The Renault 5 Turbo Group 4 Factory Car The Renault 5 Turbo was born from the vision of Jean Terramorsi, Deputy Director of Product Planning at Renault, in charge of limited production models, who as early as 1977 imagined a sporting development of the Régie’s star model: the Renault 5. This was no longer simply about improving handling or engine power, as had been done with the R5 Alpine. Terramorsi believed it necessary to turn it into a true rally car, incorporating Renault’s flagship technology: turbocharging. As early as 1972, Bernard Dudot, an engineer at Alpine in Dieppe, had paved the way by installing a turbocharger on a 1600cc engine intended for a very light Group 5 berlinette. Although difficult to master, the result proved formidable in the hands of a driver such as Jean-Luc Thérier, foreshadowing what the Renault 5 Turbo would become. Mid-mounted turbocharged engine, reinforced chassis, specific suspension components, bodywork combining steel, polyester and aluminum, dramatically widened rear track: the Renault 5 Turbo presented in 1978 left no one indifferent. Development and Competition Entry In 1979, the small Renault Sport team, driven by François Bernard (chassis engineer) and Michel Têtu, still only had the Group 5 prototype at its disposal — the famous black R5 — an assembly of specific Renault and Alpine components. It would take the production of the 400 units required for Group 4 homologation, obtained in September 1980, to allow the car to compete in major international events. The Group 4 version produced approximately 260 horsepower and was distinguished by a driving behavior particularly appreciated by drivers. It is often considered more usable than some later evolutions, notably the Tour de Corse version, regarded as more demanding. Jean Ragnotti Jean Ragnotti shares with Henri Pescarolo the enviable status of being one of the most popular French racing drivers. Winner of the Tour de Corse, the Monte Carlo Rally, French Superproduction Champion, he also distinguished himself at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Beyond his achievements, it is his spectacular driving style and his personality — marked by simplicity, warmth, and passion — that have left a lasting impression. The 1982 Ivory Coast Rally Ragnotti’s 1982 program in the R5 Turbo Group 4 remained relatively focused: Critérium Alpin, Tour de Corse, and the Ivory Coast Rally, also known as the Bandama Rally. Following a victory at the Tour de Corse and a third place at the Critérium Alpin, Renault entered two R5 Turbos in this legendary World Championship event. It was a first for the R5 Turbo on African terrain. Preparation was extensive: long reconnaissance sessions, suspension adaptations, structural reinforcement, and he installation of underbody protection. The entered car, registered 80 VS 91, chassis number VF1822000C0000009, was first registered on April 8, 1982, likely very shortly before the event. Assigned to the Ragnotti / Andrié crew, it immediately proved competitive against top-level opponents, including Michèle Mouton. But this rally would also remain one of the most demanding, both sportingly and humanly. The rivalry between Michèle Mouton and Walter Röhrl reached its peak. Röhrl declared to the German press: “The Audi Quattro is so superior that even a monkey behind the wheel could win rallies.” To which Michèle Mouton replied ironically: “Walter is a good driver… but the man…” At the same time, the French driver was going through a dramatic personal ordeal: she learned of her father’s death during the rally, yet chose to continue competing. In this particularly tense context, Ragnotti delivered an outstanding start to the event. But the Bandama forgives nothing. Following a mechanical issue, a poorly anticipated pace note caused an off-road excursion. The car took off over a bump before landing heavily. Broken steering, damaged aluminum roof: retirement was inevitable. Post-Race and Restoration The car was repatriated to France and retained by Renault Sport. In 1984, it was gifted to Jean Ragnotti by Patrick Landon. It was then entrusted to the Bozian brothers, historic Renault Sport preparers. After remaining in their workshops for many years, it was finally restored in the 1990s: mechanical rebuild by the Bozian brothers body repaired by Daniel Loison paintwork by Del Fiacco parts supplied by Renault Sport restoration to Bandama configuration Original elements, including rally plates and crew documents, were preserved. The car was presented to Jean Ragnotti in 1995, on the occasion of his 50th birthday, during a dinner at Paul Bocuse. Identity and Chassis Number After its accident, the original registration (VF1822000C0000009) was reused by Renault Sport on another car. When handed over to Jean Ragnotti, the car received a new identity: chassis number: B0000081 first registration: February 1981 registration number: 4534 VD 91 No R5 Turbo ever competed under this identity. As was often the case with factory cars, the competition department had fewer registration documents than vehicles, these being transferred as needed. It is therefore essential to clarify that, despite this administrative particularity, the car’s historical continuity remains fully established. Technical Description This factory Group 4 R5 Turbo features numerous specific elements: Chausson air/water intercooler modified sensor plate from Porsche 928 specific turbocharger without conventional wastegate side exhaust outlet high-capacity alternator dry sump lubrication with external oil tank dual master cylinder competition pedal box adjustable De Carbon dampers Renault Sport engine no. 2672 Matter reinforced chassis Conclusion As Gilles Vallerian rightly points out: “With factory competition cars, it is always difficult to attribute with certainty the races contested and the results for each individual car. Indeed, official race cars often do not have a stamped chassis number, which is the case here. It was common for racing departments, little concerned with the administrative ‘road’ aspect of factory cars, to have fewer registration documents than vehicles! This was confirmed by Patrick Landon. A registration document would be used on one car, then after an accident or wear from racing, it would be transferred to a new chassis supplied by Matter, and so on… It is very difficult to be certain about the actual participation of a race car in a specific event. This is not the case with this R5 Turbo, which has a unique and particular history. This Renault 5 Turbo Group 4, ex 80 VS 91, is unquestionably the one that competed in the 1982 Bandama Rally: its historical continuity is certain. It retained its livery until restoration, and notably features a specific mounting of the front and rear bumpers — extended at the front and set back at the rear — to provide more space for long-travel gravel wheels. This unique configuration is clearly visible in period films and photographs of the Ivory Coast Rally. It is exceptional to have an authentic factory rally car that belonged to one of its drivers, particularly one so emblematic of the Renault Sport adventure: this is the case with this Group 4 R5 Turbo entered in a World Championship event by one of the most popular French drivers, Jean Ragnotti. It has also undergone restoration by Renault Sport’s in-house engine specialists, the Bozian brothers.” A genuine factory-built Group 4 example, this Renault 5 Turbo originates directly from Renault Sport’s competition department and retains the defining characteristics of a works rally car of the period. Its specification includes a Renault Sport engine developing approximately 260–270 horsepower, dry-sump lubrication system, Chausson air-to-water intercooler, specific turbocharger configuration, adjustable De Carbon suspension, and a reinforced Matter chassis. Following its return from the Bandama, the car was retained by Renault Sport before being gifted in 1984 to Jean Ragnotti by Patrick Landon, then head of the rally program. Subsequently restored by the Bozian brothers—long-standing Renault competition partners—it was returned to a configuration faithful to its period appearance. Preserved for many years by Ragnotti himself and later by a private collector, it remains today in the hands of its third owner of the past decade. Nowdays maintained by Michel CRESPEL it is combining direct works origin, period competition history, and documented provenance, it represents a rare and highly compelling example of Renault’s official rallying heritage.