The Renault R5 Turbo is smoking hot | Revelations with Jason Cammisa | Ep. 01

The Renault 5 Turbo is hot-hatch fire: imagine if today's hot-hatches out-accelerated and out-handled today's mid-engine Ferraris. The R5 Turbo beat up on the contemporary Ferrari 308 - as well as every other supercar - by moving its turbocharged engine to the back, where rear seats used to be.
Compare that to enthusiast cars like today's Volkswagen Golf R, which is merely a GTI+. VW, too, built a mid-engine, rear-drive GTI, the W12-650. But the Germans built one as a marketing exercise. The French put their Le Supercar into production and sold thousands of them to the lucky public.
The photo car is a Renault R5 Turbo 2 Evolution, owned by Bring-a-Trailer cofounder Randy Nonnenberg. The Evo added back in the aluminum bits lost in the switch from Turbo to Turbo 2, and had a bespoke engine with a fractionally larger displacement. For homologation purposes, of course - because this was a WRC rally car.
And what a car it was.
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[@GartenhausLP]

My mom is a Group B fanatic who just won't shut up about it. We have a white and yellow Renault 5 Turbo and a Martini Lancia Delta in the garage, both of which she probably loves more than our entire family combined. When she picked me up at school with one of them back in the day I was always embarrassed because these little boxes are loud af and she doesn't go easy on them. In hindsight that was pretty dope.

[@MohamedTarikRochdi]

Your mum knows her stuff! These cars were built for insane driving, they come to their own only when you're redlining.

[@fordf-2505]

Your mom sounds awesome!

[@darklord-lg2rg]

Definitely vehicles I wish my mom owned. My mom dropped me off to school in a 92 ford mustang lx with a 2.3 & a 5 speed manual. Thankfully everybody just thought it was cool because it was a mustang lol

[@blerst7066]

Sounds like a cool mom

[@CommieGIR]

Your mom is REALLY cool.

[@Isaac862]

"...The embarrassingly titled; LeCar" LaFerrari design team: "Write that down! Write that down!"

[@niksarass]

Bugatti "La voiture noire" (the black car)

[@armadillolover99]

@@niksarass That one is actually named after the missing Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic (the name is a mouthful and most people just call them “Atlantic”), it’s widely considered one of the most beautiful cars ever made and Jean Bugatti considered that specific chassis to be his greatest creation

[@ChristopherMcBean]

HAHAHA

[@ItsMorbinTime03]

LeCar incident

[@BrawndoQC]

hahaha. And LaFerrari sounds dumber than LeCar if you speak French. It's like GM did a "Chevrolet the Chevrolet". In Canada it was Renault 5, they didn't have the LeCar branding.

[@hakukuze7947]

The most uplifting car show ever. Just love how Jason has fun with it.

[@nirbhayatiwari5425]

And it is still the best car episode on KZbin

[@assai74]

Got goosebumps. My parents had a dark blue 5 Turbo with 105 hp. Man, even my pedestrian mother could not hold back to spool up the turbo just for the sensation. I loved to be in this tiny rocket as a kid. As a passenger you did not feel turbo lag - just the boost like a slingshot.

[@salikraees9690]

Budget Adam Sandler has evolved into mid-range Adam Sandler.

[@JasonCammisa]

I’m framing this comment and putting it on my bedroom wall.

[@abalakrishnan4152]

@@JasonCammisa lolol! Free but still even higher budget than Sandler. Keep doing what you're doing Jason!!

[@Robert-Cinque777]

@@JasonCammisa mach mal ne Folge auf Deutsch, Bitte😊

[@Hakuna_My_Tatas]

More like an AlieExpress order of Ben Afleck

[@thenotanclan]

Let’s just settle on a dollar store Ryan Reynolds and leave it at that - my work here is done - we can all go home now

[@pirkkaruuska5766]

Hagerty is going to crush the youtube car scene in 2021.

[@nickpappas4133]

Yep, and think they have Magnus Walker tomorrow

[@leesouthcoasteastsussex1898]

I doubt it!!?

