Dieppe-based Alpine established itself with the A110, winning the 1973 Monte Carlo Rally and the World Championship. But by the late '70s competitors, like the Lancia Stratos, caught up. Renault had to act fast and decided to compete with a new car in the Group 4 (later Group B), the 5 Turbo.
The little mid-engined, rear-wheel drive beast proved to be a worthy successor, as in 1978, driven by rally legend Jean Ragnotti, also won the Monte Carlo Rally.