Is the Renault 5 about to return?

The French manufacturer is pondering a comeback for the diddy classic. Ollie Marriage reports

Posted by: Ollie Marriage, 13 January 2012

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Renault 5

Renault is considering bringing back the Renault 5. No idea what we're on about? Then you're too young to remember what a cool, chic thing it was back when it was launched in 1972. Widely considered the first ever supermini, Renault is hoping that a possible return would give it some of the credibility and fizz that's lacking at the bottom of its model range.

Yes, Twingo and Clio, we're looking at you. So, you could view this potential comeback as Renault's reply to Citroen's super-successful DS3 - but that would be wrong.

Renault's global marketing and communications boss, Steve Norman, says: "It would be a different type of car, more than a Twingo, and a back up for the Clio. The original 5 made a statement and [a new one] would have to do the same again. It would be a car to recapture the spirit of the original, but the design would not be retro."

Reading between the lines, this means the Twingo hasn't done the job that Renault surely intended: to mimic the Fiat 500 and bring kudos and youthful buyers back to the brand. So, a question, TopGear.com. Do you care about the Renault 5? Would you buy a new version? And more broadly, do you care about Renault? Share your thoughts below as usual.

Now, that's traditionally the end of the story, but it's worth filling you in on some other Renault news while we're here. The Modus supermini-MPV thing is to die soon, but will be replaced by a "more glamorous" version. The fourth generation Clio is set to be launched this summer and will "over deliver on design and innovation", and the lovable Twizy, due in the UK in March, will be launched with a partnership from outside the car industry, the likes of which we've never seen before, apparently.

But back to that mooted new Renault 5. A good idea?

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cheap to ensure alternative for younger drivers would be good like the original

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DS3's aren't cheap to insure or cheap to buy relatively speaking, it wouldn't attract young people if they're aiming for the DS3

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A new R5 TURBO. Yes! Boring ones with small engines: yawn.

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Only if there's a bonkers RenaultSport. Otherwise, not for me.

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Sure! Why not? If renault want to keep up with citroen, fiat and others must have new and exciting cars. Otherwise they will get bored and bored every time they reveal a new car...

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