Renault is going to great lengths to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its little sedan called 5 or R5, depending on where you come from.
The French automaker teased initial images of its as-yet-unnamed electric “sports and unusual show car” ahead of its unveiling during an online show on September 22.
The retro show car will then be exhibited in person at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille event in France on 24 and 25 September, as well as at the 2022 Paris Motor Show starting on 17 October.
Initially it was thought that this concept was a different and more performing version of the revamped Renault 5 EV concept. As this bears obvious links to the 1980s Renault 5 Turbo, this remains likely, although whether it is production ready or just a show car remains to be seen.
Renault notes that the show car is a “100% electric reinterpretation [of the Renault 5] inspired by the world of video games ”, and is a“ contemporary tribute to its most legendary sports versions ”.
Although the French automaker has yet to claim any horsepower or torque for the unnamed concept car, it claims it has a high level of performance.
While it’s hard to make out all the details in the dark teaser images, it’s evident this concept car is wild and bears some similarities to Ken Block’s Porsche 911, the Hoonipigasus Pikes Peak racer.
At the front are a number of what appear to be low-mounted rally fog lights, as well as a full-width light bar with a pixelated design.
It is from the front that you can also see the swollen wheel arches which are extremely exaggerated and house rally-inspired turbofan wheels wrapped in huge Michelin tires.
At the rear is where things turn up to 11, though, as there’s a huge rear wing that would be at home on a time attack car, plus an over-the-top rear diffuser that lets us see underneath the car. .
Inside the show car are Sabelt racing bucket seats with what appears to be a hydraulic handbrake between them. There is also a racing instrument cluster in front of the driver’s seat.
The original small Renault 5 sedan debuted in 1972 and although it was never officially sold in Australia, it was extremely popular in Europe.
In its lifetime, Renault has sold more than five million of the 5 units globally.
In 1980, Renault unveiled the homologated 5 Turbo, designed primarily as a rally car and featuring the bodywork of the Italian design company Bertone.
Unlike the normal Renault 5 which had a front engine and front wheel drive, the 5 Turbo had a mid engine and rear wheel drive.
The Renault 5 Turbo road-going was powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 118 kW of power and 221 Nm of torque.
Less than 5000 Renault 5 Turbo road cars were produced during its six years of production.
Renault achieved a string of rally victories with the 5 Turbo and the more powerful 5 Turbo Maxi in the 1980s, and is still regarded as one of the most iconic rally cars.
The French carmaker unveiled a fully electric retro Renault 5 concept in early 2021 which will go into production in 2024 and is inspired by the 1972 original. There will also be a warmer Alpine version.
Renault’s retro revolution won’t end with the upcoming 5. The brand’s electric launch will include a Renault 4-inspired SUV, which could be called the 4ever, which was recently leaked in the patent images.
A concept version of the reborn Renault 4 will also be unveiled at this year’s Paris Motor Show which kicks off in October.
Reports have suggested that the road-going Renault 4 EV will go into production in 2025.
While the road-going Renault 4 and 5 EVs stand still for a few years, it is clear that both are on the schedule for Australia.
“For any new product announced on the EV side, we have our hands up,” Renault Australia CEO Glen Sealey told us in May this year.
MORE: Renault 5 production car scheduled for 2024