renault 5 turbo tour de corse

Renault 5 Turbo 2 'Tour de Corse': The hatchback that thinks it's a supercar

Price: £72,995 | year: 1983 | engine: 1,565 cc turbo-charged inline four cylinder, 236 bhp.

The outlandish bodykit is no disguise. When Renault wanted to take its classic 5 hatchback rallying in the 1980s, they didn't just uprate the engine. They moved the highly modified power unit backwards to transform France's favourite supermarket shopper into a rallying two-seater supercar. Open the hatchback on this immaculate Renault 5 Turbo 2 , resplendent in the 'Tour de Corse' colours that twice won one of the most demanding events on the rallying calendar, and there is the potent power unit, initially tuned using Renault's Formula One expertise.

The car you see here was converted from left hand drive and to its current specification by John Price Rallying of Hereford, an outfit with long experience of preparing rally cars, including the monstrous Metro 6R4. The Renault began life as a production Turbo 2, a road-legal homologation special built in small numbers to meet Group B rallying regulations. It was delivered direct to John Price Rallying in October 1983. They transformed the car, first to right hand drive, under licence from Renault, and then, over some years, to its current specification, honouring the Tour de Corse wins.

Inside, there is a full competition interior, including a bespoke aluminium roll cage complemented by ultra lightweight Sparco seats and essentials such as a plumbed-in fire extinguisher. Door cards are carbon fibre to save weight. Full Sabelt harnesses are fitted. Bespoke switches are marked by crude, clear labelling. There's little in the way of creature comforts. In stark contrast to the specialist equipment, much of the standard Renault 5 dashboard remains, an analogue reminder of the original hatchback, albeit now punctuated with specialist gauges and switchgear.

The Renault real secret is revealed by opening the hatchback and lifting a blue carpeted panel. There, instead of shopping space and the rear seats, is the highly-tuned turbo-charged engine. The power unit is mounted ahead of the rear wheels, so the little Renault is designated as mid-engined, just like today's supercars which would have their work cut out to match its pace. John Price Rallying have upgraded the engine to so-called "Maxi" specification, as on the car Jean Ragnotti drove on the second of his Tour de Corse victories, in 1985. This 2009 upgrade, for the car's demanding previous owner, includes the correct Tour de Corse manifold, oil cooler and close ratio gearbox, among many other parts.

Every detail of this Tour de Corse recreation is correct, down to the finest points of the exterior livery. The condition is immaculate and the Renault is, remarkably enough, road legal. For your next rally stage or as a very swift supermarket shopper, there really is nothing like it. Just remember there’s no room for the week's groceries in the back.

Meet another '80s wonder car: the BMW E30 M3 Evo 2 .

Get your fill of all things automotive at  The Garage .

Related Articles

1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Coupé: Ultimate speed and style

Classic 1991 Land Rover Rangie restored: Drive those blues away

Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo II: Rally-bred four-wheel drive magnificence

For over 12 years our community of 1m+ have been discovering the latest art, automotive, interiors, fashion and architecture in our free bi-weekly emailer ..

We'll keep you up to date.

1982 Renault 5 Turbo Tour De Corse

• HISTORY (1)

Market Summary

The renault 5 - race cars (1972 to 1996) market. see similar markets, vehicle history, a timeline of events that we've detected for this vehicle., comparable recent listings. see related attributes next to the score..

1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group B

• TMU 

Renault 5 Turbo Groupe B « Tour De Corse » Voiture d'Usine 1983

Renault 5 Turbo Aux spéCifications « Tour De Corse » Voiture De Rallye 1980

1980 Renault 5 Turbo

1982 Renault 5 Turbo 1

1982 Renault 5 Turbo Groupe 4 - Jean Ragnotti

1983 Renault R5 Turbo 2

1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4

1980 Renault 5 Turbo Groupe 4

1980 Renault 5 Turbo Groupe 4 Calberson

1983 Renault 5 Gordini Turbo

1980 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4

1986 Renault 5 GT Turbo Groupe N

1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2 - Rally Prepared

1981 Renault 5 GTL

1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2

1985 Renault 5 Maxi Turbo

• 2K - 13K 

1987 Renault 5 GT Turbo

Details about this vehicle - curated by our market specialists..

See an error? Report it here

Renault 5 Turbo 1st Gen 1972 to 1996

Comparable recent listings based on vehicle taxonomy and attributes., markets related to the renault 5 - race cars..

