Renault 5

The Renault 5 was ahead of its time in the early 70s with plastic bumpers and a 3-door hatchback with fold-down seats. Now the R5 will be resurrected as an electric car.

The Five will return

Posted 22/02/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

A year ago, Renault presented a prototype of what could be the successor to the Zoe. It was about a retro design of the legendary Renault 5. At the same time, words like "new wave" and "Renaulution" were used. This is music to the ears of those of us who like Renault.

Could be Zoe's successor

The French carmaker is going all in on electrifying its model fleet, and has announced that all European models will be electric by 2030. It will probably be the next Zoe that will be the debut model for the new wave. It is hardly a coincidence, as the Zoe represented a new wave when it was launched in 2012.

Modern lines and retro design

In terms of design, the new Renault 5 is interesting. Firstly, because it shows modern, straight lines and smooth surfaces like the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Secondly, because it brings forward design elements from previous Renault models. Many of today's car models lack distinctive features. Like several other car brands, Renault needs to strengthen its brand identity. They can succeed in this if "Renaulution" involves reviving fond memories of old models.

Zoe was a breath of fresh air

The Zoe has been an important model for Renault, not just in terms of sales. It has also put Renault on the map as a leading manufacturer of electric cars. In 2021, the Zoe was France's second best-selling electric car with 23 copies, only narrowly beaten by the Tesla Model 573. The Renault Zoe has previously been France's best-selling electric car for several years. Compared to Norway, France is still in the starting pit for electrification. There are very few electric cars outside the big cities. The launch of Zoe almost ten years ago was accompanied by a massive domestic advertising campaign. It was not only the electric car properties that were highlighted, but also the car's bowl-like appearance. Thus, the Zoe campaign probably helped to promote other models from Renault as well.

Well received

The prototype's fresh, straight lines represent a style we will see more of in the near future. Today's contemporary car design with flowing, curved lines, often layered on layer – as the Clio, Megane, Captur and Kadjar have – is on its way out – at least as an electric car shape. Models such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Tesla Cybertruck are coming in. The purpose of prototypes such as the Renault 5 is to test how the public reacts to the new shapes. So far, the new lines have been well received. The design was named Concept-car of the year in September last year by a jury of leading car designers. In January this year, the new Renault 5 was voted the most beautiful concept car by the public at this year's Festival Automobile International in Paris.

Will Renault go for a new five?

It remains to be seen what the Zoe's successor will look like when it goes on sale in 2024. Today's prototype highlights creative and fancy LED lighting, things that fascinate at shows but which, wisely, often don't carry over into production. The press release from the introduction also highlights new IT functions in line with Tesla's solutions. The Renault 5 will use Renault-Nissan's joint platform for battery-drive systems in the B segment (CMF-B EV). But even if everything looks promising for the new Renault 5 now one year after its introduction, the future will depend on what is decided in the boardrooms. One conceivable outcome could be that Renault chooses to stop the project, or produce the Renault 5 only in a limited edition - as Stellantis chose for the Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD. In that case, Zoe may be succeeded by a more anonymous model originating from the current model programme.

Renault 5 celebrates 50 years this year

The Renault 5 appeared in 1972 as a new car class, today referred to as the B-class. The 1972 model was 365 cm long with one wheel in each corner. Today's Clio is 404 cm long. When Renault's prototype is shown together with the "ur-femmern", it is clear that the prototype is a much larger car. In terms of appearance, it is basically more similar to the second generation of the Renault 5 – the one that was eventually called the "super five". These cars were produced until 1996 and are still frequent features on French roads. The latest model series with lacquered grill and smooth surfaces has withstood the age very well.

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Spring break at Øvrevoll

Posted 30/04/2018 by Terje Bjørnstad

- Old cars don't sweat. They mark their territory.

The quote above was overheard from Cars and Coffee at Øvrevoll on Sunday. There were many great cars to see. Many who can look forward to summer in great sports cars, estate cars, hobby cars or utility cars. I stopped by and took, as usual, some pictures.

Volkswagen Golf GTI mk1

Heckflosse

Renault

Yellow is cool

hotrod

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Do you remember these French?

