Renault 5

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Renault 5

Manufacturer	Renault
Production	1972–1996
Predecessor	Renault 4
Successor	Renault Clio Renault Twingo
Class	Supermini

The Renault 5 (also called the R5) was a supermini produced by the French automaker Renault in two generations between 1972 and 1996. It was sold in many markets, usually as the Renault 5 and in North America as Le Car, from 1976 to 1986. Nearly 5.5 million Renault 5s were built.^[1]

Contents 1 First generation (1972–1984) 1.1 Renault Le Car 1.2 Chronology 1.3 Engines 1.4 Sporting versions 1.5 Global markets 2 Second generation (1985–1996) 2.1 Chronology 2.2 Engines 3 Collectibility 4 References 5 External links

[edit] First generation (1972–1984)

Renault 5 (first generation)

Production	1972 - 1984 (1983 For North America)
Assembly	Billancourt, France Valladolid, Spain Mariara, Venezuela Tehran, Iran Novo Mesto, Slovenia
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback
Layout	MF layout
Engine(s)	0.8 L I4 1.1 L C-Type I4 1.4 L C-Type I4 1.4 L C-Type I4 Turbo
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	96 in (2,400 mm) (approx average of l & r)
Length	138 in (3,500 mm)
Width	60 in (1,500 mm)
Height	55 in (1,400 mm)
Fuel capacity	41 L (10.8 US gal; 9.0 imp gal)[2]

The Renault 5 was introduced in January 1972. It was Renault's first supermini^{[citation needed]}, and its most prominent feature was its styling by Michel Boue (who died before the car's release), which included a steeply sloping rear hatchback and front dashboard. Boue had wanted the taillights to go all the way up from the bumper into the C-pillar, in the fashion of the much later Fiat Punto and Volvo 850 Estate / Wagon, but the lights remained at a more conventional level.

Underneath the skin, it borrowed heavily from the Renault 4, using a longitudinally-mounted engine driving the front wheels with torsion bar suspension. OHV engines were borrowed from the Renault 4, Renault 8, and Renault 16, and ranged from 850 to 1400 cc.

Early R5s used a dashboard-mounted gearshift (the gearbox is in front of the engine), but this was later dropped in favour of a floor mounted shifter. Door handles were formed by a cut-out in the door panel and B-pillar. The Renault 5 was one of the first cars produced with a plastic bumper bar that has since become standard on most cars.

The engine was set well back in the engine bay, above and half behind the gear box. This made it possible for the spare wheel to be stowed under the bonnet/hood, an unusual arrangement which attracted press comment at the time and freed up more space for passengers and their luggage in the cabin. ^[3]

Other versions of the first generation included the Renault 5 Alpine (Gordini in the United Kingdom), Alpine/Gordini Turbo, and a four-door sedan version called the Renault 7 and built by FASA-Renault of Spain.

[edit] Renault Le Car

The American introduction of the Renault 5 did not occur until 1976. The Renault 5 was marketed as the Le Car in the United States by American Motors (AMC) through its 1,300 dealers where it competed against other front-wheel-drive subcompacts such the Honda Civic (which was introduced in 1972) and the newly introduced Volkswagen Rabbit.

The tiny and economical Renault 5 was dubbed Le Car by an ad agency launching a marketing campaign in the U.S. built on it being Europe's best selling car and the millions of satisfied owners.^[4] The Le Car name was ridiculed among Francophones^{[citation needed]}, as it literally means "the coach".

The U.S. version featured a 1397 cc I4 engine that produced 55 hp (41 kW), and a more conventional floor-mounted shifter was substituted for the dash-mounted unit. In 1977 it dominated the Sports Car Club of America "Showroom Stock Class C" class.^[5]

The LeCar was offered in 3-door hatchback form from 1976-80. For the 1980 model year, the front fascia was updated to include a redesigned front bumper, grille and rectangular headlights. A 5-door hatchback body style was added for the 1981 model year. Imports continued through 1983, when the car was replaced by the Wisconsin-built Renault 11-based Renault Encore.