• Classic Driver
• Forgot password
• Newsletters
• Language English Deutsch
• Currency Select AUD CHF CNY DKK EUR GBP HKD INR JPY NZD SEK SGD USD
• Collectibles
• Real Estate
• CD Works Agency
• For sale CD Shop Magazine Auctions Sell

1984 Renault 5

• Year of manufacture  1984
• Car type  Other
• Drive  RHD
• Condition  Restored
• Interior colour  Blue
• Number of doors  2
• Number of seats  2

• Exterior colour  Blue
• Gearbox  Manual
• Performance  270 PS / 199 kW / 267 BHP
• Drivetrain  2wd
• Fuel type  Petrol

Description

Special features External • Period ‘Gitanes’ Colour Scheme • Mad-ins Split-Rims with Michelin TB15 Tyres • 270 BHP Engine, Fully Rebuilt by JL Engineering • Fully Rebuilt Gearbox with Elitle Plated LSD • Wilwood Midilight 4 Pot Brake Callipers • 3s Cevennes Conical Competition Exhaust • Bilstein Monotune Coilovers Supplied by 3S • Groupe B TDC Wide Track front Wishbones • Full TDC chassis Strengthening Front and Rear • 25% Stiffer Hollow Tube Anti-Roll Bar Internal • OMP FIA Bolt in Roll Cage • Converted to RHD • T1 Dashboard Modified to RHD and Re-upholstered • New VDO Guages • Cobra Imola Pro Seats • 3 Point Harnesses • Intertia Reel Seat Belts • Full Length TDC Engine Cover with Race Fixings

Description We are delighted to present this ‘no expense spared’ Renault 5 Turbo 2 that has been lovingly and painstakingly restored and rebuilt to offer exceptional, competition level performance and handling. This Renault Turbo 2 was bought by a close friend of Car-iconics Ltd back in 2012 as a running and MOT’d car in largely original condition. Once back in the UK the car was stripped to bare metal and this incredible project was started. Supported by a full photographic record, the car was slowly and painstakingly restored, including strengthening of the chassis largely to Tour De Corse specification to take not only the increased engine performance but also the uprated suspension, competition size wider wheels and sticky tyres. All the mechanical elements of the car have been rebuilt and upgraded including the engine, gearbox and suspension. A true Group B homage which delivers the most visceral driving experience! If you are looking to own one of the most iconic cars from the 1980’s with performance to match its Marcello Gandini designed looks, then look no further than this exceptional car.

Technical Specification: • Strengthening body shell to TDC specification. Front: • TDC style weld in strut brace • Weld in 2nd steering rack mounts • Front chassis rail, tri-angulations • 3rd lower wishbone mount Roll Cage: Rear: • Rear Suspension Turrets: Tops, Base and up inside turrets • Rear Suspension upper wishbone mounts • Rear chassis rails: Tri-angulations where rails meet tub (firewall) (x4) • Engine Mount plates (both sides) • Over the gearbox fixing points • 2nd lower wishbone chassis rail cross member (Genuine Maxi, bolt in) Modifications to interior arches • Cutting out inner arches and welding in preformed panels to ensure wheel clearance to Maxi spec • OMP FIA approved bolt in cage Internal: • Modification to shell to accept T1 dashboard with bespoke upholstery • New VDO gauges throughout • Modification to shell to take 3-point harness • Modification to shell to take inertia seat belts in new location Suspension: • Bilstein Monotube Coil Overs TDC (supplied by 3S) • Eibach Springs all round • Rear Wishbones, standard but with new bushings and were refurbed during restoration • Front Wishbones, Group B TDC wide track, rose jointed and fully adjustable (3rd mount lower wishbone) • 25% stiffer (hollow tube), adjustable anti roll bar (rose jointed drop links) • Uprights are standard T2, fully refurbed, new wheel bearings throughout Brakes: • Callipers: Wilwood Midilight 4 pot billet, Radial Mount with competition pads (all round) • Discs: Cevennes cross drilled front, std T2 rear Wheels and Tyres: • 1 x Set Mad-ins 8x15 fronts, 10 x 15 rear (fitted with Michelin TB15 classic tyres) • 1 x Set Image (Mini-light style), 7 x 15 fronts, 9.5 x 15 rear (fitted with Avon ZZR, ZZS (50% wear) Engine: • 270BHP@18psi – capable of 400BHP with further engine upgrades • 1427cc (8:1 compression ratio) • Engine Management: Emerald K6 (fuel and ignition) • Pistons: 77mm J&E forged custom made pistons • Liners: Westwood Ductile Iron • Camshaft: Cat Cam 300’ tarmac/rally spec • Connecting rods: Saens (H) • Crank: lightened and balanced • Cylinder Head: Brand New (old stock), Ported & Flowed, big valves (stainless), custom springs, bronze rocker guides • New Bearings throughout • High pressure oil pump • Mocal Remote Oil Filter • Oil cooler: Mocal, 16 row (with fan, switch off dash) • Intercooler: Pace Products, large core (Air to Air) • Inlet Manifold: Standard Turbo 2 , port matched, with modification to accept Bosch Electronic Fuel Injectors • Turbo (800 miles): Garrett T3, 0.48 exhaust housing, modified compressor housing, 60 trim compressor wheel 360’ bearing • Exhaust Manifold: Garat Motorisation Cevennes, Zircotec coating • All ancillaries new (water pump, alternator (brise), starter (reconditioned) • Engine / G/B Mounts: Competition (3S), over the gearbox to chassis mounts competition gearbox mounts • 3S Cevennes Conical competition exhaust with Zirotek coating Gearbox: • Gearbox: UN1 369, fully rebuilt, Elite Plate LSD (new input shaft) • Rose jointed gear linkage • Bespoke clutch

