Renault 5 GT Turbo | PH Auction Block

Turbocharging the R5 was a stroke of Gallic genius - and there can't be many left better than this one...

By Matt Bird / Tuesday, 14 October 2025 / Loading comments

While it is undoubtedly a close-run thing, and there will be those that disagree, Renault surely has a claim to the great hot hatch history of all the car manufacturers. From Twingo to Trophy R, it has been churning out the icons for decades, and has already demonstrated that electrification need not be the end of pocket rocket fun. For years, the Megane was the default choice in its segment; the Clio for longer still. Even when perhaps Renault didn’t hit the bullseye, they weren’t too far from the mark (we’ll let you nominate your own suggestions there).

Whether front- or mid-engined, front- or rear-wheel drive, V6 or battery powered, classic or contemporary, Renault can usually be relied on for a cracking hot hatch. Everyone will have their favourite, and we’ll bet on some form of 5 ranking very highly for all enthusiasts. Whether the wild mid-engined rally stars, the sweet little early Gordinis, or the turbo tykes, they really were memorable machines. Even in the glory days of the hot hatch, the 5 stood out for its design and its impish fun.

The GT Turbo is now 40 years old, and even in the mid-'80s it was a resolutely old-school proposition. Its pushrod engine had its roots in the 60s, and it was extremely light even by the standards of the day. So you can imagine how raw and exciting one is going to feel in the 2020s. The original cars suffered with some turbo troubles and hot starting issues; phase two cars like this one were improved, and they tend to be the GTTs that have survived to this day.

Not that many still exist, of course; like so many similar cars of this era, GTs suffered badly from mistreatment when they were cheap, to say nothing of the modifying. No car quite encapsulated the early days of Max Power like a turbocharged Renault 5; no car was quite such a perfect match for Ali G, either. The mad modifying craze undoubtedly created some spectacular things, but man did it take a lot of good cars with it.

This is about as far from the bad old days of Renault 5 GT Turbos as it’s possible to get, a 1990 Phase 2 car that’s only modification is a modern stereo. Otherwise, it’s absolutely standard, just as it left the dealer 35 years ago, without any changes to the engine, brakes, or suspension. Or interior, for that matter, which looks truly brilliant with the Jaeger dials, red accents, and three-spoke wheel.

Amazingly, this PH Auctions lot has barely covered 25,000 miles with its four owners; the current keeper has covered fewer than 1,500 in a decade. So it means this Turbo is almost unrepeatable in terms of its originality, without restoration or repair for anything. Recent work has included new front discs and pads last year, with a service that included a new rad and coolant flush not long after. Those keen to use the 5 more regularly (easy to see why you might) may find themselves having to renew a few bits as they go, but that’s surely to be expected given the vintage. Or it could be saved for summer shows; whether it’s French themed, Renault themed, or merely celebrating old cars, nothing will garner affection quite like a 5 GT Turbo - especially one that looks as good as this.

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