[edit] Chronology

• January 1972: Introduction of the Renault 5 in (127 mm) L and TL forms. Both models had rear pull handles, a folding rear seat, grey bumpers, wind up front windows, and a dashboard-mounted gear shift lever. The TL was better equipped, and had a vanity mirror for the front seat passenger, three ashtrays (one in the driver's door armrest and two in the rear), two separate reclining front seats instead of one bench seat, front pull handles, and three stowage pockets.

• 1973: Gear lever moved from dashboard to floor, between front seats. TL gains heated rear window.

• 1974: Introduction of the R5 LS, same as R5 TL, plus floor-mounted gear shift lever, stylish wheels, H4 iodine headlights, electric windscreen washers, fully carpeted floor ahead of the front seats, carpeted rear parcel shelf, electronic rev counter, daily totalizer, two-speed ventilation system, illuminated ashtray with cigarette lighter.

• March 1975: R5 LS renamed R5 TS. The TS had all features of the previous LS, plus new front seats with integrated head restraints, black bumpers, illuminated heater panel, front spoiler, rear wiper, clock, opening rear quarter lights and reversing lights.

• February 1976: Introduction of the R5 GTL. It had the 1289 cc engine from the R5 TS (albeit with the power reduced to 42 bhp), the equipment specification of the R5 TL plus grey side protection strips and some features from the R5 TS such as the styled wheel rims, reversing lights, cigarette lighter, illuminated heater panel, electric windscreen washers.

• 1976: Introduction of the R5 Alpine, with 1397 cc engine with hemispherical combustion chambers, high compression ratio and & special 5-speed manual gearbox.

• 1977: R5 GTL gets opening rear quarter lights.

• 1977: R5 L gets new 845 cc engine.

• 1978: Introduction of the R5 Automatic, similar to R5 GTL, but with 1289 cc (55 bhp) engine, 3-speed automatic transmission, vinyl roof and front seats from TS.

• 1980: 5-door TL, GTL and Automatic models arrive.

• 1982: Introduction of the R5 TX.

• 1982: Introduction of the R5 Alpine Turbo, similar to the R5 Alpine, but with a Garrett T3 Turbo, new alloy wheels, stiffer suspension and disc brakes all-round.

[edit] Engines

• B1B 0.8 L (845 cc/51.6 cu in) 8-valve I4; 36 PS (26 kW; 36 hp); top speed: 120 km/h (75 mph)
• C1C (689) 1.0 L (956 cc/58.3 cu in) 8-valve I4; 42 PS (31 kW; 41 hp); top speed: 130 km/h (81 mph)
• C1E 1.1 L (1,108 cc/67.6 cu in) 8-valve I4; 45 PS (33 kW; 44 hp); top speed: 135 km/h (84 mph)
• 810 1.3 L (1,289 cc/78.7 cu in) 8-valve I4; 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp); top speed: 140 km/h (87 mph) (automatic)
• 810 1.3 L (1,289 cc/78.7 cu in) 8-valve I4; 64 PS (47 kW; 63 hp); top speed: 151 km/h (94 mph)
• C1J (847) 1.4 L (1,397 cc/85.3 cu in) 8-valve I4; 63 PS (46 kW; 62 hp); top speed: 142 km/h (88 mph) (automatic)
• C2J 1.4 L (1,397 cc/85.3 cu in) turbo 8-valve I4; 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp); top speed: 185 km/h (115 mph); 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 9.1 s

[edit] Sporting versions

The Renault 5 in its 1.4 litre Alpine version was raced in Group 2, its most notable result was a second and first in the 1977 Monte-Carlo rally despite a serious handicap in power against other works cars.

For 1978, a rally Group 4 (later Group B) version was introduced. It was named as the Renault 5 Turbo, but being mid-engined and rear wheel drive, this car bore little technical resemblance to the road-going version. Though retaining the shape and general look of the 5, only the door panels were shared with the standard version. Driven by Jean Ragnotti, this car won the Monte Carlo Rally for its first race in World Rally Championship. The 2WD R5 turbo soon had to face the competition of new 4WD cars that proved to be faster on dirt, however it remained among the fastest of its era on tarmac.