More Listings related to Renault 5

Recommended Listings

Join the Family

Sign up to receive the weekly newsletter featuring the very latest from Petrolicious. Don’t be left out—join the ranks of those who Drive Tastefully.

Already a member? Log in

How was the drive?

We're glad you're back.

Not a member yet? Sign up

Reset Your Password

We'll get you back on track.

GALLERY: Go Behind The Scenes On Our Renault 5 Turbo Tour de Corse Film Shoot

For Jean-Francois Cauchi, the first time he locked eyes with this special Renault became a deeply ingrained memory, a driving force that would shape his life from that moment onward. Despite being just a boy many years away from driving any sort of hatchback, let alone one this severely cool, his passion for the Renault 5 Turbo surpassed all of the typical supercar choices that other car-infatuated kids might tack on to their bedroom walls. During school hours, Jean-Francois obsessed over the mid-engine, rear-drive Renault, inhaling every bit of literature he could, while stashing cut-away drawings in his desk between sheafs of homework. He vowed to own one. One day.

His means toward a rally-spec R5 of his own involved a good deal of work to attain a base car—a standard Renault 5 Turbo—which he gradually acquired correct, authentic parts for in order to get it closer to that holy “Cévennes” style of the Group 4 spec factory cars. Of course, it wasn’t an exact one to one replica, but he always stayed within the ethos of the Renault Sport design philosophy of light, purposeful engineering, and ensured that his parts were the real deal.

Jean-Francois bought and sold Renaults among many other marques throughout the early years of his life as a motoring enthusiast—enjoying extended dalliances with a few of them—but he kept returning to the R5 Turbo, until one day he was afforded the opportunity to buy a Tour de Corse R5, #11 of just 20 produced in-period specifically for the factory team and certain so-called “competition-clients” for use in the legendary Group B days of the WRC.

The R5 Turbo had been homologated for use in rallying by 1980, though it was initially conceived in the mid 1970s, and raced in the less-restrictive prototype-oriented Group 5 class before the 400 units required for Group 4 entry were completed. In 1982, the announcement of the new Group B class was made, which would come into effect for the 1983 season. While Lancia was still more than making do with two drive wheels, the writing was on the wall for the predominance of all-wheel machines like the Audi Sport Quattros and the Peugeot 205 that would join the fray in 1984. Cars like the R5 Turbo Tour de Corse were still viable solutions for the tarmac-based events in the season, and before it was replaced by the final “Maxi” version, the R5 Tour de Corse would place a very respectable 3rd in the race it was named after.

Jean-Francois’ Tour de Corse was sold to a customer team rather than raced by the factory, and while it had seen its share of use, it didn’t suffer nearly as much as the Renault-entered cars during the 1980s. It came with all of its original parts for starters, and though he has his fun with it, Jean-Francois is also humbled by the experience of driving such a purpose-built machine as this. It can still bite, after all these years.

