It is one of its trademarks.
Renault has long been able, better than the others, to smell the spirit of the times and anticipate the evolution of society.
On the heels of the R4, the blue jeans car, and the R16, a hatchback, the former Régie imagined the R5, the mother of all current city cars.
Coming from the 122 project launched in 1967, the new model is the work of the youngest member of the style office, Michel Boué.
Unfortunately, the designer will not see his baby on the street.
He died at the end of 1971 from bone cancer.
Renault 5.Renault
Launched at the end of January 1972, the R5 showed incredible audacity.
Its silhouette breaks with traditional canons.
It has only two doors without handles and a tailgate;
his shields are plastic;
the stripped dashboard accommodates a block which groups together all the instrumentation;
the upholstery is in shiny leatherette;
the rear seat tilts to release a loading platform.
Its grille inaugurates the diamond stylized by Vasarely.
Start of a R5 Cup race.
Renault
In the technical field, the former Régie Renault did not seek to innovate but transposed many proven solutions on previous models with traction, whether the R4, the R16 or the R6.
Around a self-supporting body, the gearbox is placed cantilevered forward in front of the engine installed in a longitudinal position and encroaching into the passenger compartment.
The mechanics come from the manufacturer's organ bank.
The R5 L, the entry-level version, borrows the 782cc 4-cylinder engine from the R4.
It delivers 34 hp at 5,200 rpm and propels the vehicle to 120 km/h.
Derived from the R8, the 956 cm3 of 43 hp drives the R5 TL to 135 km/h.
City size but great versatility
The R5 accompanies the changes in society marked by the emergence of a middle class, the emancipation of women and the appearance of new towns.
At the dawn of the first oil crisis, its sobriety will prove to be an undeniable asset.
The R5 fears nothing.
Pierre Dreyfus, the head of the Régie, believes that the R5 has its place in North America at a time when the oil crisis is encouraging motorists to lower their lifestyle.
It will be “Le Car”.
The initiative will not be successful.
Ever more efficient versions
Renault 5 Alpine.
Renault
More opulent and more elegant than the R4, this 3.50 m sedan is also remarkably versatile.
The new darling of the French deserves its nickname of “Supercar”.
Well received by the press, the R5 exceeded all expectations.
Customers approve of the TL version.
This success encouraged Renault to move upmarket.
There will soon be the LS with the 1.3 liter of the 64 hp R12 TS, the TS and then the Alpine.
The R5 thus earns its sports stripes with the 1.4 liter light alloy cylinder head of 93 hp and the 5-speed gearbox of the R16 TX.
The R5 Alpine exceeds 170 km/h.
Renault 5 Turbo.
Renault
In 1979, the R5, still at the forefront, was available in a 5-door version and offered a new, more opulent dashboard.
The turbo, which cut its teeth in F1 on Renault single-seaters, inspires vitaminized versions: the Alpine Turbo and the bestial Turbo with its bodybuilt bodywork.
With the installation of the engine in the rear central position, the R5 is no longer traction but propulsion.
Playing the role of locomotive of the range, this 160 hp model gives birth to a racing machine which multiplies rally victories.
She thus won the 1981 Monte-Carlo rally with the Ragnotti-Andrié crew.
With the ultimate Maxi Turbo evolution, Renault's star tandem also won the 1985 Tour de Corse.
Victory for the Renault 5 Turbo at the 1981 Monte-Carlo Rally. Renault
In total, the 5 was produced at just over 5.58 million units before giving way to the Supercinq in 1984.
