SOME things from the Eighties need to stay in the Eighties.
Shell suits, Milli Vanilli and Chris Waddle’s mullet spring to mind.
Actually, I’m on a roll, Grolsch bottle tops on your DMs (that’s Doc Marten boots, not direct messages), yuppies, pagers, fax machines, fluorescent socks, short shorts, SodaStream, Yugo and Lada.
But there’s still plenty to love including arcade games, ET, Raleigh’s BMX Burner, Now That’s What I Call Music! and the Renault 5.
Yes.
It’s back.
Sacrebleu!
The French supermini has been reinvented for the electric age.
Retro cool but clean and quiet and with Apple CarPlay.
Best of all, it will start at £25k. Cheaper than a Mini Electric.
Cheaper than a Fiat 500e.
I don’t normally talk about design — we all have different tastes.
But those swollen wheel arches are clearly a nod to the old rocket-boot Renault 5 Turbo and please me greatly.
The upright rear lights are also classic R5, as is the off-centre bonnet vent if you know your French onions.
Except this time round the air vent is a glow-up “5” charging indicator.
There are more Eighties vibes inside with the two-tier padded dash, H-design seats and rectangular instrument cluster with rounded edges.
We’re less fussed about the “lipstick case” gear selector and clip-on accessories like a baguette holder.
The French supermini has been reinvented for the electric age
Although it might hold a bottle of wine. Or some petrol station flowers.
The electric-only R5 will come in two battery sizes — 40kWh for people who stay local and are happy to recharge every 186 miles or so, and 52kWh for 248 miles non-stop.
The 40kWh battery is paired with a 120hp e-motor and the 52kWh battery, costing £29k upwards, has a 150hp e-motor.
Both are front-wheel drive with short-ratio steering and multi-link rear suspension for improved comfort and dynamics.
Both will be fun to squirt down a twisty road.
For even more giggles, you’ll want Alpine’s hot rod version, called the A290.
That will be 220hp with a wider track, re-worked front suspension, bigger wheels, torque vectoring by braking, and an OV boost button on the steering wheel for overtaking. Just like an F1 car.
There’s talk of a 270hp version further down the line.
The regular R5 is a dinky 3.92 metres long, which is 9cm shorter than a Clio but a little taller to accommodate the slab of batteries in the floor.
The 362-litre boot will swallow the Friday big shop.
The central 10in touchscreen has a Google brain.
Renault has promised the top trim level will change every year like a fashion capsule.
But you don’t need that.
Now that’s what I call Eighties
The regular R5s will come in brighter colours than a Rubik’s Cube — and with the option of denim upholstery.
Now that’s what I call Eighties.
TURNS out the Renault 5 nearly never happened.
Boss Luca de Meo said: “Until I came here the project was refused.
“There was some kind of design model parked on the side of a big hall. Not the same dimensions. Not fitted on the real platform. They didn’t even call it Renault 5, they called it Echo, for eco car.
“But I said, ‘This is exactly what we have to do’. I was in love at first sight. I wanted to make this car and invent the best small EV in the world.”
Voila.
De Meo added: “The UK will be one of the places where the Renault 5 will have success.
“You guys like such kind of cars, right. You are passionate about automotive. You think with the brain but also with the heart.”
Next on Renault’s to-do list is to revive Renault 4 and Twingo as electric cars.
De Meo promised all three would get cheaper as battery costs lowered.
Price: £25,000
Battery: 40kWh
Power: 120hp
0-62mph: 9 secs
Top speed: 93mph
Range: 186 miles
CO2: 0g/km
Out: 2025
