Renault 5 E-Tech vs. GT Turbo: A Tale of Two French Icons

The New Renault 5 E-Tech

• ⚡ The new Renault 5 E-Tech is presented as a fabulous, affordable small EV with a decent range, aiming to capture the essence of its predecessors.
• 💰 Starting at £22,995 in the UK, it offers 118 bhp and a 40kWh battery for up to 193 miles of range, with an upgrade to a 52kWh battery and 250 miles of range for an additional £4,000.
• ✨ The design, led by Gilles Vidal, retains iconic styling cues, with features like 18-inch wheels and stylish seats available across the range, making it feel like a true Renault 5.
• 💡 The interior boasts high-quality materials, including seats made from recycled plastic bottles, and design details that hark back to earlier 5s.
• 🚀 While not a hot hatch itself, it shares a compact footprint and a connected driving feel with its ancestors, though a sport mode is essential for adequate performance.

The Classic Renault 5 GT Turbo

• 🚗 The GT Turbo, a 1990 phase 2 model, is highlighted as a fun and engaging hot hatch, despite being overshadowed by contemporaries like the Peugeot 205 GTI.
• 🏎️ Its suspension is significantly lowered, providing a flat and controlled ride in corners, avoiding the lift-off oversteer seen in some rivals.
• 💨 Powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, it produces around 120 bhp and achieves 0-60 mph in under 7.5 seconds, feeling quick despite its modest power output.
• 🕹️ The interior is sparse but functional, featuring a beloved steering wheel and unassisted, feel-rich steering, contributing to its lightweight, agile character.
• 🏅 The GT Turbo is recognized as an unsung hero, distinct from the mid-engine R5 Turbo, and notably, it's the only Group N car to win a WRC rally.

Design and Heritage

• 🎨 The original Renault 5's design by Michel Boué was futuristic for its time, while the second generation was penned by Marcello Gandini.
• 🌟 The new E-Tech, designed by Gilles Vidal, cleverly incorporates nods to older 5s, such as rear door handles and light clusters, without being a mere retro imitation.
• 🇫🇷 Distinctive design details include French flags in the headlights and a charge status light on the bonnet, with the wheels designed like a watch bezel.

Driving Experience and Value

• 🛣️ The E-Tech, weighing 1,449 kg, feels substantial yet controlled, with a low center of gravity and a busy but connected ride, reminiscent of the GT Turbo.
• 🕹️ Engaging the 'Sport' mode is crucial for the E-Tech to unlock its performance and provide a more responsive steering feel.
• 👍 The car offers tremendous value, with a quality interior and physical buttons for controls, making it feel like a premium product at an affordable price.
• 🔋 The E-Tech features brake-by-wire with discs all around, offering a firm pedal and confidence-inspiring braking, even with regenerative braking.
• ⚡ Performance is quick enough with instant EV torque, but it fades, requiring the driver to