• Renault 5 Turbo - The Renault 5 was radically modified by mounting a turbocharged engine behind the driver in what is normally the passenger compartment, creating a mid-engined rally car.

The Renault 5 Turbo was made in many guises, eventually culminating with the Renault 5 Maxi Turbo. This car had up to 400 bhp (298 kW; 406 PS), all produced from a slightly enlarged and highly modified version of the original 1397 cc Renault 5 engine.

• Renault 5 Alpine (Renault 5 Gordini in the UK)
• Renault 5 Alpine Turbo (Renault 5 Gordini Turbo in the UK)

Many confuse the different versions of the Renault 5 Turbo, often grouping them all under the common moniker "Renault 5 Turbo". The "Renault 5 Gordini Turbo", referenced above, is the front-engined predecessor to the "Renault 5 GT Turbo". The "Renault 5 Turbo", "Renault 5 Turbo 2" and variants are the mid-engined versions with the wide wheel-arches (which are so often copied with poor-quality bodykits on second-generation Renault 5s).

[edit] Global markets

The original Renault 5 continued in production in Iran by SAIPA and Pars Khodro, as the Sepand. In 2002, the Sepand was replaced by the P.K, a car that adopted a styling reminiscent of the second generation, but still using the slightly-modified original bodywork. The P.K has been replaced by the New P.K which is a little changed in body style.

The Renault 5 was one of the first French-made cars to achieve sales success on the British market. Between 1972 and 1984, 216,199 examples of the Renault 5 were sold. However,very few Mk1 Renault 5s in Britain survive to the present day; a survey by AutoExpress Magazine found that the Renault 5 Mk1 was the fourth most-scrapped car in Britain in 2006, with just 499 still in working order anywhere in the UK.^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Second generation (1985–1996)

Renault 5 (second generation) "Supercinq"

Production	1985–1996
Assembly	Billancourt, France Valladolid, Spain Mariara, Venezuela Novo Mesto, Slovenia
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Engine(s)	1.0 L C-Type I4 1.1 L C-Type I4 1.4 L C-Type I4 1.4 L C-Type I4 Turbo 1.7 L F-Type I4 1.6 L F-Type diesel I4
Transmission(s)	3-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual

The second generation Renault 5, often referred to as the Supercinq or Superfive, appeared in 1985. Although the bodyshell was completely new (the platform was based on that of the Renault 9/11), the classic 5 styling touches were left unchanged; styling was the work of Marcello Gandini. The biggest change was the adoption of a transversely-mounted powertrain taken directly from the 9 and 11, plus a less sophisticated suspension design, which used MacPherson struts.

The second-generation R5 also spawned a panel van version, known as the Renault Express. It was commercialised in some European countries as the Renault Extra (UK) or Renault Rapid (mainly German speaking countries). This car was intended to replace the R4 F6 panel van, production of which had ceased in 1986.

A "hot hatch" version, the GT Turbo, was a car beloved of boy racers through the 1980s and 1990s. Sporting 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) in the Phase 1, the Phase 2 GT Turbo later brought 5 extra horsepower to the table, a slightly altered torque band and higher reliability. Coming from a simple 1397 cc OHV engine, this was considered quite a feat. Due to strict emission demands in certain European countries, the GT Turbo was not available everywhere. Because of this Renault decided to use the naturally aspirated 1.7 L from the Renault 19, which utilized multipoint fuel injection. Under the name GTE, it produced 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp). Although not as fast as the turbo model, it featured the same interior and exterior appearance, as well as identical suspension and brakes.

The model was starting to show its age by 1990, when it was effectively replaced by the more modern and better-built Clio, which was an instant sales success across Europe. Production of the R5 was transferred to the Revoz factory in Slovenia when the Clio was launched, and it remained on sale as a budget choice called the Campus until the car's 24-year production run finally came to an end in 1996. The Campus name was revived in 2005 with the Renault Clio II. The Renault Clio II remains in production alongside the Renault Clio III, as the R5 did with the first Renault Clio.

