Vehicle Description
-Metallic Black/Beige
-Recent mechanical work
-~29,400km indicated
-Buyer must do their due diligence if considering purchase for
California usage
"For Sale: 38-Year-Old French Hatchback"
Those words might strike fear into less-hearty folks, but your ears
perk up. Could that French hatchback have a turbocharged 1.4-liter
engine mounted midships driving the rear wheels through a
five-speed transaxle? Is it twelve feet long? Is it... an R5 Turbo
2?!?
Yes, it is, and a low-kilometer example. Not only is it
low-kilometer, but it was also owned previously by racing driver
and team owner Willi Kauhsen.
This car is in exceptional original shape. The exterior presents
well and is tidy, if not unblemished. While not a concours-winner,
it would contend for the preservation class. Seals and lenses are
in exceptional shape for the year. The glasses are in exceptional
shape and the windshield does not exhibit pitting or wiper wear.
The exterior trim has not suffered any damage from sun exposure or
weathering and the rear exhaust skirt is present and accounted for.
The wheels have minor corrosion blemishes.
For the 1982 model year, Renault toned back the rather extreme
interior of the Turbo and replaced it with the interior from the
standard 5. This was not just 70s enthusiasm waning, it was a
calculated decision to reduce the cost of the car. This car's beige
interior is in exceptional shape. The seats exhibit no tears and
are in excellent physical and mechanical condition, with minor
upholstery sag. The carpet is not pristine but is also in great
shape for its age. The steering wheel and dash are unmarked and
pleasantly laid-out. The gauges are bright and functional. The
front trunk is clean, and this car has its hard-to-find spare wheel
and tire. The optional power windows are fully functional.
The 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder starts quickly and runs
strong. It shifts into all five forward gears and reverse quickly
and without clashing. The clutch action is strong, the braking
immediate, and the suspension superb. The ride is a bit brittle
around town (the location of the engine necessitated a switch to
coilovers in the rear) but smooths out on the road and the steering
is light, feelsome, and eager.
This R5 Turbo 2 is an exceptional example of an iconic French
performance car.
Over the past eleven years, the car has had many parts replaced.
Here is a year-by-year break-down of the replaced parts:
2010
Fuel filter
Fuel line, filter to accumulator
Fuel line, accumulator to pump
Fuel lines, injectors, complete, Aeroquip
Spark plugs
Injection boot o-ring
Fuel distributor diaphragm
Fuel pump seals
Fuel distributor kit
Fuel level sender x2
Suction hoses
Fuel tank connection hose kit
Air filter
Oil filter
Tachometer relay
2011
Fuel injector x4
Reinforced valve cover gasket
Valve cover sealing washers
Accessory belt
Water pump
Water pump gasket
Tachometer relay
SPI seal gearbox outlet x2
2012
Fuel accumulator
Hot air extraction fan
Tailgate damper
2013
Brackets for front anti-roll bar
Front anti-roll bar bushings
Rear anti-roll bar bushings
2015
Wheel nuts x4
Wheel center caps x2
Washer pump
Brake fluid reservoir cap
Front tires
2017
User's manual
Brake master cylinder
Renault emblem
Turbo 2 emblem
2020
Fuel hose kit with strainer
Accessory belt
Fuel tank connection hose kit
Viton hose between buffer tank and Y to fuel filler