Renault and Turbo engines: from the track to the road

Renault showcases some legendary cars at the Rétromobile show in Paris, held to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its first Formula 1 victory, which was also the first in that discipline for a turbocharged engine.

Today, turbocharged engines are the majority. This technology, which only a few years ago was very common in diesel engines, was not so common in petrol units. But increasingly strict emission regulations, and the widespread adoption of direct injection in petrol engines as well, have popularised the use of the turbocharger.

Originally, the turbocharger in petrol engines was used mainly to gain more power. Now, with “downsizing”, manufacturers have sought to use the turbo as a replacement for engine capacity, aiming for maximum efficiency. In practically any model in the Renault range, from a Twingo to an Espace, we find turbocharged engines with just 1 litre of capacity and 3 cylinders.

But, as we said, there was a time when this was not the case. We review some of the iconic Renault models that used turbocharged petrol engines, when

Renault F1 RS 10 (1979)

In 1979, French Grand Prix. Jean-Pierre Jabouille won the first Formula 1 victory for Renault with the Renault F1 RS 10, which became the first turbo-engined single-seater to cross the finish line first in a race of the premier category.

The Renault F1 RS 10 used a 90-degree V6 engine with 1,492 cm3 and two turbochargers, capable of revving up to 12,000 rpm. But it was far from plain sailing. Renault began developing this engine four years earlier, and it was first used in an Alpine A441 prototype.

Renault 18 Turbo (1980)

A saloon unique for its time. Renault dared to “tame” the turbo used in competition and offer it in a car that combined driving pleasure with astonishing performance for the era: the Renault 18 Turbo.

With a 1.6 four-cylinder engine made of aluminium, producing 110 CV, fed by a carburettor and with a Garrett turbocharger, the Renault 18 Turbo reached a top speed of 185 km/h.

Renault 5 Turbo (1980)

Based on the engine of the Renault 5 Alpine, the 1980 Renault 5 Turbo has become a true legend. And not only for its victory at the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally with Jean Ragnotti at the wheel.

In fact, the birth of this version always had competition as its starting point. Renault decided to launch the most radical version of its city car, presented in 1972, derived from the car developed to return to international rallying. It was equipped with a 1,397 cm3 engine, producing 160 CV at 6,400 rpm, which was sent to the rear wheels.

Renault 5 Alpine Turbo (1981)

The Renault 5 Alpine, launched in 1976, was the sportiest version in the range, until the arrival of the Renault 5 Alpine Turbo in 1981. A Garrett T3 turbocharger was added to the 1.4-litre engine, although the lack of space prevented fitting an intercooler as well. Power rose from 93 to 110 CV, with 30% more maximum torque.

The Renault 5 Alpine Turbo was the sportiest car of its size on the market, with a top speed of 185 km/h. At the same time, it was a model capable of offering a degree of comfort for daily use, thanks to the smoothness and pleasant driving character of its Turbo engine.

Renault Fuego Turbo (1983)

Renault decided to add a high-performance version to the range of its coupé, the Renault Fuego, presented in 1980, which already had a turbodiesel variant. The chosen engine, naturally, was the 1,565 cm3 unit from the Renault 18 Turbo.

The difference was that while the saloon was designed as a compromise between performance and fuel economy, the Renault Fuego Turbo had to satisfy lovers of strong sensations.

To do so, the boost pressure of the turbo was increased and both the carburation and ignition were modified, in addition to adding a fan to the intercooler. With 132 CV, the Renault Fuego reached the 200 km/h barrier.

Renault 11 Turbo (1985)

Without matching the performance of the Renault Fuego, the Renault 11 Turbo was also ahead of its time. Initially available as a three-door model, in 1985 it was launched in France with five doors, and even tried its hand at competition, with victories in the Tour de Corse and Monte Carlo in Group N.

The 1,400 cm3 engine with a Garrett T2 turbo produced 105 CV at 5,500 rpm, allowing the Renault 11 Turbo to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds. In 1987, this engine received a dose of “vitamins” to reach 115 CV. That is 15 CV less than what, for example, the current Renault TCe engine achieves, with just 1.2 litres of capacity.

In 1985, the Renault 9 also received a Turbo version with this same engine.

Renault 5 GT Turbo (1985)

Probably one of the most sought-after sports cars of the mid-1980s. The “Supercinco” GT Turbo took over from the Renault 5 Alpine Turbo. It was equipped with the same engine as the Renault 11 Turbo, with some modifications, such as a water-cooled intake manifold and a specific lubrication system.

With its 115 CV at 5,750 rpm, the Renault 5 GT Turbo reached 200 km/h. It was the basis for the successful “Renault 5 GT Cup”, and went down in history as a true “giant-killer”, capable of showing up more powerful and, on paper, sportier cars. That said, you needed a delicate touch to keep it straight, as the engine’s vigour was well beyond the capabilities of its chassis.

Renault 21 Turbo (1987)

At the end of the 1980s it was hard to find a saloon from a mainstream brand with the figures offered by the Renault 21 Turbo, which also featured four-wheel drive. After all, there had to be a way to ensure the engine’s power reached the tarmac effectively. It matched the performance of cars such as the BMW 325i or the Mercedes E 2.3 16V.

The Renault 21 Turbo used a 1,995 cm3 engine with 175 CV (slightly less in the versions with a catalytic converter, which was already becoming a necessity). The Garrett T3 turbocharger was already water-cooled and had electronic control, as did the injection. The twin intercoolers and the thermal management system were based on those used in F1.

Jean Ragnotti won a French touring car championship at the controls of a competition version of the R-21 Turbo, which reached 430 CV.

Renault Safrane biturbo (1993)

They nicknamed it “the snowplough” because of its prominent front bumper. But the Safrane biturbo was a very serious saloon. Its 3-litre twin-turbo V6 engine was very similar to the one used in the Alpine A610, with specific development by the German specialists Hartge, plus collaboration from Irmscher on the chassis.

With 268 CV at 5,500 rpm and maximum torque of 365 Nm at 2,500 rpm, it used two small KKK K04 turbochargers. This model reached a top speed of 250 km/h. It featured permanent four-wheel drive and adaptive suspension.

Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy (2018)

With 1,798 cm3, 300 CV and 420 Nm of torque in the version with the EDC dual-clutch gearbox, the Trophy’s engine receives specific tuning compared with the one used in the Alpine A110 and Mégane R.S. It forms one of the most exciting variants, carrying the “Trophy” name, offered since the first generation of the Mégane R.S.

And not just because of its engine. The “Trophy” Mégane models include a Cup chassis with a Torsen differential, 4CONTROL four-wheel drive, and specifically tuned brakes and damping… All to get the most out of an engine capable of delivering maximum performance on the track, and efficiency and driving pleasure in everyday use.