[edit] Chronology

• 1985: Introduction of the second-generation Renault 5 3-door Hatchback range in TC, TL, GTL, Automatic, TS and TSE forms. The entry-level TC had the 956 cc engine (rated at 42 bhp), while the TL had the 1108 cc engine (rated at 47 bhp), and the GTL, Automatic, TS and TSE had the 1397 cc engine (rated at 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp) for the GTL, 68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp) for the Automatic, and 72 PS (53 kW; 71 hp) for the TS and TSE). The TC and TL had a 4-speed manual gearbox, while the GTL, TS and TSE had a 5-speed manual gearbox (which was optional on the TL), and the Automatic had a 3-speed automatic gearbox.

• 1987: Introduction of 1721 cc F2N engine in the GTX, GTE and Baccara.

With the launch of the Renault Clio, production of the Renault 5 was transferred to the Revoz factory in Slovenia, and it remained on sale as a budget car until the model's 24-year production run finally came to an end in 1996.^[6]

[edit] Engines

Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page.

• C1C (689) 1.0 L (956 cc/58.3 cu in) 8-valve I4; 4242 PS (31 kW; 41 hp); top speed: 130 km/h (81 mph)
• C1E 1.1 L (1,108 cc/67.6 cu in) 8-valve I4; 47 PS (35 kW; 46 hp); top speed: 135 km/h (84 mph)
• C1J (847) 1.4 L (1,397 cc/85.3 cu in) 8-valve I4; 63 bhp (46 kW); top speed: 142 km/h (88 mph) (automatic)
• C6J (840) 1.4 L (1,397 cc/85.3 cu in) turbo 8-valve I4; 160 bhp (118 kW); top speed: 201 km/h (125 mph); 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 6.9 s
• F2N 1.7 L (1,721 cc/105.0 cu in) 8-valve I4; 93 bhp (67 kW); top speed: 175 km/h (109 mph); 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 8.9 s

[edit] Collectibility

The Renault 5 has achieved, like the original Mini, a cult status.^[7] The "Renault Owners Club of North America" provides support, parts and various resources for Renault owners and enthusiasts.^[8]

[edit] References

Inline

General

• Covello, Mike and Flammang, James M. (2002). Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002. Kraus Publications. ISBN 9780873416054. 

• Sparrow, David (1992). Renault 5: 'Le Car'. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1855322301. 

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Renault 5

• "Road Test - Renault 5 GT Turbo" Autocar (UK) magazine, 26 March 1986, retrieved on 1 August 2008.
• Renault 5 details (French)/(English)/(Spanish)
• First-generation Renault 5s

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Type	1940s					1950s										1960s										1970s										1980s
	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Economy car																	3 / 4		4
Supermini																												5 / 7													Super 5
Small family car		4CV										Dauphine						8/10						6								14						9/11
Large family car	Juvaquatre																							12										18								21
Executive car							Frégate														16										20/30								25
Gran Turismo																						Torino
Coupé																											15/17									Fuego
Roadster														Caravelle
Off-roader																									Rodeo 4/6												Rodeo

v • d • e « previous — Renault car timeline, 1980s–present
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
City car														Twingo														Twingo II
Supermini	5 / 7					Super 5					Clio I								Clio II / Thalia							Clio III
Small family car	14		9 / 11						19							Mégane I								Mégane II						Mégane III
					Alliance
Large family car	18						21 / Medallion								Laguna I							Laguna II							Laguna III
Executive car	20 / 30			25									Safrane									Vel Satis
Leisure activity vehicle															Kangoo I														Kangoo II
SUV																													Koleos
Mini MPV																									Modus
Compact MPV																	Scénic I						Scénic II
Large MPV					Espace I							Espace II						Espace III					Espace IV
Coupé	Fuego																					Avantime								Laguna Coupé
Roadster																Spider

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Type	1950s									1960s										1970s										1980s
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Sports	Nash-Healey																															Fuego
Subcompact				Metropolitan																									LeCar (R5)										Summit
Compact																															18i/Sportwagon						Medalion