Performance Review: Renault 5 Turbo Phase 1 - [1978]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Renault 5 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Renault 5 Turbo Phase 1 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1978. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 and the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual.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 980 kgs (2160 lbs) this makes the Renault 5 Turbo Phase 1 in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Renault 5 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1397cc 8V St4 engine produces 121 bhp (90 kW) @ 5750 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 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 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (148.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Renault 5.

The Renault 5 has a Power to weight ratio of 123.4 bhp per ton and 166.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1978 5 competing with the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (148.4 bhp per ton) or the 1973 Dodge Dart 360 Sport 5.9 V8 (148.3 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 166.3 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 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R 5.0 V8 (191.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Lexus LS 460 4.6 V8 (191.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.9 secs, this made the Renault 5 Turbo Phase 1 as fast as the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (6.70 secs) the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.70 secs) the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (6.70 secs) the or the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (6.70 secs). This Renault 5 Turbo Phase 1 is also faster than the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (6.80 secs) the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (6.80 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (6.80 secs) the and the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Brera JTS 3.2 V6 24v (6.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 and the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6

When talking about the performance of the Renault 5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.55 secs @ 82.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 (16.47 secs), the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX - Hatch (16.47 secs), and the 2005 Alfa-Romeo 159 3.2 V6 Q4 (16.47 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1978 version of the Renault 5 Turbo Phase 1 has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1978 5 equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1978 Renault 5 Turbo Phase 1 then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1978 5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Renault

Car Comparison