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Photo of a Renault 5

Renault 5

The 1972 Renault 5 whose polyester bumpers could take a 7 km/h hit.12

Researched October 30, 2026 from 32 sources

Also called

  • SupercarPublicis artistic director Simone Guibert devised this name for the Renault 5's advertising persona.3
  • Le CarA North American marketing identity introduced after disappointing early sales.1
  • SupercinqThe second-generation name, used from 1984 to 1996.1
  • Renault GoIts Japanese name uses the Japanese word for five.1

At a glance

0100200
33.5–160 hpPower
07501,500
730–1,449 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.121819

Engine
Gasoline I4s: 782–1721 cc; diesel: 1595 cc; E-Tech: wound-rotor motor1121516
Layout
R5/Supercinq: FWD; Turbo: mid-engine, RWD1
Gearbox
4/5-speed manuals; R5: 3-speed auto; E-Tech: reduction gear112
Built at
R5/Supercinq: Flins; Turbo: Alpine Dieppe; E-Tech: Douai, France61217
Units built
1972–1985 R5: 5.5 million; 1984–1996 Super 5: 3,436,650136

The story

Pierre Dreyfus wanted a compact car for young people, women and small families. Michel Boué shaped Project 122 into the Renault 5, launched in 1972 with reinforced polyester bumpers.124

1967: Project 122 takes shape19671972: Polyester bumpers take the knocks19721977: America gets Le Car19771984: Gandini redraws the 5 as Supercinq19841987: GT Turbo Phase 2 reaches 118 hp19871996: The final Super 5 says Bye Bye19962024: The 5 returns on electric power20242025: Car of the Year with Alpine A29020252026: Five gains LFP and DC charging2026 Renault 4: 1961–1994Renault 4Renault 5 (first generation): 1972–1985Renault 5 Supercinq: 1984–1996Renault Clio: Introduced 1990Renault ClioRenault 5 E-Tech electric: 2024–present 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones14612131424
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1961–1994Renault 4
1972–1985Renault 5 (first generation)
1984–1996Renault 5 Supercinq
Introduced 1990Renault Clio
2024–presentRenault 5 E-Tech electric
1967Project 122 takes shape
1972Polyester bumpers take the knocks
1977America gets Le Car
1984Gandini redraws the 5 as Supercinq
1987GT Turbo Phase 2 reaches 118 hp
1996The final Super 5 says Bye Bye
2024The 5 returns on electric power
2025Car of the Year with Alpine A290
2026Five gains LFP and DC charging
  1. 1967

    Project 122 takes shape

    Michel Boué's sketches shape a small, versatile car. Pierre Dreyfus's brief calls for appeal to young people, women and small families.24

  2. 1972

    Polyester bumpers take the knocks

    Launched on January 28, the 5 has bumpers rated for 7 km/h impacts. It becomes France's best-selling car from 1972 to 1986.12

  3. 1977

    America gets Le Car

    After disappointing North American sales, Renault gives the 5 a new US marketing identity: Le Car.15

  4. 1984

    Gandini redraws the 5 as Supercinq

    Marcello Gandini reshapes the 5 as the Supercinq; a transverse engine replaces the original longitudinal installation.67

  5. 1987

    GT Turbo Phase 2 reaches 118 hp

    Phase 2 pairs a water-cooled turbo with 118 hp. Measured 0–100 km/h improves from Phase 1's 8.6 seconds to 8.4.8910

  6. 1996

    The final Super 5 says Bye Bye

    The Bye Bye farewell series goes on sale in March. In July, the last Super 5 is assembled in Slovenia, ending production.6

  7. 2024

    The 5 returns on electric power

    Renault 5 E-Tech debuts at Geneva, shaped by design chiefs Gilles Vidal and Laurens van den Acker; it uses the EV-only AmpR Small platform.1112

  8. 2025

    Car of the Year with Alpine A290

    Renault 5 E-Tech and Alpine A290 share the European award with 353 points from a jury of 60 journalists in 23 countries.13

  9. 2026

    Five gains LFP and DC charging

    A new Five is announced with 110 hp, a 36.5 kWh LFP battery and 80 kW DC charging for up to 305 km WLTP; the 52 kWh version reaches 430 km.14

Every generation

  • Renault 4
    Renault 41961–1994
  • Renault 6
    Renault 6
  • Renault 5 (first generation)
    Renault 5 (first generation)1972–1985
  • Renault 5 Supercinq
    Renault 5 Supercinq1984–1996
  • Renault Clio
    Renault ClioIntroduced 1990
  • Renault 5 E-Tech electric
    Renault 5 E-Tech electric2024–present

Power over the years

From 44 hp to 160 hp in 8 years.