[@YETICOPTER]

they're peerless in terms of video quality

[@fm-pj7th]

I wish you were right, but the internets are not about quality and probably never were. This about Doubt deMuro with his 4 million subscribers as compared to this channel with 1.7M

[@seabiscuit726142]

You meant...Adam Sandler?

[@eTiMaGo]

Love love love this video :D I'm a literal French 80s kid, and both the R5 Turbo and the 205 Turbo were my absolute dream cars. My dad used to take me spectate the rallies where we lived, so I got to see them in their natural element (I was just a toddler though, but my dad likes to bring up the anecdote that I would recognize the car by their sponsors, such as "R5 Daddy's Beer!" :D

[@howey935]

My mother used to work for a Peugeot Talbot dealer and the owner had 2 205 dimma’s 1 was a 1.9 injection but the other was 1.9 turbo. The injection was in graphite grey and the turbo was in metallic blue. The boss asked my mother to go to the tax office (and take his car the dimma turbo) which was in Middlesbrough and that was 18 miles away from the garage and my mother set off back from the tax office at 2pm exactly and she was back at the garage at 2:14 and she said the car could of done it even faster.

[@theaceofgame1]

Man, I used to sit in the passenger seat of a turbo 2 during the Var rally on the demonstration stages with my step-dad and with his A110 and saxo vts, those are still my best memories to this day. Today I drive a 306 xsi 6 and a del sol vti, I really hope that one day i could afford one of these, it would be my dream😊

[@rekleif]

I really love seeing Jason back at doing what he does best; telling automotive stories. Thank you Hagerty.

[@gtoger]

Yay, Cammisa is back. And on the Hagerty channel, to boot. Rad.

[@JasonCammisa]

Thanks, all! 🤜

[@BlueRidgePhantom]

@@JasonCammisa looking forward to the next one.

[@sp129]

@@JasonCammisa Welcome back! Awaiting the BRZ Revelation.

[@Goooooo]

Back with a bang! What a great le car!

[@1Also]

Does Cammisa translate to “doesn’t know sh¡t about cars”?

[@davidpeter7747]

I'm french and so pleased hearing all the good stuff and craziness you said. Felt good thanks.

[@hauke4651]

Im pleased a french respond in English 😉

[@davidpeter7747]

@@hauke4651 😊 funny story is since I'm kid I wanted to speak English, loved the sound, but I'm terrible at learning with books. Decided 10 years ago to move in another country where I'll have to be forced to use English daily. The only ones on that planet who wanted me are.... the Quebecois 😂 the only ones who do not want to speak English 🤣 I'm calling it: the maximum pain in the ass law 😁 I did the move, Montreal is basically bilingual 😜 but do not tell Pro French Quebecois they hate me.

[@hauke4651]

@@davidpeter7747 I swear , I’ll keep my lips close ! It’s our little secret 🤣

[@Bas_Lightyear]

I thought the patent for being miserable belonged to us Brits?

[@hauke4651]

@@Bas_Lightyear that’s sooooo selfish …why must it always be a Brit who claims a record ?😅

[@YO3HJV]

Had one in my 20's in 1990... It was like riding a rocket.

[@kevinruiter8715]

Why did you do it away

[@YO3HJV]

@@kevinruiter8715 i try to explain in English sorry if something is lost in translation... I ran the engine beyond the maximum value on the tachometer and twisted the valves when I was stuck in the snow. A friend, an excellent mechanic, helped me fix it. Immediately after it was ready, shortly before taking it from the repair shop, two thieves stole it, were chased by the Police, shots were fired, some holes went into the hatchback, car crashed into a pole. I fixed it again, sold it in '92 or '93. That car was cursed but it was awesome.

[@YO3HJV]

I forgot to write about how I got it... A friend get back in Romania after the Revolution and asked me if I want a nice car. It was crashed, in former Yugoslavia. My mother had to go there with a platform and get it in Romania. I was conscripted in the Army then :-)

[@harmankardon987987]

@@YO3HJV so cool story!

