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A Rare Renault 5 Turbo 2 Was Modified In The United States With A Mazda 13B Turbo Rotary Engine, Surprising Collectors And Fans By Blending Two Automotive Icons Into A Single Project Valued At Over US$ 100 Thousand.
The Renault 5 has always held a special place in the history of motorsport, especially in its Turbo 2 version, known for its robust lines, rally-derived visuals, and exceptional performance. Now, a unique example of this classic French car has emerged with a bold modification: the replacement of the original engine with a Mazda 13B rotary engine, sparking intense debates among enthusiasts and brand purists.
This Renault 5 Turbo 2 was originally exported to California in 1985 and homologated for street use with a category B driver’s license.
For those familiar with the legacy of the Renault 5, especially in the World Rally Championship, this adaptation is already eye-catching.
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But what really makes this example unique is the replacement of the French engine with a Mazda engine, more specifically the famous 13B, used in the Mazda RX-7.
From French Turbo To Japanese Rotor: The Mechanical Transformation
The original engine of the Renault 5 Turbo 2 was a 1.4-liter four-cylinder with a turbo, capable of generating 160 hp and 220 Nm of torque.
This engine was positioned in the rear and sent power directly to the rear axle, which gave the Renault 5 a radical and aggressive behavior.
The tuning performed by Renault Sport was so effective that the car became a benchmark among sporty compact cars of its time.
In this modification’s case, the owner chose to install the Mazda 13B engine, a 1.3-liter rotary engine with a turbo, characterized by its smoothness, high-pitched sound, and notable performance.
This swap has created a new type of Renault 5, with a Japanese soul and a turbocharged heart.
The Mazda engine, which stood out in the North American market, underwent various evolutions until it reached over 200 hp in the 1990s.
Complex Adaptation And Impressive Results
The adaptation of the Mazda engine to the Renault 5 required a series of structural modifications.
It was necessary to develop a custom aluminum oil pan and a special housing for the engine to work with the original five-speed transmission of the Renault 5.
The work began in 2007 and was detailed by the magazine Car And Driver, which highlighted the project’s complexity.
Even with the Mazda engine installed, the Renault 5 retained several original elements.
The body and striking design of the Renault 5 Turbo 2 remain, including the iconic rear air intakes, which directly reference the rally DNA.
This combination of original aesthetics and a new engine gives the car an air of exclusivity and performance that few models can offer.
Passion, Controversy, And A Six-Figure Value
Furthermore, the original engine of the Renault 5 still accompanies the car, according to information from the listing, which may be one of the factors that increased its market value.
The vehicle was put up for sale and has already surpassed the US$ 100 thousand mark, approximately R$ 568 thousand, a value similar to other Renault 5 Turbo 2 found on specialized websites like Autoscout24.
The final result is a Renault 5 with a dual soul: French in the body, Japanese in the heart. A fusion of past and power, which demonstrates how the love for cars can break technical and geographical boundaries.
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