Performance Review: Renault 5 Turbo 2 - [1983]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Renault 5 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Renault 5 Turbo 2 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1983. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T and the 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO.This particular Renault 5 has a 1397cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 5 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 5's Rear Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 970 kgs (2138 lbs) this makes the Renault 5 Turbo 2 in the same weight category as the 2008 Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Renault 5 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1397cc 8V St4 engine produces 160 bhp (119 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 163 lb-ft (220.9 Nm) @ 3250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Renault 5 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1999 Audi A6 S6 4.2 Quattro (189.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Renault 5.

The Renault 5 has a Power to weight ratio of 164.9 bhp per ton and 168.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1983 5 competing with the 1999 Audi A6 S6 4.2 Quattro (189.9 bhp per ton) or the 2014 BMW 2 Series M235i Cabriolet Auto F23 (189.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Renault 5 generating around 168.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra 5.0 V8 (193.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1979 Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica (193.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.8 secs, this made the Renault 5 Turbo 2 as fast as the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the or the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs). This Renault 5 Turbo 2 is also faster than the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (6.70 secs) the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.70 secs) the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (6.70 secs) the and the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (6.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 and the 2005 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 V8

When talking about the performance of the Renault 5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.03 secs @ 91.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2005 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 V8 (14.96 secs), the 2001 Honda Integra 2.0i VTEC Type R DC5 (14.97 secs), and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (14.97 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1983 version of the Renault 5 Turbo 2 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1983 5 equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1983 Renault 5 Turbo 2 then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1983 5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Renault

Car Comparison