[@siddhantrs4545]

@@YO3HJV woah long journey your car had

[@bicyclist2]

I loved this car as soon as I read about them in car magazines in the 80's. James Bond helped make this car famous in the movie "Never Say Never Again" as the female baddie chased him around in a red one of these. I just wish that we got cars like this imported to the US. Thanks.

[@stefanthegerman3575]

The frenchs build some real awesome cars, also the peugeot 205 gti turbo 16 and the clio v6 is great

[@coom0004]

my mate has a clio v6.its.awesome, i also had a Renault 5 gt turbo back in the day but blew it up,,ha ha

[@thecideralquaeda]

How about the original A110..... there aren't enough ooooo's in WooooooF...... see Captain Flasheart in BlackAdder for an explanation...

[@mklaver31]

built*

[@moniack]

A friend of mine (sadly passed on) had a 205 GTI T16. It was insane. He would bring it to cars and coffee on Woodward. And he was French to boot.

[@patriciomunoz2830]

@@moniack that car deserves a chapter here

[@blueridgegarage]

Another great episode by Jason Cammisa

[@bighead_18]

ห9ๆ

[@ScottOrd]

The car was pretty cool too 😎

[@MrMcTavishOBS]

I’ve always loved these cars. The bonkers wide fender. The 80s turbo lag. The turbine wheels. All of it

[@VPB1970]

IT still makes me smile to watch a R5Turbo. Back in the day (80´s) those were the stuff of our dreams. I used to go to downtown Cascais (were i live) and see the cars in person (Rally de Portugal - yes....that one were people were crazy and in front of cars): the R5, the 205, the FordRS200, the quattro, the Delta, and before that, the Escorts and etc. They made the ground shake, and the sound was....music, pure "power" music. Our passion for Rallys, and F1 was immense, and we all dreamed of driving those cars. Those were the days. Really. Ps: not to mention motorcycles and the 2 stroke 500´s.....

[@eni3995]

"...meant that RWD cars would never win rallies..." Lancia 037: "Am I a joke to you?"

[@mathieud4770]

That 83 world championship... Last time a RWD won though.

[@ignacioentrocasso8171]

It was not the Lancia... It was bending the rules...

[@eni3995]

@@ignacioentrocasso8171 maybe you watched too much GRANDTOUR ? Clarkson told a lot of BS in his documentary...

[@ignacioentrocasso8171]

Can you enlighten me with a link of a video of the true story then?

[@eni3995]

@@ignacioentrocasso8171 depends on what rules you mean ?

[@pettern96]

This! This is why Jason Cammisa is one of my favourite car journalists!

[@t0nyc39]

The Godfather of the Hot Hatchback for sure! What a blast from the past. SO this is my 5th episode of this series and am now subscribed. Love this $hit!!!!

[@hagakuru]

Back in the days when I was a teenager, I soooooo wanted this car. Now 35 years later - I still want it.

[@spence6226]

Great video and production! The R5 Turbo2 is amazing to drive. We imported 4 of them back in 84/85. Three had the upgraded 185hp kit with 3 piece Gotti wheels and the fourth was a beast!.... 250hp with adj turbo boost, Devil exhaust, aluminum roof & doors, race seats, 5 point harness, upgraded brakes, 3 piece Gotti, Momo steering wheel, shortened gearing- top speed was only 135mph. Weight was around 1,750lbs and it handled like a slot car. Mulholland Drive and Ortega highway where a blast in that car! I heavily regret selling that one.

[@marc-andrerenaud1394]

Thankfully we had Renault's in Canada when I was growing up. While I was too young to drive at the drive, my father had multiples over the years and, despite the "on-paper" specs, they were the perfect zippy in-city cars and they handled like a champ when pushed. Many a donut were spun in those cars. Thanks for this memory lane video.

[@stargazeronesixseven]

Remembering the Renault R5 Turbo was the King on the Road in the 1980s & 1990s! 🕯🌷🌿🌍💖🕊🇫🇷

[@FaresDjebbar]

The production quality on this channel is insane! makes you appreciate the cars even more!