050100150200 197019801990200020102020 hp 1972 · 44 hp · TL, 956 cc; front discs1974 · 63 hp · LS/TS, 1289 cc1976 · 42 hp · GTL, 1289 cc1976 · 92 hp · Alpine, 1.4 L1978 · 55 hp · Automatic, 1289 cc1980 · 160 hp · Turbo, mid-engine and rear drive1982 · 110 hp · Alpine Turbo, 1.4 L1985 · 115 hp · Supercinq GT Turbo1987 · 118 hp · GT Turbo Phase 22024 · 148 hp · E-Tech, 110 kW motor2026 · 110 hp · Five, LFP battery announced 160 hp Turbo, mid-engine and rear drive 44 hp TL, 956 cc; front discs
128912141820
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
197244TL, 956 cc; front discs
197463LS/TS, 1289 cc
197642GTL, 1289 cc
197692Alpine, 1.4 L
197855Automatic, 1289 cc
1980160Turbo, mid-engine and rear drive
1982110Alpine Turbo, 1.4 L
1985115Supercinq GT Turbo
1987118GT Turbo Phase 2
2024148E-Tech, 110 kW motor
2026110Five, LFP battery announced

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • L / TL / GTL / European Le Car / Lauréate

    Standard

    L / TL / GTL / European Le Car / Lauréate

  • Supercinq Five / Campus / Saga / Bye-Bye

    Standard

    Supercinq Five / Campus / Saga / Bye-Bye

  • E-Tech Five / Evolution / Techno / Iconic Cinq

    Standard

    E-Tech Five / Evolution / Techno / Iconic Cinq

    2026

  • GT Turbo

    Performance

    GT Turbo

    1985–1991

  • Supercinq Baccara / Monaco / Exclusiv / Limited

    Special

    Supercinq Baccara / Monaco / Exclusiv / Limited

  • GT Turbo Alain Oreille / Raider

    Limited

    GT Turbo Alain Oreille / Raider

    1989–1991

  • Turbo 3E

    Limited

    Turbo 3E

    2027 (announced)

    540 hp
  • Turbo

    Racing

    Turbo

    160 hp
  • Le Car Van / EBS cabriolet

    Special

    Le Car Van / EBS cabriolet

  • Turbo 2 Type 8221

    Racing

    Turbo 2 Type 8221

    1984

    200 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Original R5: upright taillights sit below ventilation slits beside a wide, low-opening hatch.4
  • Original R5: recessed door grips hide in cutouts just behind the front doors.1
  • Supercinq: a longer, wider, lower R5 shape, with slightly larger windows and a lower nose.6
  • E-Tech: the old hood-vent position becomes a glowing charge display shaped like a 5.12

Year by year

  1. 1972–1973

    Launch cars used a dashboard gear lever; in 1973 it moved to the floor between the front seats.1

  2. 1979

    The original R5 gained five-door bodywork in July; the extra rear doors identify the newer body style.1

  3. 1980–1981 (Le Car)

    North American Le Car switched from round sealed-beam lights to rectangular units for 1980; five-door Deluxe followed in 1981.15

  4. 1983 (Turbo 2)

    Turbo 2 brought black bumpers across all colors and replaced the Bertone cabin with the R5 Alpine Turbo interior.1723

  5. 1987–1988

    Supercinq's grille badge moved right for 1988; GT Turbo gained body-color trim and five-spoke wheels, losing fake rear-arch ducts.6810

  6. 2026 (E-Tech)

    Revised lower-body aerodynamics and mirrors; new choices include Flame Red, Warm Titanium wheels and roof/wing decals.14

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Renault 5
    5
    Photo of a Renault 7
    Renault 7

    Renault 7

    Look for a four-door sedan body on the Renault 7; the R5 ends in a hatch.1

  • Photo of a Renault 5
    5
    Photo of a Peugeot 205
    Peugeot 205

    Peugeot 205

    The Super 5 has a similar wedge-shaped nose; Renault 5 lettering on the rear is the giveaway.6

  • Photo of a Renault 5
    5
    Photo of a North American Le Car
    North American Le Car

    North American Le Car

    Larger bumpers and a different grille distinguish Le Car; early cars have round headlights, replaced by rectangular units for 1980.15

Against its rivals

  • VW Golf GTI

    5 vs VW Golf GTI

    Top speed

    5186 km/h
    VW Golf GTI181 km/h
    25
  • Peugeot 205 GTI (1.6)

    5 vs Peugeot 205 GTI (1.6)

    Power

    5115 hp
    Peugeot 205 GTI (1.6)105 hp
    8

  • 5 vs Hyundai Inster (49 kWh)

