Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault 5 Diamant celebrates 50 years of the French supermini

The Renault 5 Diamant is an all-electric recreation, featuring a horsehair dash and marble steering wheel

In 1972 we first laid eyes on the Renault 5 and it went on to be an incredible success, with over five million examples of the first generation model finding homes. To celebrate the original half a century after its launch, Renault enrolled the talents of French designer Pierre Gonalons to create this new Renault 5 Diamant show car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The proportions of the Diamant are instantly recognizable as those of a 5. The sharp, sloping rear hatch, semi-covered rear wheels and bluff front end are all traits that helped the Renault 5 gain and maintain popularity until the end of the second-generation model’s production run in 1996. 

The Diamant has been given a thorough makeover, even the powertrain has been swapped out for an all-electric unit. There’s three-layer paint on the exterior, made up of golden pigments on a pink base with frosted varnish on top. The headlights, which Renault says are ‘gem-like’, protrude out from the bonnet. 

At the side there are wider wheels taken from the hotter Alpine model, although they ditch the turbine design in favour of a simple black and white hub cap. New round door mirrors are finished in gold, as are the door handles and exterior window trim. The rear features the same large square hatch opening with ‘R5 Diamant’ wording on the tailgate. The rear lights also follow on from the front’s ‘gem-like’ design. 

The most eye-catching feature inside the Diamant has to be the uniquely shaped steering wheel made from recycled marble. In front of the driver there are three dials showing speed, battery charge and time. Covering the dash is hand-woven horsehair fabric. 

The Diamant showcases plenty of impressive tech, with a smartphone holder sitting in the middle of the dash and a fingerprint scanner to unlock the doors. Being a pure-electric car, it also has a three-position sequential shift lever. 

The Diamant is just a concept car but an all-electric Renault 5 is coming with production of the R5 EV scheduled to begin in 2024. 

Check out our dedicated concept cars page here

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best commuter cars to buy now 2025
Best commuter cars 2025 - header

Best commuter cars to buy now 2025

No matter what size, shape or price of car you’re after, one of these commuter car recommendations will be right for you.
Best cars & vans
29 Apr 2025
Mon Dieu! Bonkers 533bhp Renault 5 Turbo 3E is selling fast, even with £135,000 price tag
New Renault 5 Turbo 3E Ellis Hyde - front 3/4

Mon Dieu! Bonkers 533bhp Renault 5 Turbo 3E is selling fast, even with £135,000 price tag

Rear-wheel-drive hot hatch on steroids will be made in limited numbers, with each one hand-built to customers’ specifications
News
24 Apr 2025
Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five long-term test: hype, heritage and a hint of madness
Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five long-term test - header

Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five long-term test: hype, heritage and a hint of madness

Does the retro-inspired electric supermini live up to the massive hype?
Long-term tests
21 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: sacre bleu! New Renault 5 for just £229 a month
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: sacre bleu! New Renault 5 for just £229 a month

It may be the most fashionable EV in town right now, but there are deals to be had on the Renault 5. It’s our Deal of the Day for 9 April
News
9 Apr 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025