[@jacobzimmermann59]

You have to give it to Renault, they made some of the most awesomely bonkers cars ever. This one, the Clio V6, the Megane R26R and of course my favorite of all, the Espace F1. Ok that was just a one-off prototype, but it was actually fully functional and driveable. I guess will probably be another generation or two before we see another idea that could even approach its madness.

[@mike_oe]

Alpine, how could you forget Alpine?

[@jacobzimmermann59]

@@mike_oe Of course I don't forget Alpine. But if we talk about the original Alpine, it wasn't really Renault, and it wasn't a crazy idea like the above, just a perfectly engineered sports car.

[@iHelpSolveIt]

The french make awesome cars, rubbish seats

[@jacobzimmermann59]

@@iHelpSolveIt true

[@sutherlandA1]

The R5 engine does sit longitudinally but unlike an Audi it actually sits behind the front axle with transmission in front like a Saab 99/900

[@Ficon]

This is excellent. Looking forward to more great contents from the Sandler-Hagerty partnership!

[@hauke4651]

I really love the way of you presenting old cars mate ❤️ one can feel the enthusiasm all over the clips 👌🏻

[@Verithiell]

I am not even that much into cars, I dont even have a driving license, but dammit, this is hands down one of the best channels on youtube, all categories cosindered. Perfect production quality, excellent narration, its just pure gold. Thanks for making me smile and my brain rev up late at night! Stuff like this makes my day, and broadens my hobbies! I think I might dive a little into car related stuff soon.

[@gianshipton9696]

Hey Cammisa. Welcome back, missed your stuff. Greetings from South Africa.

[@JasonCammisa]

Thank you!

[@abalakrishnan4152]

He has been on The Issimi Official KZbin channel for nearly the past year! Watch his stuff there it's amazing!!

[@jasongrady4964]

I love how top notch this production is. The story and writing are compelling too!

[@sardonictut]

Truly enjoyed the episode. I appreciate the interesting approach in delivering the story behind the car and the over all fun attitude around it all. Solid stuff. Subscribed!

[@karlInSanDiego]

This was my poster car as a teen. We had one importer on the west coast, Sun, who managed to get about a dozen into the country at the time. They really are impressive to see in full race mode. We had a local, Jerry Fink, who brought one to an autocross in New Jersey. It had all the glass removed and was clearly beyond stage 1 (160hp) tune. Jerry was also an excellent driver, and it was giggle inducing to watch the R5 Turbo scoot. We had a garage box at the end with a chicane to ensure you didn't come in it too hot. Jerry managed to find a way to come in super fast, pivot the car, and jump the car into the box. It wish I'd had a smart phone back then to film it. The closest I came to driving this dream car was when we bought our Abarth 500 in 2013, which we still own. Obviously not the same thing at all, but a cheap practical car that I like to believe was in some ways inspired not just by the original 1000 Abarth, but also by Renault's bold move to pack lighting into a very cheap, very light hatch.

[@jean-pierrecayol4897]

Thank you so much for this episode. First of all you had in my tears as I was laughing so much...and I’m French! Second because I still remember the first one I saw in my city as a child, running from one street to the next to have a chance to hear the turbo kicking in at the next traffic light, thanks to heavy traffic at the time! So thank you so much, you made my day!! 👍👍👍

[@JasonCammisa]

Avec plaisir! Glad you enjoyed, vive la France, please send me some pains au chocolat (we can't get good ones in the US). Thanks! :)

[@olivierb9716]

@@JasonCammisa not pains au chocolat, chocolatine!

[@AllIsWell_22]

Camissa being back is the best thing to happen to KZbin. Only downside - I have to wait till next Thursday!

[@jasonkelley6185]

Why has it been a year since a revelations episode? This is gold. Puhleeaase! More. Please…

[@imagczar]

I remember seeing one of these racing a red Italian car through the streets of Providence back in the early 80's. I wanted one then, and still want one.

[@Adamas_83]

I will watch every single one of these if Cammisa is doing them all. Absolutely Fantastic.

[@jamesalexander7540]

I recall when the R5 was first written up in automobile magazines. A neighbor had a Le Car and I could just imagine that sized vehicle on a rally course with huge power.

