The Renault 5 is a supermini vehicle that was produced in two generations (1972-1985) by French automobile manufacturer, Renault.
It was known as the Super 5 or Supercinq, and achieved a cult status just like the original Mini.
The first generation Renault 5 was introduced to the public on 28 of January in 1972
Once designed by Michel Boue, who was a designer in his spare time outside his normal working hours, the Renault executives were blown out of the water by Boue’s work, they immediately offered a formal development programme.
Design wise, the car featured a steeply sloping rear hatchback and front dashboard.
Boue originally had plans to place the tail-lights all the way up the away from the bumper into the C-pillar, however this wasn’t implemented and remained at the more ‘conventional’ level.
Unfortunately due to the severity of his illness to cancer, Boue died in 1971, only months off the launch of the Renault, the car he had spent time designing.
In terms of mechanics, the Renault 5 borrowed the brains behind the Renault 4, using its longitudinally mounted engine driving front wheels with torsion bar suspension.
The Renault 5 was one of the first supermini’s to have been designed as a hatchback, which is essentially what Renault capitalized on, leading them to popularity and success due to design.
After it boomed, not too long following, Fiat 127 was released and was also available in hatchback.
In the eyes of the consumer, the Renault 5 was the perfect purchase for those who wanted a cost effective vehicle that was efficient and had guts.
