The "Renault 5 Alpine" was born from Renault's desire to provide its range of models with a sports car that would also be capable of being driven with pleasure on the road. A car to give continuity to the "Gordini" mystical, so well represented by the "Renault 8" and that the "Renault 12" has never been able to achieve.
So, why did they rename it as "Alpine" instead of keeping it as "Gordini"?
Most likely as a tribute to its creators, since this car was practically developed by Alpine, an independent company (although with strong connections to Renault). In fact, this model was marketed in England as "Gordini" (because the name "Alpine" had already been registered in that country by Chrysler / Rootes, a UK manufacturer).

So, in March 1976 the Renault 5 Alpine is born. A car with an almost anonymous look (as only a few details distinguish it from other models in the range), but with greatly enhanced mechanics and able to please the motor sports lovers.

Visually, the car is distinguished only by specific logo decals, additional headlights, rims of exclusive design, more sophisticated interiors, sport type seats and chrome pedals. It was available in five colors: Black or Metallic Grey with red logo decals, Metallic Alpine Blue with silver logo decals and Bright Red or Garden Green with black logo decals. Throughout its market life, the R5 Alpine showed little change.
In 1978 new rims were introduced, with a unique and massive design with only three small slits (resembling the magnetic tape reels used in tape recorders of that time), which were also used in the Alpine A310 V6. In July 1978 the dashboard clock changed from analog to digital. In 1980 the interior suffered some improvements highlighting the possibility of folding the rear seats separately. At the end of its production in 1981, it receives a Weber 32 DIR 97 double carburetor.

The Renault 5 Alpine uses an engine derived from the R5 TS with its capacity increased to 1397 cm3, coupled to a 5-speed gearbox from the Renault 16 TX. This arrangement produces 93 bhp capable of bringing the R5 Alpine to a top speed of 170 km/h with very good acceleration. The first 1000m are completed in 32.5 sec.

Click the pictures for slide show

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
  
• 
• 
• 
• 

Production figures for the R5 Alpine are as of 55942 units.

The release of the R5 Alpine was an immediate success. In such a way that a competition version was soon developed with a "Group 2" variant approved in August 1976. This competition version developed 137 bhp with a top speed of 186 km/h and the first 1000m completed in 30.2 sec.

Production figures for this "Group 2" version are as of 674 units.

• 
• 
  
• 
• 
• 
• 

It was with one of these cars that Fréquelin and Ragnotti won the 2nd and 3rd places in the 1978 Monte Carlo Rally. They also drive these cars on the France Championship and on many of the World Rally Championship events.

It is also in 1978 that Renault launched a special edition of the R5, called "Monte Carlo", with a characteristic yellow and red paint, to commemorate the results obtained by Ragnotti and Fréquelin at the rally events, driving the Renault 5 Alpine.

• 
• 
• 
• 

September 1981 marks the end of production for the Renault 5 Alpine N/A (naturally aspirated) which was replaced in 1982 by the Renault 5 Alpine Turbo.