► Renault 5 memories by the CAR team
► As new model lands, we recall the old
► First cars, fast cars, fun cars, sunk cars
A few of us on CAR magazine have a long relationship with the Renault 5 E-Tech. So as the new one goes on sale to rave reviews, we thought we’d rake over a few memories of the original, which first arrived in production in 1972.
From those who learned to drive in one to a senior Bauer executive who flooded theirs, plus a look back to what LJK Setright thought of the 1980s Renault 5 Turbo rocketship in period – we consider the import of the original.
Renault 5: this is your life…
My first car – an unripe tomato red Renault 5 GTL, by group digital editorial director Tim Pollard
‘I owned a Mk1 Renault 5 on a Y-reg as my first car. I generously described the orange-peeled paint as “unripe tomato red” and the less practical three-door as “a coupe” bodystyle. The heater didn’t work, the sills were beginning to bubble with rust and the wipers occasionally conked out, but it was brilliant: a passage to freedom during my uni years and first job as a cub reporter on the local newspaper.
‘Three years of ownership cemented my nascent opinion of French cars. It was an attractive, wholesome design – stylish, yet simple, democratically priced transport for the people. And it had a pillowy ride thanks to soft suspension, which led to some alarming angle of dangle during spirited cornering but which also meant long journeys were dispatched in extreme comfort. I can’t wait to try the new electric Renault 5, as they’ve successfully captured the spirit of the original yet updated it wholesomely for the new electric era. La Regie has always been good at progressive design, and it’s increasingly unlocking the potential of its extraordinary back catalogue. Plus ça change…’
Super sank: how my Renault 5 cheated death on a Norfolk beach, by Charlie Calton-Watson, chief digital officer at CAR’s parent company Bauer Media
‘I learned to drive in a white Renault 5 1.4 GTS and, being 17 years old at the time, I of course named him – and that name was George. I bought him off my sister who had given up learning to drive after crashing into someone on only her second outing. George was everything I needed: a four-door, with a strong engine, a manual choke, wind-up windows and a removable stereo that survived my uni years at Newcastle.
‘We had many adventures together, but the most extraordinary tale was when we popped over to the Norfolk coast one day. We parked up, headed out for a walk and returned a couple of hours later, hearing other walkers muttering about an unfortunate “sunken car.” I returned to the car park to discover poor George had been caught by a freak tidal flood and been turned into a submersible. Cue panicked calls to parents on a payphone (this was a long time ago…) and an attempted rescue mission.
‘We waited for the tide to go out, popped some bin bags on the front seats and nervously turned the key. The trusty 1.4 engine not only started first time, but faithfully carried us the 90 miles back home – conking out from a frazzled alternator only once we’d reached my home town. A £50 repair later and a lot of drying out, and George was back on fine form. He continued faithful service for another two years, by which time I was living in London. I owned him for seven years in total, and he never let me down.’
Renault 5 alive – just about… by CJ Hubbard, head of the automotive hub
‘I’ve never owned a Renault 5 – or a Renault at all, actually, though a Renault Megane R26 is calling my name a little at the moment – but several of my school friends had them as first cars, and I have vivid memories of being punted around deepest, darkest Dorset country lanes in the things, inexperienced drivers sawing away at the wheel trying to find their way round the corners, angle of lean on the soft suspension like a ship tacking furiously in battle.
‘My most enduring memory of the previous models was the one owned by the conductor of the local youth orchestra, who would occasionally be kind enough to give me a lift when the performances were further out of town. The thing was forever running on just three cylinders, requiring the sporadic application of percussive remedial action at the side of the road. Yet it was always still running. As far as I’m aware it never actually left him stranded, and he was never late for a show. Simpler times.’
The joy of the Renault 5 Turbo: an archive gem by celebrated CAR magazine columnist LJK Setright
‘With its intercooler and injection, this must be one of the two or three best turbo jobs in production, and in view of their competition plans Renault were right to choose turbocharging for the sheer power it can liberate. As a road car, it would have been nicer with the R30 V6 engine that they considered as an alternative; but that fashionable word “Turbo” blazed along the car’s fat flanks will attract far more buyers than will ever go for the V6-powered Alpine 310 Berlinetta, a car that is better shaped and has even less room for luggage than this R5.
‘Why quibble over the slightly inadequate ventilation or the loose feeling of the super structure? It is a sports car, and one that earns its status. It can take a corner 40% faster than most things on the road, accelerate out of it faster, brake harder for the next one, and with more than 20 gallons of petrol in its tanks, it can go on doing it tirelessly for a very long way. Never mind the quibbles, the car itself is marvellous for the road – any road.’
Read the full story by LJK here
Why the Renault 5 makes an alternative retrofit EV, by new cars editor Alan Taylor-Jones
‘There’s an awful lot to love about the 5 Retrofit, but it’s somewhat hampered by regulations. The tiny power output almost certainly helps the range and also longevity of the original ‘box, yet you do feel somewhat exposed on the open road with such modest acceleration. Another 20bhp or so would cheer things up no end, although the idea of even heavier batteries in the boot does not appeal at all.
‘However, as a quirky city car for those in no hurry the electric 5 is an utter joy as the smile found in every picture will attest to. The idea of those looks and driving experience with the kind of dependability owners of classics can only dream of is a very appealing one, especially knowing that you’re emitting no local emissions and giving a 5 an environmentally friendly second life.’
Read Alan’s Renault 5 Retrofit review