Renault 5 Prototype: The rebirth of a cult car, more modern than ever
The soul of a brand is in its roots. Without falling into the past, she has to reconnect with it and draw its inspiration to find the spirit of the glorious times. This is the role of the Renault 5 Prototype, to show that Renault will democratize the electric car in Europe with a modern approach to the popular and essential car. The Renault 5 prototype is a cute, pin-sized, city car taking one of Renault’s timeless success to the future with a modern, 100% electric twist. It kept the fun, anti-crisis and mischievous side, with the pop of yellow highlights. Gilles Vidal’s design team were inspired by a world-renowned cult model from Renault’s past, the R5. The Renault 5 prototype takes strong features from the original design. The modern approach is also evident in the chosen finishes and materials, which are inspired by the worlds of electronics, furniture and sports.
The R5 is immediately recognizable, but thanks to a modern treatment of lines and flush surfaces with futuristic detailing (lights, front face…), the result is resolutely in the spirit of the current times. The styling elements taken from the original design in a modern way hide very modern functions: the bonnet air intake hides the charging hatch, the rear lights include aero flaps, and the fog lamps in the bumper are daytime running lights.
There is even a nod to the original ‘5’ on the side grid, the wheels and the rear logo. The front end and the textile roof drawn from the world of furniture are full of ‘French charm’, a hint of mischief, character that pulls on the heartstrings. The front and rear logos light up, bringing the car ‘to life’. The French flag in the rear-view mirrors to underline the “invented in France” side of the vehicle, the headrest lights and the name displayed on the small transparent screen on the dashboard, invite you to hop in for a ride.