No, this is not the Renault 5 Turbo. Those two letters ‘GT’ are what make this version of the R5 a far more down-to-earth suspect than the ludicrous mid-engine monster.

Since this is a history lesson, we thought it best to delve into a model that’s more regularly overlooked, despite being the reason Renault has such a good grasp on fast front-drivers today.

If we want to find the king of the hill for R5 GTs, we look to the Renault 5 GT Turbo Raider, the ultimate version of the four-pot hot hatch. It boasted a formidable 89kW thanks to its 1.4-litre four-banger, which had a Garrett T2 helping it along rather effectively. But that power was only formidable thanks to the R5 GT’s lack of something else – weight.

However, hot hatches aren’t meant to just slay straight lines, and the R5 GT Turbo could conquer corners thanks to a trick suspension setup.

It was designed just for the GT, and included four transverse torsion bars at the rear. The suspension – and by extension, handling – was praised in its day by motoring publications in the UK.

MORE Fast Car History Lesson

After 1990, however, the Renault 5 met its end. It was time for the French marque to move on to build a car that would continue the tradition of lightweight French hot hatches and endure to this day.

We’re talking, of course, about the Renault Clio.

1985-1991 RENAULT 5 GT TURBO SPECS Engine: 1397cc inline-4, OHV, 8v, turbo Power: 89kW @ 5750rpm Torque: 164Nm @ 3000rpm Weight: 830kg 0-100km/h: 8.0sec (claimed) Price (New): £7360 (1986 GT)

3 FAST FACTOIDS

1. This came first

2. Range topper

3. Not this one