Performance Review: Renault 5 GT Turbo - [1987]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Renault 5 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Renault 5 GT Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1987. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.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 Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 831 kgs (1832 lbs) this makes the Renault 5 GT Turbo in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer 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 120 bhp (89 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 122 lb-ft (165.4 Nm) @ 3750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 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 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (169.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Renault 5.

The Renault 5 has a Power to weight ratio of 144.4 bhp per ton and 146.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1987 5 competing with the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (169.3 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (169.3 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 146.8 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 2006 Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet (171.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1954 Frazer-Nash Sebring 2.0 Roadster (171.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.1 secs, this made the Renault 5 GT Turbo as fast as the 2017 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-2 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2007 Lexus IS 250 AWD (7.80 secs) the or the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (7.80 secs). This Renault 5 GT Turbo is also faster than the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the and the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 and the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Renault 5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.48 secs @ 88.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (15.41 secs), the 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (15.42 secs), and the 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera (15.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1987 version of the Renault 5 GT Turbo has a maximum speed of 120mph.

Top Speed of the 1987 5 equals the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1987 Renault 5 GT Turbo then how about the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (131 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (131 mph).

Related Links:

1987 5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Renault

Car Comparison