The type 8221 is the road car Group B Evolution model of the famous Renault 5 Turbo, made in only 200 examples to homologate the 5 Turbo for the most legendary period of rally competition.

The success of the first series Turbo, produced for Group 4 homologation, resulted in 1820 examples built and was followed by a further 3167 for the second series Turbo 2. The 8221 was by far the most rare roadgoing 5 Turbo of them all and as often overlooked, the version most closely related to the iconic Group B Maxi Turbo.

The upgraded 8221 version received a specific 1432 cc engine, type C7K-700, with uprated turbocharger, crankshaft, cylinder head, cylinder head gasket and rocker adjustment. The body was given an aluminum roof, as well as additional aero and geometry changes from the standard Turbo 2. This Particular R5 Turbo 2 type 8221 is the 133rd built and additionally features a selection of highly desirable period Cevennes-specification upgrades, available from the factory when the car sold new, from the Renault Sport Catalog of enhancements: front dampers converted to Bilstein coil over including the required top wishbone adaptation, front lower wishbone Group 4 support brackets and reinforced front anti roll bar mounting plates. In addition the car is also fitted with a large capacity intercooler from highly regarded Renault Turbo specialist 3S Developpement, seen as an approved and valued upgrade.

The car left the factory on November 15, 1984 and was delivered new on the 22nd of April 1985 to the Renault dealership in Montlhéry. From our understanding it changed hands for the first time in 2005, subsequently it was exported out of France for a time before returning in 2016, having been acquired by a M Messalier. Under whose ownership the car’s original “Rouge” color was resprayed and front and rear bumpers and roof moldings attractively done in Griz Bronze. The engine is understood to have been rebuilt and the car serviced by a French specialist before being sold in early 2019 to a Mr. Kerr, who imported it to the United Kingdom and sold it to a Mr. Patel.

During its period of UK ownership the well known and respected model specialist Oliver Melliard was enlisted to inspect the car and confirmed it as a 1985 Renault 5 turbo 2 8221 series, correctly indicated by chassis VIN F0010133, with correct engine number J000188 and noting that the rear chassis sequence number 4492 also stands correct with the age and number of the car. A separate authenticity report was issued by the UK Renault owners club, and more recently factory documentation from Renault Classic has further verified the car’s originality but also confirmed the gearbox number and original exterior color. While in the UK the esteemed automotive lifestyle brand Petrolicious covered this very car in a dedicated article and photo shoot in London, a further statement to this individual example’s attractiveness as a highly collectible example and spec:

https://petrolicious.com/articles/this-renault-5-turbo-2-turns-the-city-of-london-into-a-group-b-special-stage

In November 2020 the recently serviced car was acquired privately by one of the founders of MOTIKON, himself an owner of an important and highly curated collection of modern classics with motor sport pedigree. To ensure the car would drive as well as it presented it was initially sent to JPR classics, formerly known as John Price Rallying, a world class specialist in the Renault Turbo 2 with over 30 years of experience. After a thorough inspection a comprehensive list of work was completed by JPR. However, Brexit necessitated the car’s relocation to Sweden where the continued work was performed by experienced technicians from MOTIKON, overseen by Oliver Melliard, and using new or restored parts from 3S Developpement in France.

A list of the major work and parts replaced under current ownership:
-new high and low pressure fuel pumps
-installation of high pressure braided fuel pump kit
-starter motor overhauled
-gear linkage repaired
-Bilstein front coil overs restored
-new front brake discs
-electrical repair work
-new ignition coil
-new ignition module
-new distributor cap and rotor
-new high quality silicone spark plug leads
-new spark plugs
-restored fuel regulator
-restored K-Jetronic fuel injection
-inspected fuel injectors
-fully restored turbo including new turbo housing

Following this work the car was tested at PBZ’s advanced dyno facility to ensure the correct function of the new parts. Although the 8221 was never officially rated by Renault with a higher power rating than the standard Turbo 2, the stroked 1432 cc engine of the 8221 Evolution has generally been rumoured to deliver 180hp. During the recent dyno the engine of the car on sale was set conservatively for reliability, with dyno results showing it produces 159hp to the wheels. This not only corresponds to an equal or even greater actual crank horsepower than the rumored 180hp but also serves as a testament to the very good health of the engine in the car on offer. After the final revision work the car has only been driven a few kilometers and therefore remains in such newly and comprehensively revised condition.

The original Series 2 seats will be included in the sale of the car, which is currently fitted with the lightweight, factory derived, Bertone designed Series 1 seats. These early ‘H’ pattern T1 seats, in red and fitting well with the interior colour scheme, are a very desirable upgrade and have strong value within the marketplace. A less well preserved two seat set was recently sold on Bringatrailer for just under 16.000USD. In addition to the original rims on the car, a second set of Minilite rims will also be included with the sale. Also note that the car comes complete with original Gotti spare wheel, often missing and difficult and costly to source, as well as original parcel shelf and original service book.

A Carfax report is included with first entry 1985-01-1 when registered from new, followed by the next entry of February 2021 when registered in Sweden,and shows no accidents or other damage during this period. An adjoining report details the car’s history while registered in France and the car will be accompanied by its Renault Classic “Certificate of production and dating”.

The 8221 is arguably the most collectable Renault Turbo 5 variant and this one, with superbly attractive and dynamic spec, is a highly restored and well cared for, confirmed matching numbers example which has benefited from inspection and revision from several of the most respected Turbo 5 specialists. As such its condition far exceeds what the mileage normally would indicate and is ready to be enjoyed and driven just as its motor sport heritage would encourage.

Chronology:

1984-11-15 Production date
1985-04-22 Delivery To Renault Montlhéry
1985-05-03 First registration: France
1985-05-06 Service 2873 km
2005 Change of owner
Year unknown Exported out of France.
2016-04 Reimported to France
2016-04-11 Change of owner
2016-12-21 Repainted
2017-10 80800 km: advertised for sale
2019-01-19 Change of owner
2019-02-27 86,509 km Technical Inspection France
2019-05-03 86,878 km Technical Inspection UK
2019-06-03 Inspection by Melliard
2019-07-27 87,000 km Change of owner
2019-09-06 Authenticity report Renault Owners club
2019-10-17 Registered: United kingdom
2020-08-19 Petrolicious Article
2020-10-28 Service JL engineering
2020-10-30 89,249 km Technical inspection: UK
2020-11-06 89,270 km Change of owner
2020-11-10 89,412 km JPR Inspection
2020-12-04 JPR Revision
2021-02-26 Import to Sweden
2021-04-21 89,469 km Technical inspection: Sweden
2021-07-12 3S DEVELOPPEMENT parts and revision
2021-12-09 PBZ engine dyno
2023-05-31 90,421 km Technical inspection: Sweden