There are some cars that are made with a specific aim in mind: to get you from A to B. Others, however, succeed in rising to something greater, and, through a blend of design, functionality, and personality, become a part of automotive history. The Renault 5 is definitely in the category of second. This small hatchback was introduced in a dynamic era in the European automotive market and quickly became a staple of everyday mobility, combining style and affordability with usability. It was sold as “Le Car” in the U.S. and, in Europe, was one of the most-recognized small cars ever, with over nine million units sold, staying the top-selling car in France for ten years.

Its amazing heritage lives on to today at Renault. The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, its new interpretation of the much-loved original, was naturally the star of attention at the Geneva Motor Show. The new model’s retro-inspired look and bold stance have been harmoniously married with the latest in electric technology, reminding enthusiasts how the Renault 5 has become one of Renault’s most celebrated designs. The new R5 looked great even though the show featured all the latest and greatest in the science of cars, it was special in that it was still a car that appealed to modern buyers as well as those who never knew cars without hatchbacks.

However, the Renault 5 saga is not just about good sales. It’s the story of creativity, engineering excellence, daring design, motorsport success and the people who turned a normal project into an automotive icon. The Renault 5 showed that a family car could be exciting, innovative and memorable; it went from its unexpected meager beginnings to performance legends such as the Alpine, Turbo and GT Turbo.

1. The Initial Stages of the Original’s Early Years

Unlike some of the other cars that followed, the Renault 5 wasn’t an over-committed flagship project with unlimited funding. On the contrary, it had arose out of a practical problem for Renault in the late 1960s. As other manufacturers began to come out with more capable small cars, the company saw the need for a modern compact car. Car models like the Datsun Cherry and the Fiat 127 were changing customers’ expectations and giving rise to the supermini class. Renault knew that the demands of these new expectations needed a practical and affordable solution.

Key Development Priorities:

• Increasing demand for mini cars
• Raising the expectations of customers is a common mistake made by competitors
• The practice of moving families around the city
• Cost-effective development strategy
• The supermini segment is defined by the foundation

Renault’s planning department knew it had a need for a new vehicle that could satisfy both urban use and practicality for the daily use of the family. Renault’s planning head Bernard Hanon got the go-ahead for a project he dubbed “a car for all seasons.” The idea was embraced, but the company didn’t have the platform design in place, nor the funding necessary for an entire new platform.

Instead of starting from scratch, Renault took the practical approach of basing the new model on the trustworthy Renault 4. The use of proven mechanical components enabled both a reduction in the development cost and the ability of the designer to concentrate on designing a new system. The choice eventually proved to be one of the main factors for the quick evolution and success of the Renault 5 in the market.

2. After Hours Inspiration by Michel Boué

Renault’s dedication of stylist Michel Boué was the key to the Renault 5. Although there was no official design program in place, at only 36 he felt the company was in need of a stylish and modern compact car. He drew sketches by himself, based on the mechanical design of the Renault 4, in the evenings and on weekends. His passion and initiative eventually turned an idea into a concept that could be a new and promising idea.

Some of Boué’s Highlights in his Contribution:

• Self-regulated design work outside of class time
• The modern 2-door hatchback concept
• Based on Renault 4 platform
• Accepted and approved by company management
• The appearance is designed by a single designer

His unofficial project slowly transformed into an elegant two-door hatchback, with a radical new appearance when compared to the Renault models available at the time. Boué showed his drawings to Renault’s management and the reactions were so positive that it was overwhelming. His idea was instantly recognised as being similar to what the company wanted to create.

In house, the project was referred to as “Projet 122.” The Renault 5 was in part the creation of a single designer, as opposed to many modern cars developed by large teams. Passion was so high that the project’s future was seen too soon by senior executive Jean-Claude Maroselli, who had, in fact, postponed his retirement in order to see what the future would hold.

3. Engineering on a Budget: The Renault 4 Foundation

After the design of the exterior was approved, Renault’s engineers focused on making the project a reality as quickly and as cheaply as possible. Time and cost efficiency continued to be the primary concerns and the Renault 4 was the obvious technical base. It was built in a reliable structure that enabled fast development and good reliability. It was a practical engineering solution that ensured that the project was completed within the budget without compromising on the quality.

Engineering Foundation:

• Renault 4 chassis reused
• All mechanical components left intact as proof
• Suspension system with easy torsion bars
• A good selection of on-the-market engines were available
• Cost-efficient production approach

It is one of the Renault 5’s most distinguishable features that it adopted the chassis and torsion-bar suspension from the Renault 4. The suspension provided an outstanding level of ride quality and as a result the compact hatch-back coped with the poor surface conditions with remarkable ease. It was praised by modern car magazines for its smooth handling, especially for its low price.

