In 1975, Renault made an announcement to enter the World Rally Championship with a new machine based on their best selling Renault 5. Powering the machine was a 250hp 4-cylinder OHV 1397cc turbo-charged engine which was mid-mounted for optimized weight distribution. Double wishbone suspension featured front torsion bar springs and rear coil springs setup to allow for superb off-road performance. In October 1979, the machine made its race debut at the Giro d?Italia and the following year saw it make WRC debut at the Tour de Corse. At the opening round of the 1981 WRC season, the Monte Carlo Rally saw the Renault demonstrate its great potential to claim the first victor.