    Mixed-route range

    5325 km
    Hyundai Inster (49 kWh)348 km
    19

Prices

Value today $3.0K–$145.0K2930

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K$1M 19801990200020102020 Value today: $3,000–$145,000 1976 · $3,295 · US base, TL1978 · $3,970 · US GTL Deluxe, no options1983 · $4,795 · US base three-door1983 · $4,995 · US Deluxe three-door1983 · $5,295 · US Deluxe five-door 1976 · $3295 · US base price, 1976 model year 2024 · $3,000 · 1978 Le Car Black Beauty project, 97k miles, BaT2024 · $145,000 · 1981 R5 Turbo 1, 79k km, BaT2025 · $112,000 · 1983 5 Turbo 2, 72k km, BaT2026 · $121,000 · 1985 Turbo 2 Type 8221, 28k km shown, BaT2026 · $26,500 · 1982 5 Alpine Turbo, 57k km, BaT $145.0K BaT, 2024
52329303132
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1976Launch price$3,295US base price, 1976 model year
1976Price when new$3,295US base, TL
1978Price when new$3,970US GTL Deluxe, no options
1983Price when new$4,795US base three-door
1983Price when new$4,995US Deluxe three-door
1983Price when new$5,295US Deluxe five-door
2024Auction sale$3,0001978 Le Car Black Beauty project, 97k miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$145,0001981 R5 Turbo 1, 79k km, BaT
2025Auction sale$112,0001983 5 Turbo 2, 72k km, BaT
2026Auction sale$121,0001985 Turbo 2 Type 8221, 28k km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$26,5001982 5 Alpine Turbo, 57k km, BaT
2026Value today$3,000–$145,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “353 points and a shared 2025 crown”
    • “Monte Carlo in 1981, Corsica in 1985”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 32 sources
  1. Renault 5 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Renault 5, Supercar of the seventies and eighties renaultgroup.com
  3. Renault 5 celebrates its 50th anniversary renault.co.uk
  4. 40 Jahre Renault 5 - Renault Deutschland Presse-Service presse.renault.de
  5. Cheap Wheels: 1976-1983 Renault 5/Le Car | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® blog.consumerguide.com
  6. Renault Super 5 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. Renault 5 kaufen: Ratgeber autozeitung.de
  8. Renault 5 GT Turbo (1985-1991) review – the ultimate foil for Peugeot's 205 GTI | evo evo.co.uk
  9. Renault 5 GT Turbo buying guide, history and review - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  10. RENAULT 5 GT TURBO (1985-1990) - GUIDE OCCASION automobile-sportive.com
  11. The new Renault 5 E-Tech Electric’s design secrets and designer dreams revealed | Wallpaper* wallpaper.com
  12. Renault 5 E-Tech electric: the electric & renaulutionary pop icon - Renault global media website media.renault.com
  13. Renault 5 E-Tech electric : Car of the Year 2025 - Renault global media website media.renault.com
  14. The Renault 5 E-Tech electric range gains fresh appeal with greater efficiency, range and versatility right from entry-level, along with new colours and features - Renault global media website media.renault.com
  15. La supercinq – Le Club Supercinq leclubsupercinq.fr
  16. Kaufberatung: Renault 5 Exclusiv - AUTO BILD KLASSIK autobild.de
  17. RENAULT 5 Turbo / Turbo 2 (1980-1986) - COLLECTOR automobile-sportive.com
  18. Renault 5 Turbo: review, history and specs of an icon | evo evo.co.uk
  19. Hyundai Inster vs Renault 5 e-Tech : consommation, autonomie, recharge, voici toutes nos mesures ! automobile-propre.com
  20. 1980 Renault 5 Turbo 1 | Villa Erba 2019 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  21. Game, 5 and match, Renault electrifies Roland-Garros - Renault global media website media.renault.com
  22. Renault 5 Turbo 3E, the legend returns in the form of the very first electric “mini-supercar” - Renault global media website media.renault.com
  23. 1985 Renault R5 Turbo 2 Type 8221 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $121,000 on February 17, 2026 (Lot #230,287) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  24. Renault 4 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  25. David gegen Goliath: Renault 5 Alpine Turbo vs. VW Golf GTI autozeitung.de
  26. Tour de Corse - Rallye de France - 1985 rallyecorse.com
  27. Group En-ergy ! January 1990 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  28. Forza Horizon 5 Confirmed Car List | Forza forza.net
  29. No Reserve: 1978 Renault Le Car Black Beauty Edition Project for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $3,000 on June 21, 2024 (Lot #151,633) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. No Reserve: 1981 Renault R5 Turbo 1 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $145,000 on January 29, 2024 (Lot #134,790) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 1982 Renault 5 Alpine Turbo for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $26,500 on April 21, 2026 (Lot #238,890) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 1983 Renault 5 Turbo 2 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $112,000 on December 24, 2025 (Lot #224,796) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • renaultgroup.com
  • renault.co.uk
  • presse.renault.de
  • blog.consumerguide.com
  • autozeitung.de
  • evo.co.uk
  • octane-magazine.com
  • automobile-sportive.com
  • wallpaper.com
  • media.renault.com
  • leclubsupercinq.fr
  • autobild.de
  • automobile-propre.com

Photo credits

Other car files