Renault’s philosophy also guided the choice of the powertrain. The early models were of the same four-cylinder engines that were available on the Renaults at that time, such as the 782cc and 956cc engines. With the gearbox in front of the engine, the Renault 5’s gear lever was placed on the dashboard, a characteristic that was soon to be one of its most memorable.

4. The Radical Innovations of the Time

While all the mechanical components used in the Renault 5 were well established, the body was a new departure in car design. It was one of the most innovative aspects because of its wrap-around polyurethane bumpers that offered durability and a contemporary look. When chrome bumpers were the things in vogue, Renault came up with a sensible idea which added to the car’s unique styling. This innovative strategy made the Renault 5 competition worthy.

Innovative Design Features:

• Replacing the existing Bumpers with Wrap around polyurethane bumpers introduced
• The enhanced durability of cities
• Chrome with modern styling
• Aerodynamic body shape developed
• These are the rear hatches and how to make them work

The bumpers were originally designed in gray as it was not possible to develop the painting techniques that were suitable. The bumpers were particularly helpful in congested European cities. The Renault 5 was often virtually unscathed by minor parking damage to conventional metal bumpers, which made it a very appealing car for city drivings.

The body was also optimized for aerodynamics to have a drag coefficient of around 0.37, which is an impressive result for the time. The vehicle’s design, coupled with its functional rear hatch, made it a very popular form in Europe, and inspired many small cars that have come since.

5. The Brass Flute of the Holy Spirit

Renault’s official launch of the Renault 5 was met with overwhelming public interest. A two-door body has been considered by the company executives and it was thought that this specification would deter potential buyers, particularly in France. The worries faded away when the car’s sleek design, budget-friendly price, and versatility appealed to the drivers. The Renault 5 quickly became one of the most popular small cars in Europe.

What is the reason for its success:

• Attractive modern exterior styling
• Affordable ownership experience
• Reliable mechanical components
• Comfortable everyday driving
• Practical family-friendly design

Soon the Renault 5 was the top selling car in France for about a decade. This was created due to its wide acceptance which made it accessible to young professionals, expanding households and experienced motorists. It was a well-balanced recipe that made it so successful. Reliable engineering meant reliability and low running costs and Michel Boué’s new styling gave it a modern look that set it apart from rivals. It was a mix that, even after years of trying, few competitors can match comfortable suspension, spacious loading area, and effective packaging.

6. It’s Tragic Visionary Loss

The Renault 5 is a commercial success, but its tale also has an emotional element. The designer behind the project, Michel Boué, didn’t live long enough to see its long-term effects. He changed the Renault 5 into one of the most iconic compact cars of his era. Unfortunately, he never had to spend his life in that world for which his design was ultimately recognized.

A Lasting Legacy:

• Designer died in his early years
• Fought the battle with spine cancer bravely
• Lack of recognition worldwide
• Inspired future automotive designs
• Loved by fans around the world

A few months after the Renault 5 went into production, Boué died, after a long battle with spinal cancer. He died right at the moment when the car was being recognized worldwide, and was unable to see the evolution of its popularity and influence. This is one of the sweetest stories in automotive history, as they like to say, and one of the bitterest. The Renault 5 exuded a unique design and functionality that captivated millions of drivers, but the creator of the car never got to witness the impact of his creation on automotive history.

7. The French Connection: Le Car

Renault expanded the Renault 5 into America during 1976 where its early performance was less than satisfactory. However, early sales were significantly below expectations and the results pointed to the fact that sales success in Europe was not guaranteed outside of Europe. Instead of the project being shelved, Renault decided to reimagine its marketing approach and greatly bolster its efforts in the United States. These modifications slowly turned the tides of the model’s luck in the very competitive market.

American Market Strategy:

• The first few sales were not as expected
• Made the concept of memorable Le Car a reality
• Emphasised unique French traits
• Robust nationwide dealer network
• Better performance in the overseas markets

Renault felt the need for a new identity, hence the iconic ‘Le Car’ branding and a brand new marketing campaign. The new concept focused more on the French character and unique styling of the car, distinguishing it from both domestic and imported models. The Renault was closely strengthened by the tie-up with American Motors Corporation, which was able to give Renault access to a much broader dealership network. Over the next few years sales began to rise significantly, showing that good branding, improved distribution and marketing to the right audience could be a great success in selling the Renault 5 outside Europe.

