Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault Turbo history on show at Rétromobile

French firm’s ode to boost celebrates 40 years since its first, turbocharged F1 victory

Those with a thing for French cars and engines that go "whoosh" will do well to get along to the Rétromobile show taking place in Paris later this week.

As a celebration of its first F1 victory with the turbocharged RS 10, Renault is displaying a broad selection of cars from the Renault Classic collection – all boosted by turbochargers.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The display will feature both an example of the Grand Prix-winning RS 10, as driven to that first victory by Jean-Pierre Jabouille at the French Grand Prix at Dijon-Prenois that year, as well as an example of its latest turbocharged work, a 2018 Renault Sport Megane Trophy.

In among them are three turbocharged examples of the Renault 5, including an original mid-engined 5 Turbo (which debuted the year after that maiden victory and claimed four WRC wins between 1981 and 1986), a 1981 example of the 108bhp Renault 5 Alpine Turbo (better known in Britain as the Gordini Turbo), and a Renault 5 GT Turbo from the model’s second generation in 1985.

These, plus the 1983 Fuego Turbo, 1984 Renault 11 Turbo and 1987 Renault 21 Turbo are relatively well known, but some significantly rarer examples of forced-induction Renaults will also be on display.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

> Driving Renault classics – R4, Estafette, Espace, Frégate and Juvaquatre coupé on the road

Probably rarest of all is the 1980 Renault 18 Turbo – the 21’s predecessor, using a 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder with 108bhp, and relatively sophisticated at the time with a knock sensor and electronic ignition. Renault 9 Turbos too are an uncommon sight even in France, similar under the skin to the 11 Turbo but wrapping its 1.4-litre, 104bhp engine (a 113bhp version followed) in a less distinctive – but dare we say it, now fairly handsome? – saloon body.

Last but not least of the boosted lineup features not one, but two turbochargers: the 1993 Renault Safrane Biturbo. The 258bhp take on Renault’s 1990s luxury car featured input from Hartge and Irmscher (more commonly associated with BMW and Opel), all-wheel drive, and unusually, a manual gearbox. Rather predictably, it wasn’t a strong seller, which is all the more reason to give it some time at Rétromobile.

There’ll also be an Estafette van at the show – 60 years old in 2019, and while not turbocharged like the rest on display (that we’re aware of, at least…), it will be painted in the 1979 F1 team’s livery.

Rétromobile opens on February 6th at the Porte de Versailles in Paris, and closes its doors on February 10th. Click any of the images above to see a gallery of Renault's turbocharged models.

> 120 years of Renault's history – a dive into the heritage collection

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Driving ’80s performance car icons, from the Peugeot 205 GTI to the Ferrari Testarossa – car pictures of the week
evo's ’80s performance car test
Features

Driving ’80s performance car icons, from the Peugeot 205 GTI to the Ferrari Testarossa – car pictures of the week

In the latest issue of evo magazine, we revisit six staple performance cars of the 1980s on some of the best roads in the UK – these are our favourite…
18 May 2025
Ford Escort Alan Mann 68 Edition 2025 review – the ultimate reborn classic fast Ford?
Ford Escort Alan Mann 68 – front
Reviews

Ford Escort Alan Mann 68 Edition 2025 review – the ultimate reborn classic fast Ford?

The latest product of Boreham Motorworks’ continued restomod work with the Escort is the 795kg Alan Mann 68 Edition. It’s fabulous.
4 May 2025
Renault 4 2025 review – retro crossover takes aim at the MG4
Renault 4 front
Reviews

Renault 4 2025 review – retro crossover takes aim at the MG4

The revived Renault 4 hopes to continue the success of its smaller 5 sibling, and on first impressions it seems well placed to do just that
2 May 2025
New Porsche 911 by Singer with a little help from Red Bull and Cosworth
Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe reimagined by Singer – front
News

New Porsche 911 by Singer with a little help from Red Bull and Cosworth

The latest reimagined Porsche 911 to come out of Singer is a G-series wide-body tribute, using Red Bull and Cosworth knowhow
2 May 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new BMW M2 CS is just around the corner: here’s everything we know
BMW M2 CS spy shot – front
News

The new BMW M2 CS is just around the corner: here’s everything we know

The G87 M2 is a strong performer in standard guise, but the CS treatment is set to bring more focus still to the hot coupe
22 May 2025
Best cheap supercars – used exotics and rarities for less than a Porsche 911
Best cheap supercars
Best cars

Best cheap supercars – used exotics and rarities for less than a Porsche 911

New cars are more egregiously expensive than ever, making a silver-haired supercar for hot hatch money extraordinarily tempting
23 May 2025
BMW might be about to revive the Z3 M Coupe ‘clownshoe’
BMW Z3 M Coupe teaser
News

BMW might be about to revive the Z3 M Coupe ‘clownshoe’

A new Z3 M-inspired shooting brake will be unveiled at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este later this month – here’s a sneak peek
20 May 2025