Ivan Vicario Martin
In 1986, FISA prohibited the category Group B leaving the World Rally Championship orphaned of some of its most spectacular creations. Among them, the Renault 5 maxi turbo, the latest evolution of a model that had captured the imagination of fans like few others. The diamond mark would continue running with the R11 y R5 GT Turbo, but he would never develop a machine at the level of the mythical R5 Turbo. Or so it was thought until now, because it turns out that there was a Renault 19 Quadra Turbo that could have changed everything.
We are talking about a model developed in the early 90s in Renault-Berex, the Studies and Research Office of the French brand. It was a department surrounded by a certain mystery and secrecy, which however was key in the sporting plans of Alpine and Renault at the time. With almost 120 technicians and engineers, projects such as the Alpine A310 V6 Phase 2 or the Renault 5 Turbo, For example.
It remained active between 1979 and 1992, the year in which it merged with the Villiers Technical Center, to close definitively in 1995. Therefore, surely The Renault 19 Quadra Turbo in question was one of his last projects, along with the remembered Renault Clio Williams and Safrane Biturbo.
THE RENAULT 19 QUADRA TURBO
Now let's go with our protagonist, a competition model that I should have made the jump to World Rally Championship to compete with the Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD, Lancia Delta HF Integrals and the like. That is to say, it would be a return to competition in style, without half measures, which required the use of all-wheel drive and mechanics to match.
Regarding all-wheel drive, the Renault 19 It was already designed with a central tunnel designed to accommodate 4×4 versions. In fact, the R21 already enjoyed a variant with this configuration called Quadra. Although the street R19 did not take advantage of the aforementioned central tunnel, our protagonist did, who had 4 × 4 traction like all of his theoretical rivals in the world championship. However, it also appears developed a second version with front wheel drive, perhaps thinking about the 2 Liter category. In both cases, the three-door body was used as a base.
As far as motorization is concerned, A 1.8 turbo engine with double overhead camshaft was chosen. and internal code F7P. It was the mechanics that equipped the R19 and Clio 16V and that, in the series version, produced 140 and 137 HP respectively. For the front-wheel drive prototype, it evolved until the horsepower reached a figure close to 190 HP. In the Quadra model, it was expected to exceed 300 hp to be able to compete face to face with the rest of the Group A. Both had a six-speed gearbox.
A WILD LOOK
If there is something that captivates the unborn Renault 19 Quadra Turbo It is its aesthetic or, rather, aerodynamic development. Because without reaching the excesses of the Maxi Turbo, the truth is that its appearance is, to say the least, intimidating. And we see the right side, the least exaggerated, since, according to what is said, the left side was truly brutal. Starting with what we see, the widening is a declaration of intent and it would serve to accommodate larger roads. In addition, it has an air inlet to cool the rear brakes.
If we look at the back, on the left side we can see a spoiler with a side that falls all the way down. Definitely, a clue to the radical nature of that proposal. It is logical that both versions were tested in a single unit, since they reduce development costs. The rear lights are a evolution of those presented in R19 Phase 2, although in “coast to coast” style.
Finally, The Renault 19 Quadra turbo rally project was canceled. Nothing is known about what became of the two prototypes, since only the two images that we published that appeared in a French magazine are known. Apparently, the second unit, the one with front-wheel drive, was painted red. A shame, because the truth is that the photographed specimen was outrageous, worthy heir of the Renault 5 Maxi Turbo.