Posted 15/11/2017 by Terje Bjørnstad

The Renault 5 was launched in 1972 as the first in what was to become a completely new series of small cars. The Volkswagen Polo was launched in 1975 and the Ford Fiesta in 1977.

I could tell that the French love their cars and their car history. They also love cartoons. I don't know of any country in the world that has such a large selection of car magazines and comic magazines as them. And if - like me - you like both cars and comics, you can enjoy the fact that the cartoon writers like to draw beautiful classic cars in their plots. We see that not only in Hergé's Tintin and Franquin's Viggo, but also several talented, younger cartoonists who have chosen the same drawing style as the aforementioned gentlemen. I will return to this in a later post.

But then, - while some French people live and breathe for their cars, others completely give up. They seem ignorant of everything to do with cars. They drive carelessly and park wherever they see fit, and don't seem to be bothered by a bump or two.

I have just been on an autumn visit to France. I have sought out a car gathering where several hundred car enthusiasts with and without a car meet. I have also photographed classic French cars that I have come across on the road. It is not only the cars that I have studied, but also the owners of these great vehicles. Some are of course aware that they are driving true French traditions knowing that an old 2CV or Renault 4 is one of the coolest things you can drive in these days. But the most beautiful cars, - the ones that are completely authentic, - are the ones driven by people who are hitchhiking, unaware of the wonderful treasures they are driving around.

Do you remember these French cars when they were on Norwegian roads?

Chrysler in Europe has consisted of, among others, the English Rootes and the French Simca. This model, designed in the USA and produced in France, was marketed as the Chrysler 160, Chrylser 180 and Chrysler 2 litre. Not very exciting names. The cars lacked identity and were almost unsellable in Norway despite active marketing. It sold poorly in its mother countries France and Great Britain, too. When I look at this nice renovated model, I am surprised that it did not do better.

A pontoon body with great similarities to the Mercedes-Benz of the 50s. These cars were popular as taxis, - also in Norway. The station wagon was also extremely spacious, especially the Familale which had an extra row of seats. Long after they stopped producing the 403, it became very popular with Moroccan migrant workers. Few cars coped with the African roads better than these Peugeots.

4 doors and 4 meters long car. The sequel to the Dauphine got sharper and tougher lines. The Renault 8 was popular in motorsport, although I don't remember seeing very many here in Norway. The Simca 1000, on the other hand, was more of them. I remember the Renault 8 as a car for pensioners and old ladies. After I built myself a Renault 4, however, I realized how good the Renault 8 really is for hobbyists. Today it is high on my wish list.

I think it cost from about 30 kroner when it came out in 000. It competed with, among others, the Audi 1971, from 80 and the Passat the following year. Two models were available, one with a 1972 cc engine and the 1015 Club. They are rare to see on the road today, even in France. Here at home they probably rusted away, – but in France, then?

Citroen had intended the Dyane to be the successor to the 2CV. The Dyane was actually a slightly more expensive 2CV, but it didn't have the same appeal to customers as the 2CV. In retrospect, it can be said that the Dyane never quite matched the 2CV in terms of coolness.

Photographed outside the house where the artists Picasso and Braque developed their famous art style "Cubism" at the very beginning of the 1900th century. This Renault is a utility vehicle and means of transportation. Note the special roof rack. (Céret)

Renault 4 photographed along the canal in Perpignan city.

Although they were extremely popular, it's becoming increasingly rare to see a Renault 4 in good running condition. The few that do exist attract attention in a positive sense. I think every street becomes a little more beautiful with a Renault 4 parked there.

I had to take a picture of these two numbered Renault Twingos in the same color (Anis Yellow). Then it's easy to tell which car you're taking, one or two. But the Twingo, which also turns 25 this year, was never brought into Norway. Along the south of France, however, they are still very popular. Most have covered several hundred thousand km, and still roll well.

Another car that was never imported to Norway is the Mehari, here in the color Orange Kirghiz. The cars are based on the Citroen Dyane and have a body made of soft plastic. In France they are like cult cars, but for many they are practical and unfussy cars in fresh colors. They are relatively easy restoration objects. Even the plastic can supposedly be replaced.