Petrolicious Newsletter

Petrolicious.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions

duPont REGISTRY Group

• Sotheby’s Motorsport
• FerrariChat
• duPont REGISTRY
• Ferrarichat

Be the first to know about new listings!

« Hertz » R5 Turbo Tour de Corse

• Auteur de l’article Par Vincent Marique
• Date de l’article 04/08/2024

The Renault 5 Turbo made rallying history, initially being developed as a Group 4 car before evolving into a Group B car in its second generation. This evolution culminated in its ultimate version, the « Maxi ».

Approved in Group B, this Renault 5 Turbo 2 ‘Tour de Corse’ spent a long time on the roads of French rallies in Group F. Its owner since 2004, Vivien Bombré, gave it the traditional yellow and white livery of the 20 ‘Tour de Corse’ customer cars a few years ago.

For the Rally 4 Passion, where it will be driven by Fabrice Rossi, it will sport a new ‘Hertz’ livery, identical to that used by Corsican driver Camille Bartoli in the 1984 Tour of Corsica. Superb!

• Étiquettes group B , R4P , R5 Turbo , renault , Tour de Corse

• The collection
• Distributors

Solido > The collection > 1/18 Collection > RENAULT 5 MAXI TURBO – TOUR DE CORSE 1985 – J.RAGNOTTI #3

RENAULT 5 MAXI TURBO – TOUR DE CORSE 1985 – J.RAGNOTTI #3

Tour de Corse, Jean Ragnotti and Renault 5 Maxi Turbo: an iconic trio but also a triple winner! In 1985, Jeannot won his second victory in the World Rally Championship and came second during the legendary Corsican event. All behind the wheel of this “monster” that was the Renault 5 Maxi turbo, one of the powerful Group B cars that many still dream of today!

Additional information

• Reviews (0)

There are no reviews yet.

Show reviews in all languages (2)

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your review  *

Name  *

Email  *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related products

RENAULT 4L CLAN – BEIGE – 1978

RENAULT 4L CLAN – JACINTHE – 1978

ALPINE A110 PURE – BLEU ALPINE – 2018

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF L – POLIZEI

Our catalogue.

Renault 5 Turbo Tour de Corse

Model photos

Model owned by

Model wanted by, model offered by, all models of renault 5 turbo tour de corse 1:18.

10 Of The Best Renault Cars Ever Made

R enault's cars are, in many ways, the epitome of French carmaking. They're consistently different from the rest, for better or for worse, with plenty of underwhelming duds over the years alongside the brand's enviable back catalog of greats. It can be easy to overlook how many greats there are, too -- from groundbreaking hot hatches to V10-powered minivans, Renault's importance in the performance car world should not be underestimated. Of equal importance is the brand's long-time partner and now subsidiary, Alpine, but for the purposes of this article, only cars that shipped without an Alpine badge are included.

Many of the greatest Renaults were devised by Renault Sport, an in-house division that handles everything from limited-run hot hatch specials to the brand's top-level racing efforts. However, Renault's motorsport pedigree goes back decades before the formation of Renault Sport, with its first sports car competing on the rally stages of the Tour de Corse, beating rivals from some of the world's greatest racing brands in the process. The French carmaker's history is a long and storied one, but these cars stand out among the rest as particular highlights of its output to date.

Renault 5 Turbo

Perhaps one of the most instantly recognizable hot hatches ever made, the Renault 5 Turbo is famous not only for its unique shape but also for its success in rallying. Its power output might not seem like much by modern standards -- 160 horsepower from its turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder is on par with some economy hatchbacks today -- but when it launched, it was the most powerful French road car. The regular Renault 5 was far from an ideal candidate for a race-ready rally car, and so in order to make it competitive, the French manufacturer tasked famed automotive designer Marcello Gandini with reworking it.

Gandini significantly widened the car but kept its iconic boxy styling. Power was sent to the rear wheels rather than the front as with the regular 5, and the engine was mid-mounted, with the rear seats taken out to accommodate it. The 5 Turbo was built over two series, with Series 1 cars featuring the most bespoke components, and Series 2 built with slightly more parts from Renault's parts bin. Both generations remain highly sought after among enthusiasts since there's never been anything quite like them since. It might not stay that way forever, though: Renault's recent unveiling of the R5 Turbo 3E concept hinted at a future electric revival for the 5 line, although nothing has been officially confirmed for now.

