1985 Renault R5 Turbo for Sale: Red Turbo 2 Five-Speed Mid-Engine Icon
The 1985 Renault R5 Turbo combines a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-four with a five-speed manual transaxle in one of the most distinctive European performance hatchbacks of its era. Finished in Red with Turbo 2 graphics over Beige upholstery, it presents the wide-bodied, rear-drive character that makes this model instantly recognizable. Equipment includes double-staggered metric alloy wheels with red-finished recesses, Michelin TRX tires, boxed fender flares, front and rear fog lights, Recaro leather seats, power windows, a Blaupunkt cassette stereo, manufacturer literature, and service records. For enthusiasts seeking an analog turbocharged classic, this example blends compact dimensions, unusual engineering, dramatic styling, and useful ownership documentation.
View the official listing below.
1985 Renault R5 Turbo for sale
Engine and Performance
Power comes from a turbocharged 1.4-liter gasoline inline-four paired with a five-speed manual transaxle. The rear-mounted drivetrain gives the car a layout far removed from an ordinary front-engine hatchback and places the turbocharged engine behind the cabin. The five-speed gearbox keeps boost response, clutch timing, engine speed, and deliberate gear selection central to every drive. Together, the compact turbo engine and manual transaxle create a highly involving package suited to winding roads, short bursts of acceleration, and the kind of mechanical interaction valued by classic performance-car enthusiasts.
Engineering and Specifications
Double-staggered metric alloy wheels feature red-finished recesses and wear Michelin TRX tires reportedly mounted in 2019, while a steel spare is stored in the front trunk. Independent double-wishbone suspension uses torsion bars at the front and coil springs at the rear, giving the chassis an unusually sophisticated layout for such a compact car. Four-wheel disc brakes provide stopping power, while the rear sway-bar bushings were replaced in 2020 and the brake-pad sensor wires were reportedly repaired in 2023.
Design and Heritage
Red paint and Turbo 2 graphics emphasize the short wheelbase, upright glass, boxed fender flares, and dramatic rear-quarter width that define the car’s unmistakable silhouette. Front and rear fog lights, metric alloys, and red wheel recesses add purposeful period detail without diluting the original visual theme. Inside, Beige upholstery, Recaro leather seats, power windows, and a Blaupunkt cassette stereo create a cabin that mixes competition-inspired seating with genuine 1980s touring comfort.
Driving Experience
The turbocharged inline-four and five-speed manual place boost build, clutch work, and gear choice directly in the driver’s hands. Rear-mounted power, rear-wheel drive, double-wishbone suspension, staggered Michelin tires, and four-wheel discs give the car an unusual and highly communicative roadgoing foundation. The compact cockpit, Recaro seating, manual controls, and short overall dimensions make the experience feel intimate, responsive, and deliberately mechanical rather than filtered through modern electronics.
Why This Car is Special
- The turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-four and five-speed manual transaxle create a distinctive rear-mounted performance drivetrain.
- Red paint with Turbo 2 graphics and boxed fender flares gives the car an unmistakable competition-inspired appearance.
- Double-staggered metric wheels with Michelin TRX tires preserve a strong period-correct visual and mechanical character.
- Independent double-wishbone suspension and four-wheel disc brakes provide sophisticated chassis hardware for a compact 1980s performance car.
- Recaro leather seats, power windows, Blaupunkt audio, manufacturer literature, and service records strengthen ownership appeal.
Specifications
- Engine: Turbocharged 1.4-liter gasoline inline-four.
- Transmission: Five-speed manual transaxle with rear-wheel drive.
- Wheels and tires: Double-staggered metric alloy wheels with red-finished recesses and Michelin TRX tires reportedly mounted in 2019.
- Chassis and brakes: Independent double-wishbone suspension with front torsion bars, rear coil springs, rear sway bar, and four-wheel disc brakes.
- Exterior and interior: Red paint with Turbo 2 graphics, Beige upholstery, boxed fender flares, fog lights, Recaro leather seats, power windows, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, literature, and service records.
Collector and Enthusiast Appeal
The 1985 Renault R5 Turbo combines turbocharged power, a five-speed transaxle, rear-wheel drive, specialized suspension, and unmistakable 1980s styling in a compact enthusiast package. Its Red Turbo 2 graphics, Beige cabin, Recaro seats, metric alloys, Michelin TRX tires, fog lights, and period audio create a cohesive specification with strong visual identity. For collectors and drivers drawn to unconventional European performance cars, this Renault offers distinctive engineering, direct controls, documented maintenance, useful factory literature, and a driving character unlike more conventional front-engine hot hatches.
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