[@bpfifa08]

I was smiling the whole episode, but that smile grew when that engine started to sing from the onboard footage

[@bartgessner2665]

I really like these episodes. No giggling or oohs and ahhs just the straight narrative with a hot lap in the end.

[@omarkibbi120]

Please make an episode with the renault clio v6

[@minibus1351]

this guy is a natural.

[@SpiderslidePics]

Love this series. Fun and super informative!

[@gerhardhillmann1]

Cammisa is always awesome. Can't wait to watch every one of his Hagerty videos.

[@jb4359]

"C'est magnifique". Yes Sir ! 🇨🇵

[@cabeallen1277]

So awesome. Jason, you are a gem. Thank you for making us smile and laugh, while taking us down memory lane. This show, and anything else you do will be amazing.

[@PrithwiRay]

Welcome back Jason.. missed you!!! Your 911R review at MT was potentially the best car review I have ever seen... Keep it up!!

[@JASONEAVIS]

I love everything about these videos, the production is next level, Jason's presenting style is just ace, a great mix of knowledge and humour and definitely not taking himself too seriously (those shots of him presenting a segment from the trunk (boot) of the car 😀). What I'd love, love, love to see next would be a couple of motorcycle legends, plenty of territory to cover there. Keep up the great work.

[@stefanwinter1377]

Glad that guy found a job again!

[@carbonemtree]

rude lol

[@l-danm1060]

He always had one, he's testing cars every week and is really active on the ISSIMI channel

[@carbonemtree]

@@l-danm1060 bruh thanks for putting me on, im watching all his segments now

[@bambloozr9951]

Oh so thats why hes so pumped, just out of unemployemnt

[@crpth1]

I don't know who the guy is. I never saw this channel before today. But one thing I can say. This is my second video of this guy/channel but already subscribed!

[@jpwilliams5264]

Thank you Hagerty for giving this guy the space to do what he does! Glad to have him around and also noticed you’ve got some other great shows too. Motortrend who?

[@CREDDIAR]

Just stumbled across this channel and am very impressed. I’ve been binge watching like crazy. 👍

[@johnnyrocketa1257]

Good explaining about the engine placement, except... The original R5 had the engine in front on a longitudinal orientation, that is correct, but it's rather a front-midship engine, as it's placed behind the front axle with the gearbox on front of it. The trick was turning the engine around and mounting the gearbox from the Renault 30, which sitted on front of the axle.

[@Relaxiknowarchie]

Liked this video before I even watched it cause the "Cammisa Snark" has been severely missing from my life. Can't wait to see more!

[@JasonCammisa]

I'm trying to bottle the Cammisa Snark, but it keeps breaking the glass containers... 😏

[@Chris-fo9rf]

Well done as always Jason! I look forward to the weekly shows!!

[@robertpettigrew9042]

My Dad was the mechanic for a Renault dealer in a small town in the middle of British Columbia Canada in the mid 70s. We drove Renaults for a while as did my Grandma. Our last one was a Renault 5 and my Grandma stuck with them til the Alliance. Good times!

[@cptbtwth]

Every person that got one talks about it. Fond memories. Speeding wasnt too much of a problem back then. "On pouvait rouler à l'époque !"

[@kellinpatler]

Hell yes. Been looking forward to this after hearing about it on Carmudgeon Podcast. Can’t wait to see more!

[@magerofl]

You guys have the best car youtube channel ! love all the content from building and restoring to these amazing "forgotten" cars

[@ianedmonds9191]

Never seen this channel before. Top stuff. I had a friend in the early 90s who bought a renault 5 turbo and I was genuinely shocked at how fast it went. Luv and Peace.

[@jahbay]

We had one of these running around the silicon Valley. It was in the 80s and that dude drove the wheels of that thing. It sounded amazing.

[@2gears1grind77]

I’m so happy to see Cammisa on KZbin again! Thanks Hagerty!

[@captainkirks7600]

I love that haggerty is taking advantage of this boom in desire for automotive media. Well done guys and great show Jason!!

[@thepbelement]

My mother had a Renault back in 87. I have maybe seen 3 others in my life. I loved that little car.

