The Beginning

The Renault 5 was given Its international launch in January 1972, The substance of its sales potential and technical conception resided 'In the wide and growing demand for a car of greater stature and presence than the Mini, more refined than the Renault 4, certainly more sophisticated than the Dyane or DAF, and 'trendier' than the Morris 1000 or Toyota Corolla. The shadow image 'In the public mind was of a smallish, luxurious, peppy hatchback-or rather estate car, since the term hatchback was not at that time current in Europe. There was also the vague notion of a 'big Mini not such a contradiction 'In terms as might be supposed.

Renault were actually pipped to the post by Fiat, who launched their 127 In October 1971, but that car was not the subject of such massive promotion, nor did its design catch the imagination In quite the same way. Nevertheless 'It has always been competitive in the 'big Mini' league which was later to include the VW Polo and Ford Fiesta.

The new car made it’s UK debut at the Earls Court, London Motor Show in October, and was instantly acclaimed. Far more than simply a model slotting between the R4 and R6, it was in its own right a transportation unit of the new age the epitome, in fact, of the environmental motorcar.

For Renault and particularly the UK company, It was gratifying that the car had already had conferred upon it the title of Car of the Year in the Daily Telegraphic BBC TV Honours list'. The R5 was winner of the low-price category of these awards, but was also voted overall runner-up (to the jaguar XJ12). It was also voted overall Car of the Year by Car magazine. At that time, and even more so now, the compact car could be seen as a most desirable concept, If not yet quite a vital necessity, bearing in mind the increasing density of traffic, not only in city centres but in the suburbs and at peak touring times even on the highways.

The Renault 5 was certainly a compact car, and being only 11ft 6in long, it was a true city and commuter car. At the same time it earned 'Itself a place 'In the next higher class. The 956 cc version-and general performance little below that of many medium-sized and priced saloons. As a bonus, it had the estate car facility giving rear-door access to 91/2 cu ft of luggage space, or a generous 313/4 cu ft with rear seat folded.