1987 Toyota Supra Turbo Hp ~ dedieideebros

1987 Toyota Supra Turbo Hp

The Renault 5 Turbo 3 restomod Is the perfect blend of old and new.

If there's one thing that France does well, it's quirky and fun-to-drive hatchbacks. Well, that and anything that comes out of the Bugatti factory. With Renault Sport Cars being rebranded as Alpine Cars earlier this year, we're sure that even more fun hatchbacks in the vein of the R5 Turbo, the bonkers Clio V6, and Megane RS are on the way. It's the Renault 5, marketed in the US as the Le Car, that really sold exceptionally well in France in the 1970s and 1980s. It was a simpler time and Legende Automobiles sought to reincarnate the more powerful Renault 5 Turbo of the period with an instantly lovable restomod called the Turbo 3.

Steffen Hess

"Technology has given us many great things, but it has also taken away the tactile experience that we, as car nuts, are missing in today's driving," said Legende Automobiles in a statement that we couldn't agree with more.

To that end, it aimed to recreate a modernized R5 Turbo but one which retained an analog feel from behind the wheel. A sequential transmission with a manual shifter is said to be linked to a four-cylinder turbocharged engine with an impressive 400 horsepower. The grunt is directed to the rear wheels which measure 17 inches, one size larger than the wheels in front. In profile, the R5 Turbo nostalgia instantly kicks in but this modern Turbo 3 comes with some nice details.

Steffen Hess

In front, there are LED headlamps and at the back, you'll find a large rear wing. The rear side glass is surrounded by carbon fiber and there are dual square exhaust tips. Much of the body is made from carbon fiber and it's wider than the original to account for the larger wheels. However, the proportions are very much in tune with the original hatch and it makes a modern Volkswagen Golf GTI look bloated.

Inside, the basic dash of the R5 has been retained but there is a digital instrument display, modern climate controls, and a very tall shift lever. It also boasts a roll cage and special racing seats. In our view, it's a restomod done right. No pricing details have yet been announced for this throwback hot hatch.

Steffen Hess