Miguel Sánchez
With models as outstanding as the Alpine A110 or the R5 Turbo, Renault is one of the most successful brands in the world of rallying. In this sense, the first model achieved recurring successes at Monte Carlo and the Acropolis -which came to win three times- despite living with the Lancia Stratos. Meanwhile, the second was one of the mythical Group B vehicles with victories like the one obtained in Monte Carlo in 1981. However, between the beginning of the seventies with the A110 and the eighties with the R5 Turbo, a series of years in which Renault seemed to be in a transition phase.
And indeed it was. In the first place because its sports division - within which the Alpine workforce would be integrated after its absorption in 1976 - focused its efforts on the development of turbo technology with Le Mans and F1 in the spotlight. Something he did really well. At Le Mans because he was victorious in 1978 with the A442. And in F1 because although the successes were slow in coming, its commitment to the turbocharger since 1977 made Renault the reference brand for this technology. Thus, during those years the care of the rallies fell to the Alpine A310.
A model that tried to combine the qualities of the A110 with the daily use of a GT. But that on the tracks he never achieved anything remarkable even when from 1976 he mounted a new V6 engine. In this way, in the mid-seventies Renault seemed to move away from the world of rallying. conjured situation when his racing department decided to make the R5 Alpine a winning machine for Group 2. All this with a view to achieving time for the development of the R5 Turbo Group B. With which it would once again be as referential as it was in 1973 thanks to the victory of the A110 in the constructors' championship.
At the end of the seventies it seemed difficult for a popular model to reach the top in the world of rallying. After all, the references in this discipline were derived from sports models such as the Fulvia or the A110. Or even they were born specifically for the tracks as in the case of the Stratos. Thus, Renault Sport engineers had to work hard for the adaptation of the R5 Alpine. Especially because of the paradigm shift caused by front-wheel drive. A far cry from the recurring rear-wheel drive that defines the A110 and A310.
However, for 1977 they managed to homologate the R2 Alpine in Group 5 after numerous modifications. Always on the excellent basis offered by the series model. A sports-tuned compact that arrived in Spain under the name of Copa -alluding to the single brand trophy– but that in France he kept Alpine's giving clear signs of his intentions. intentions embodied in a power of 93CV for about 840 kilos with 2,4 meters of battle and a front engine but thrown to the center. The features that made the R5 Alpine something of a GTI primitive by making the most of a compact single cornering.
For all these reasons, Renault Sport saw in the R5 Alpine an excellent base for rallying. Yes indeed, always as an intermediate point before lighting the R5 Turbo. Model born by and for the competition. So far from the street car that a central-rear engine was actually hidden under its bodywork. A bet released in 1979 after years of preparation while the R5 Alpine covered the record of the brand thanks to its constant victories in Group 2.
LIGHTENING AND EMPOWERING
Beyond excellent behavior, low center of gravity and good weight distribution, every sports car requires lightening and power. Just what Renault did with the Group 5 R2 Alpine by lowering it to 800 kilos. Regarding the engine, the block of four cylinders in line underwent a review with which its power was increased to 110/140CV thanks to two double-body carburettors and new exhausts. In addition, the stability section changed with improved adjustable dampers and thicker stabilizer bars. All this connected to the ground with 185mm tires sheltered under wide wheel arches.
Regarding the gearbox, it was replaced by one with short relationships. Complementing its quick reactions with a new set of disc brakes also on the rear axle, which came standard with drum brakes. With all this, the R5 Alpine managed not only to be a remarkable machine within Group 2 but the dominant from 1978 to 1980. Years in the Jean Ragnotti was second in the absolute classification of the Montecarlo 1978 and the Tour de Corse 1979 to end up winning the French championship in 1980.
In this way, the diamond brand gained time without losing presence in rallies in the face of its definitive return to the top of the category with the Group B R5 Turbo. A precision machine that, however, is even more spectacular cooperated less in the sporting character of the brand. And it is that, after all, the R5 Alpine was a popular mount used by many racing teams and small teams both on and off the asphalt. Just the kind of actions responsible for bringing sportsmanship to a mass audience to continue to maintain Renault as one of the most versatile European brands.
Photographs of Renault Classic.