Renault Clio V6

Much like the Renault 5 Turbo, the Clio V6 lost its back seats to accommodate its engine, and sported wide, redesigned bodywork that instantly differentiated it from lesser Clios. However, rather than use a four-cylinder engine, a 3.0L V6 engine was used, making 226 horsepower in early models, and 255 horsepower in later cars. That power pushed the Clio V6 to a top speed of 155 mph in Phase 2 cars, matching the top speed of flagship sports cars from the likes of BMW and Mercedes-AMG. The car was developed in conjunction with TWR, a British engineering and racing outfit that'd previously worked on the Jaguar XJ220 and Nissan R390 GT1 .

It was originally presented in concept form in 1998, and after a very positive reception, production began two years later. Between 2000 and 2005, a total of 2,822 examples would be built. The regular Renault Clio might be one of Europe's favorite economy hatchbacks, but the Clio V6 proved that it could also cut it with the very best of the hot hatch world on the road and the track.

Renault Espace F1

Renault has always had a reputation for producing cars that were different from the crowd, and none stand out more so than the mad one-off Renault Espace F1. Your eyes don't deceive you -- this is indeed a race-ready French minivan, sporting a custom carbon fiber chassis derived from the 1993 Williams Formula 1 car. Williams had seen great success in the 1992 and 1993 F1 seasons with a Renault V10 engine powering its cars, and that V10 was borrowed for the Espace F1. Its redline was north of 13,000 rpm and its total power output was around 800 horsepower.

For optimal weight distribution, the V10 was mid-mounted, with the two rear seats of the car sitting just a couple of inches from the top of the engine. The car's bodywork, however, remained as close to the standard car as possible, albeit with a few extra aero bits and air intakes. Since the Espace F1 was created essentially as a marketing tool, only one working example was produced. It succeeded in its goal of getting people talking about the Espace minivan again, even if, after initial press drives were complete, some journalists were left stretching their heads about how it was even possible for Renault to have built such an implausible car.

Renault Megane RS Trophy-R

The latest and greatest limited-run hot hatch that Renault has to offer is also arguably its best yet, with a forensic level of attention to detail that ensures it's significantly lighter than its peers, but no less powerful. The Megane RS Trophy-R takes the standard Megane RS and strips out absolutely everything unnecessary from the car -- the back seats are gone, the rear wiper is removed, and even the badges are replaced to save a few extra ounces. All in all, the car weighs just 2,879 lbs. Only the most bare-bones roadsters tip the scales at less.

All of this weight saving was not in vain: the Trophy-R set a new front-wheel drive Nürburgring lap record when it debuted in 2019. However, actually buying one of these record-breaking hot hatches is neither easy nor cheap. Just 500 examples of the car were built between 2019 and 2021, and with all the pricey optional extras added, the car cost the equivalent of around $81,000. That's serious money for a front-wheel drive hot hatch, but all 500 examples sold despite its sky-high price.

Renault Clio Williams

It might not be able to match the latest Renault hot hatches on paper, but the Renault Clio Williams was nothing short of a genre-defining car when it launched in 1993. It borrowed the name of the successful Renault-affiliated F1 team, but in fact, much of the development was done by the manufacturer's in-house Renault Sport division, with the original goal of homologating the Clio for rally use. A total of 2,500 cars were originally planned, but high demand saw more than 12,000 examples produced in total.

The little Clio packed a 2.0L engine making around 150 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful cars in its class at the time. Its distinctive blue paintwork was paired with blue interior accents, including bright blue seatbelts, and gold wheels emphasizing its range-topping (and indeed, segment-topping) status. Many examples haven't survived to the present day, and the pristine examples that do command hefty premiums at auction. In late 2022, a new record was set when a low-mileage Clio Williams fetched €73,904, equivalent to around $71,686 at the time.

Renault Megane R26.R

A track-day toy that was also a blast on the road, the Renault Megane R26.R was the first in a line of limited-run Megane specials that focused on stripping out weight and improving handling to record-breaking levels. It set a record time on the Nurburgring's Nordschleife at the time of its release, although that record has since been broken many times, including multiple times by Renault's own newer Megane specials.

The R26.R made its presence known with a carbon fiber hood, bright exterior graphics, and a visible roll cage in the rear where the seats used to be. The engine was left untouched from the Megane R26, with 227 horsepower available from the 2.0L four-cylinder. Top speed and 0-62 mph time, however, were both improved, standing at 148 mph and 6.0 seconds, respectively. While the R26.R has been ultimately eclipsed by its successors in performance terms, it remains a milestone in Renault Sport's hot hatch history, and may well appreciate in value as previous revered Renaults have done as the decades pass.