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

The clips where he's driving the car on those curvy roads. a dream

[@TheJ387]

Thank you for bringing Jason back!!

[@BT_aka_PET_ROOSTER]

This was a FANTASTIC production. Bring more on!

[@wjtr._03]

the GT turbo in the 90s in the UK was an unbeatable combo

[@SustainableDreams]

once again, awesome editing. love the subtitles, they crack me up

[@MichaelRoma91]

Finally Cammisa!

[@vishnuguptsane4157]

Just came here from Jason's ig. Love this profession idiot❤️

[@panoramix3192]

Stunning work. I'm in awe. Keep up sir!

[@wolumandreas1130]

Best auto series...thank you. Had to live through it; pinto/ vega , granada nightmare. It happened, drooling over unobtainable good foreign stuff; thanks Cammisa. Great series.

[@pabitrikalita3940]

This guy is the best car journalist in the world, I am a big fan of him.

[@olejacobstalesen6558]

Great to have you back Jason!! Already looking forward to the next wacky idea!

[@donpatisson]

Just discovered your channel. Your posts are absolutely superbe! The content (I am European) and the production are amazingly done! Keep going!

[@TheMarcball]

Merci Monsieur ! (French guy in WA state with a 2005 XJR among other) Thanks for the inspiration and keep on trucking!

[@Wirenfeldt1990]

Hagerty's media blitz this year is lining up to be nuts.. keep it up peeps!

[@TheShadowKarl]

I have always loved this car! Thanks for this great video.

[@PSTR.]

Excellent episode. Thank you

[@bryanjames1484]

Awesome shirt series man. Keep up the great work. Good seeing you back at it!

[@ss-jr5mk]

Ahhhhh Cammisa content

[@oscarbedford9153]

been waiting for this since Cammisa mentioned it on Carmudgeon, excellent stuff, can't wait for more

[@dionoliveira4058]

Legendary! work. Love all the nuances you guys are inspiring.

[@RichieRouge206]

And Renault went all bonkers again 20 years later with the stunning Clio V6! This was a great video dude!

[@ethanoleary1531]

missed this guy, love the show!

[@HandH3ro]

Loved it! Jason rocks every single time! Much love from europe!

[@JasonCammisa]

Thank you!!

[@AW_DIY_garage]

This car was my computer background from about 2000-2005, even after I bought my Datsun Z in high school. I have and will always love this car!

[@aportilla007]

I never stopped drooling over this car....since the 80s.

[@AkaAndyKnuckles]

Great to see Jason Cammisa, but here he got the facts wrong. The Renault 5 had the engine behind the transmission.

[@JBEN-6]

Je ne m'attendez absolument pas à voir ça sur cette, une voiture légendaire en France, vraiment cool !!

[@vwpac]

Jason thanx for thememories ...BUT remember when yountalsk about the 80s ....majority of us that are from that epoch & are now few & far between LOL...but i thank you from the bottom of my heart 4 the memories ...I tear up when you feature anything from the 70s to 90s ....ce la vie

[@johnnymula2305]

Ive always loved these cars. They’re so cool! I never saw the original interior before. It was gorgeous!

[@robbygriswold3196]

he’s back

[@Varga_Csongor]

Great content Jason, as always. :) And thank you for mentioning Budapest. :)

[@ffsf4209]

Love the mental challenge of following along the twists and turns of engineering.

[@Gerisheng]

"It's so cute! Boop!" This is why I love watching Jason. Fearless enthusiasm for cars.

[@nathanielh7677]

A great way to start the series!

[@valefur72]

Awesome video! That car was the inspiration for incredible cars like the Peugeot 205 T16 or the Lancia Delta S4.

[@winstonwolfe5733]

Actually not, it was the Audi Quattro

[@davidkelly3751]

my first car was a 1.3l R5. I loved it, so lively the R5 Turbo was in another league. Poster stuff.

[@markhooker8520]

I remember this from when I was a child. It was a bonkers car. Over all these years I've never forgotten the crazy interior, especially the electric blue carpeting.