With Twingo, 4L, R5, R17, and Alpine, Renault is going for the old classics.

The Renault stand at the Paris Motor Show increasingly resembles a nostalgic reflection of past glories.

When Renault announced the resurrection of the R5 in a 100% electric version, the French manufacturer certainly did not expect such enthusiasm. Evolving a car like the diamond brand regularly does with Clio, Megane, Scenic, or Espace is one thing, but bringing back to life a model that disappeared 30 years ago is another. It’s a kind of Jurassic Park operation that raises questions.

There is, however, a recent precedent with the Alpine A110. In this case, it’s not a model that has come back to life but a brand! When the return of Alpine to competition was announced 12 years ago, preceding a new mass-production model, who could have imagined that the Dieppe brand would today be the only manufacturer in the world alongside Ferrari to be present in both Formula 1 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans? Let’s remember that this initiative was then privately driven by the French structure SIGNATECH.

Alpine continues on its path with its first electric model, the 290, which is nothing less than a supercharged R5. A bit like the Renault 5 Alpine launched in 1976. The circle is complete, and Renault could have left it at that… but no! Because after the R17 Show Car born from the fertile imagination of designer Ora Ïto, now the electric Renault 4 is announced! And let’s not forget the new Twingo, which will also be presented to the public for the first time at the Motor Show.

Is it better before?

Let’s recall that regarding original vehicles, the production of the Alpine A110 ceased in 1977, that of the R17 in 1979, that of the R4 in 1995, that of the R5 in 1996, and that of the Twingo in 2012.

So is Renault’s calculation a good one? From a heart perspective, aside from the highly questionable R17, we would be tempted to say yes. But it will be the sales figures that have the final word. Renault must not become an outdated brand, as this could overshadow modern models such as the remarkable Rafale… Ah no, missed again, it’s a reference to the Caudron C.460 “Rafale,” a 1930s airplane powered by Renault.

So we will go to the Paris Motor Show to discover these modern classics, but especially the concept car Emblème. A car that is truly a 100% new creation with a message very much of our time regarding reducing CO2 emissions at all stages of a car’s life. Now that’s truly modern!

ALSO READ: Welcome aboard the new Renault 5 electric