Renault Five R5 Maxi Turbo WRC 1984

What is it? One of Renault’s ultimate performance racing machine and a highly collectible car today. The Renault 5 Maxi Turbo scored its maiden win on the 1981 Monte Carlo rally, and remained a serious adversary until the all-wheel drive Group B cars arrived. Renault’s successful Five was chosen as the unlikely basis for small, light and ferociously fast new mid-engined weapon. The idea was to move its engine from the front to the middle of the car to improve its traction and handling. The result was a rather strange looking Five, its rear wings distended by swollen wheel arches, its rear seats sacrificed to make room for a highly tuned, turbocharged 1.4 litre engine producing 162bhp. The Rernault 5 Maxi Turbo came after the Turbo 1 and 2 who was primarily designed for rallying, but was also sold in a street version. A total of 4987 (turbo 1: 1820 and turbo 2: 3167) R5 Turbos were manufactured during a six-year production run. To get around strict regulations for Group B rally cars, it decided to change capacity class. Ultimately, Renault produced just 20 units of the Renault 5 Maxi Turbo.

Why did I build it? Because it is my dream car since I was a kid. I have owned many cars since, but the Renault Five as alway taken a special place in my heart. In my opinion, there was and still is no other car like it. I still own mine and love to drive it arround during the summer time.

Why do I believe this would make a great LEGO set? Because it is simply cool and different from the other LEGO Renault Five I have seen on the internet. Proportionally speaking I beleive it is more accurate. My version was built from the LEGO Set #76897 and some spear parts mainly for the front and rear bumpers and the rear gate which I’m particularly proud of. The only thing It is missing are the corresponding rally stickers and Renault emblem.