Renault Twizy F1

Renault's tiny Twizy electric car is hardly the obvious candidate for a go-faster conversion, but clearly someone at Renault looked at it and thought, ". . . maybe we should make a Formula 1-inspired one." The regular Twizy is a low-speed EV designed for crawling through city traffic and is perhaps best compared to a road-legal golf cart. It's a niche car in standard form thanks to its limited practicality and unusual looks, but  the mad Twizy F1  takes things up a notch.

While only a concept, the Twizy F1 was a fully functional one-off, with the KERS system from a Formula 1 car to increase its peak power to 97 horsepower. In a car so light, that meant a 0-60 mph time of around six seconds, and a top speed of around 68 mph. A suite of extra aero bits including a carbon fiber front splitter and rear wing add an extra layer of absurdity to the already odd-looking car, while F1-style wheels round out the comprehensive overhaul. The Twizy F1 debuted in 2013 as the spiritual successor to the equally hilarious Espace F1, and much like the minivan, it was only ever intended to be an attention-grabbing special project, so there's no way to buy your own Formula 1-spec Twizy.

Renault 8 Gordini

One of the earliest "hot" Renaults, the 8 Gordini was a sportier variant of the best-selling R8. It was the brand's first proper foray into the racing world and caused a stir when it won the 1964 Tour de Corse, fending off competition from Porsche and Alfa Romeo. It was also popular with customers, selling around 11,800 units between 1964 and 1970. Early versions of the car boasted 95 horsepower from a 1.1L engine, but a larger 1.3L version was unveiled in 1966 with 110 horsepower.

It proved to be more than a one-trick pony in its rallying career, winning the Tour de Corse twice more in 1965 and 1966, alongside various other, smaller rally events around Europe. It's a long way from fast by modern standards, but the Renault 8 Gordini paved the way for the line of hot hatches that came after it, which would in turn provide the foundation for many of the automaker's most celebrated cars.

Renault RS.01

When the RS.01 was announced in 2014, it had plenty of enthusiasts excited. It was built for a single-make racing series, with the eventual aim of homologating the car to enter GT3 races, too. Its 3.8L V6 engine was borrowed from the Nissan GT-R and made around 550 horsepower, while its chassis was a full carbon-fiber affair designed by Dallara. Unfortunately, things didn't quite go to plan for the racing series: it was canceled after two seasons when it proved to be financially unviable, and RS.01 cars have only made a handful of appearances at other races since.

Since it was designed as a pure race car, Renault never planned to make a road-legal version -- or at least, no plans were ever made public. That means it's almost impossible for enthusiasts to see an RS.01 in the flesh today, which is a huge shame. In an ideal world, Renault would have launched the car in both road-legal and race-ready versions and transformed its image from a hot hatch specialist to a full-blown supercar maker. In reality, though, the RS.01 remains one of the brand's greatest forgotten cars.

Renault Sport Spider

Another missed opportunity for Renault was the release of the Sport Spider, the first car to be released with the "Renault Sport" badge and a significant departure from anything it had made before. It was a lightweight roadster with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine making 148 horsepower. So far, so good -- the Spider took heavy inspiration from the classic Lotus formula, while the British brand itself was relying on an aging lineup at the time that had strayed somewhat from the original lightweight ethos.

Unfortunately for Renault, it launched the Spider in 1996, and shortly after, Lotus launched its own new roadster, the Elise. The latter car would go on to single-handedly revitalize the brand, becoming one of its most iconic models to date, while the Spider never quite sold in the numbers that Renault had hoped for. With the inevitable comparisons between the Spider and the Elise, it was the Elise that was crowned the better sports car of the two, and with that, the Renault's fate was sealed. Production estimates for the Spider vary between 1,600 and 1,800 examples, with Renault unceremoniously retiring the car in 1999 after years of low sales. Nonetheless, take the Spider in isolation and it's a great sports car by all accounts, with plenty of poke and a refreshingly back-to-basics feel. If the Elise had debuted just a few years later, perhaps the Renault might have got the credit it deserved from the press and from buyers.

Read this next: The 15 Coolest Concept Cars Of All Time