Classic cars with history: Renault 21 Turbo, a saloon with plenty of character

The Renault 21 Turbo has been one of the saloons with the most character. This model became the envy of most drivers and today it is one of the most sought-after Renault. It was launched in 1988 and featured a turbocharged version of the 2.0-litre engine producing 175 CV. One of its strong points? Its lightness.

The Renault 21 Turbo was different from its siblings. It had a very distinctive front end, dominated by double-parabola headlights, a double grille, and a lower-set front bumper with a lip. In addition, the saloon had an aerodynamic kit made up of side skirts, sill extensions, a rear bumper and spoiler, and alloy wheels with a turbine design and a twin exhaust outlet.

Renault 21 Turbo 2L ABS

The Renault 21 Turbo stood out for its sporty style, delivering 175 CV and 270 Nm of maximum torque. It could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 230 km/h. For context, a BMW M3 E30 reached 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, while the Mercedes-Benz 190 2.5 16v did it in 7.6 seconds. This engine was paired with a five-speed manual gearbox based on that of the Renault 21 TXE.

The first phase of the Renault 21 Turbo was available for one year, as in 1989 the second phase was launched and remained on sale until 1993. This facelift was somewhat less aggressive and had lost the characteristic personality of the French saloon. It is true that four-wheel drive was added on the Quadra versions. Nevertheless, it still offered a very light kerb weight of 1,200 kg and a length of 4.49 metres.

The interior of the R21 Turbo stood out for its three-spoke sports steering wheel, an analogue instrument cluster with plenty of information, a turbo boost pressure gauge, an on-board computer and really comfortable sports seats. Test drivers said it was one of the best sporty saloons on the market. Its precise steering and cornering behaviour were excellent. Its weak points? Turbo lag and a certain lack of braking power. They also said it was a saloon with two faces: before reaching 3,500 rpm it was a pleasant car, but once past that point it became a true missile.

The Renault 21 2L Turbo ABS featured a new, firmer suspension designed to offer better dynamics. It was front-wheel drive and fitted with tyres of a larger section, reaching 195 mm in width.