last post I featured German factory hot rod, and today I’m bringing you a French one. It’s a 1985 Renault 5 Turbo 2.

Look- if you know these cars, you will know the the Turbo 2 will always love in the shadow of the visually similar Turbo 1. The Turbo 2’s lack some lightweight components, as well as the incredibly 80’s and iconic Bertone designed dashboard and seats.

Shame, but doesn’t detract from the sheer insanity that is this car.

As is the case with so many factory hot rods, racing homologation plays a big part in the tale of the Renault 5 Turbo’s. Inspired by the Lancia Stratos, Renault wanted a mid engine rally racer for themselves. Rather than start from scratch, they plucked their run of the mill hatchback off the production line, gutted it, shoehorned a motor in the boot, and sent it to Italian design house Bertone for a makeover.

The result is hatchback that looks like it ate another hatchback, and is halfway through digesting it.

These rarely come up for sale in Australia, but this one has been bouncing around Carsales for about 6 months- having been taken off the market, and then recently put back on.

Buyers willing to drop six figures on a French hatchback must be thin on the ground. Which is a shame, because these cars are a reminder of just how mental those French engineers can sometimes be.

Find this 1985 Renault 5 Turbo 2 on Carsales here for $135k.

1986 Renault 5 Turbo 2: In the owners own words

Rare Car

It will come with a roadworthy certificate. This car is priced to sell quickly at $135,000. Vehicle registration expires in November of this year. 59500 km on the clock only.

More inspiration

Need some more Renault 5 Turbo goodness? Check out this video below (you’ll need captions turned on):