8. Alpine and Gordini give birth to the ‘Hot Hatch’

The Renault 5 soon proved itself capable of much more than being an economical means of transport. Renault was quick to recognise the sporty potential of the model and in 1976 the Renault 5 Alpine was launched. It was there long before the Volkswagen Golf GTI became popular, and it was the catalyst that helped set the stage for the hot hatch. The Alpine combined practicality with a very fun-to-drive ride, which was perfect for any performance enthusiast.

Performance Evolution:

• The first Hot Hatch enthusiast
• Lightweight performance-focused design
• The new engine and handling also make driving the car more enjoyable
• Everyday practicality maintained
• We have an enthusiastic following for our club

The combined light weight construction and the improvements in engine performance meant that the Renault 5 was accelerated in an exciting manner, while the practicality was preserved. It provided drivers an enjoyable mix of normal use and performance. The model was introduced in the United Kingdom under the name Gordini, in honour of famous performance specialist Amédée Gordini. It was also very responsive, very powerful and the work it did was very interesting to drive which made it popular and a favorite of today’s car buffs.

9. The Mid-Engined Rally Legend

Renault took the Renault 5 concept further still, developing a truly amazing performance hatch. Renault 5 Turbo was an extraordinary transformation of the family car, making it a purpose built rally car. Renault wasn’t simply adding more power, but was also coming up with a new idea for the car, one that would be at the very top of motorsports. The result was an icon of a rally performer.

Rally Performance Highlights:

• This engine is housed in the midship position in the body with turbocharging
• Aerodynamically designed for aggressive width body
• For competitions, it was constructed for rally competition
• Outstanding performance capabilities
• Winners of Monte Carlo Rally

Instead, the Renault 5 Turbo had a turbocharged engine behind the front seats, and eliminated the rear compartment. The changes enabled a much more sophisticated cooling system, larger wheel arches and a great deal of performance improvement that made the Turbo look like nothing like a regular hatchback.

The fruits of the competition were soon apparent. Under the capable hands of Jean Ragnotti, the Renault 5 Turbo won a memorable win at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1981. It was the platform which saw the birth of some of the greatest rally legends and the amazing potential of the Renault 5.

10. A New Generation: The Superfive 

With the growing competition in the mid-’80s, Renault was forced to create an updated version of the original Renault 5. Under the new bodywork, the Superfive, or second generation, model, was a more streamlined design with updated aesthetics. Renault have focused on enhancing comfort, performance and convenience, whilst keeping all of the original qualities which have made it so popular in the first place. It resulted in a more advanced, but still familiar, development.

Major Engineering Improvements:

• New exterior styling modern appearance
• Its inception was in a crossway engine layout
• Adopted new MacPherson front suspension
• Make order in the classroom and pack up
• Better handling, braking, and maneuvering capabilities

The Superfive was styled by famous Italian designer Marcello Gandini and had a rather modern look, which was a representation of the new trends in the automotive world. A traditional transverse engine layout and MacPherson strut front suspension were used in conjunction with the new bodywork.

These engineering enhancements provided more refinement, better use of space and better driving characteristics. The Superfive was never offered in the USA but it certainly helped to drive sales of the Renault 5 in Europe, when competition for compact, small hatchbacks was increasing.

11. The GT Turbo 1

The GT Turbo was the GT version of the Renault 5, which was the performance flagship of all the Renault 5 variants. It was conceived for 1985 and designed to be light while having an over-stressed 1.4-liter engine, resulting in lots of acceleration and excitement. It was instantly a classic among the most fun hot hatches of all time. The GT Turbo was a popular choice for performance enthusiasts looking for budget-friendly options.

GT Turbo Highlights:

• Turbocharged 1.4-liter engine
• Lightweight performance-focused construction
• Strong mid-range acceleration
• Enhanced phase 2 refinement
• This is an 80’s Hot Hat

The GT Turbo was powered by a Garrett T2 turbocharger, and was very spirited, a characteristic that made the original models exciting and challenging to drive. In 1987, the revised Phase II had the output increased to approximately 115 horsepower, with water-cooled turbocharging providing an even more powerful and refined engine.

It was always praised for its spirited power band through the middle of the rev range and quick acceleration, during its road testing. The GT Turbo was one of the hallmarks of the 80’s hot hatches because of its combination of lightweight engineering, good handling and turbocharged performance even today it is still highly respected by enthusiasts.