The Renault 5 was produced from 1972 until 1992.
1972
In 1972 the R 5 was introduced in two versions;
- The 5 L, with a 782 cc engine and 36 SAE HP.
- The 5 TL, with the R8 956 cc engine and 48 SEA HP.
1973
The only change in 1973 was the option to have the gear change in the floor, the first models had a dash shift like the Renault 4.
1974
In 1974 the 5 LS was introduced. The LS had the engine of the Renault 12, 1289 cc. But used a double carburetor that resulted in 64 DIN HP.
1975
No changes were made to the models only the LS was renamed TS.
1976
The L,TL and TS were unchanged, but two new models were added;
- The GTL, the car had the same 1289 cc engine as the TS. Only it was less powerful, 42 DIN HP.
- Also one of the most fun cars ever build was introduced, the 5 ALPINE (Gordini in the UK). This car had a 1397 cc engine producing 93 DIN HP. The car used the gearbox of the R 16 TX.
1977
For 1977 Renault didn't make any changes to the R5 program.
1978
In 1978 several changes were made to the program;
- The 5 L was renamed 5.
- A new model the 5 Automatic was introduced at the Brussels car saloon. The model had the 1289 cc engine that produced 55 DIN HP.
- In march the TS was replaced by a Special Edition the 'MONTE-CARLO'. The car was in a special yellow red color scheme. It was introduced to celebrate the results Ragnotti and Frequelin had in Rally's with the R5.
- The 5 Alpine got new wheels.
1979
The regular program of the R5 didn't change. Only a new Special Edition was added. The R 5 'LE CAR'. This car was based on the TS, and looked like an American R5. Only 6000 were to be build.
More hot news came from the 5 Turbo prototype. A R 5 with a turbo mid-engine and a top speed over 200 km/h.
1980
The Renault 5 had up until 1980 only been build in a 3 doors version. In 1980 the 5 doors version was added, only to the 5, 5 TL and GTL. The 5 TS 5 Automatic and 5 Alpine were only as 3 doors model available.
The engines in the TL and GTL version were changed to the 1108 cc engine, well known from the R8 and R4, which produced 45 DIN HP.
1981
The 5 Automatic was also sold as 5 doors model from 1981. Now only the 5 TS and 5 Alpine were only available as 3 doors.
Ohhh....and Renault introduced The R 5 TURBO
A R 5 with a 1397 cc engine. The engine produced, thanks to a turbo, 160 DIN HP. It had RWD and the engine build in the middle. This first phase had a dashboard with 9 clocks and very different from the standard cars.
The car won the 1981 rally of Monte Carlo, driven by Jean Ragnotti and Jean-Marc Andrie.
1982
Now all the R 5 Turbo's were sold Renault decided to equip the 5 Alpine with a turbo charger. This resulted in the R 5 Alpine Turbo, with the same 1397 cc engine with 110 DIN HP.
Also the TX was introduced, a very luxurious edition of the R 5.
1983
The standard 5's got a new front spoiler. Also the TX was equipped with an automatic gearbox.
Also the new R 5 Turbo 2 was introduced. It was not as special as the first phase, it had a standard dashboard and special body panels.
1984
1984 was the last year for the MK I Renault 5. Despite the fact that the car would be replaced by a new model all models from 1983 are unchanged and available.
The only change is the replacement, in April 1984, of the R 5 Alpine turbo by the R 5 Laureate Turbo. Which is a less expensive version of the car.
1985
SUPERCINQ, plus cinq que la 5
In 1984 the R 5 changed form R5 to 'superfive' a complete redesigned. Not a single body part was the same but style the car was a good resemblance to the phase I R5.
The Superfive was presented at the Paris Motor show of 1984 but it took several months before the superfive was available. Until the new car was available the R5 was sold in the following models;
- R 5 Laureatte, 3/5 doors, 956 cc.
- R 5 Laureatte TL, 3/5 doors, 1108 cc.
- R5 Laureatte GTL, 5 doors, 1108cc.
- R 5 Laureatte Turbo, 3 doors 1397cc.
- R 5 Turbo 2, 1397cc.
1986
In this year it is the first full year of the superfive. Renault is planning for a very complete model line, starting with a modest TC until a luxurious GT Turbo, including a Diesel and automatic.
There is even a prototype for a cabrio presented at the Geneva motor show in March 1986, build by the Belgium coach builder EBS. But Renault didn't take the cabrio to production. The cabrio was made by order by EBS.
The superfive was available in the following models;
- R 5 C, 3 doors 956 cc.
- R 5 TC, 3/5 doors 956 cc.
- R 5 GL, 3/5 doors 1108 cc.
- R 5 GTL 1.1, 3/5 doors 1108 cc.
- R 5 GTL 1.4, 3/5 doors 1397 cc.
- R5 Automatic, 3/5 doors 1397 cc.
- R 5 TS, 3 doors 1397 cc.
- R 5 GTS, 5 doors 1397 cc.
- R 5 TSE, 3 doors 1397 cc.
- R 5 GT Turbo, 3 doors 1397 cc.
- R 5 Turbo 2, 1397 cc.
- R 5 TD, 3/5 doors 1595 cc diesel 55 DIN HP.
- R 5 GTD, 5 doors 1595 cc diesel 55 DIN HP.
1987
Nothing new compared to the 1986 models. Except the R 5 Turbo 2 production has stopped.
Also the GT Turbo gets an upgrade, better engine, cooling, an styling upgrade.
1988
The first real changes to the superfive range,
- The R 5c, TC, GL, GTL 1.1 and GTL 1.4 disappear. They are replaced with the R 5 Five, R 5 SL and R 5 TL all with the 1108 cc engine and available in 3 and 5 doors version.
- The TR and GTR range are added, these models are powered by a 1237 cc engine and available in 3 and 5 doors.
- The TS and GTS are replaced by a GTS in 3 and 5 doors version.
- The GTX is added to the model line, it is a 3/5 doors version. Powered by a 1721 cc engine.
- A super luxe model is added the Baccara, based on the 3 doors GTX or 3 doors Automatic.
- The GT Turbo is unchanged since 1987, so nothing new here.
- The diesel range is upgraded with a 3 doors R 5 SD version and the TD and GTD versions are now available in 3 and 5 doors.
Also two special models are available in 1988, the NRJ and the Schuss.
1989
No changes in the program, all the same as 1988.
1990
Nothing new in the models since 1988 only the all models, except the R 5 Five and R 5 GT Turbo, are renamed R 5 Saga.
And a special version of the GT Turbo was produced, the 'Bleu Sport'.
1991
End of the line for the R 5 the Clio is introduced. There are still several R 5 versions available,
- R 5 Five, 3/5 doors 1108 cc.
- R 5 Automatic, 3/5 doors 1397 cc.
- R 5 GT Turbo, 3 doors 1397 cc.
- R 5 five D, 3/5 doors 1595 cc.
1992
The clio has taken over.........
The only R 5 models available are the R 5 Five and the R 5 Five TD, in 3 and 5 doors version.
After 20 years the last versions are of the car are produced, let's see if the clio can keep on going that long..........
