A Legend Reborn, Electrified
The Renault 5 was a fixture on European roads for decades, a symbol of chic, practical French motoring. Now, it’s back as the Renault 5 E-Tech electric, a thoroughly modern car that wears its heritage with pride. Its design is a masterclass in retro-futurism,
capturing the cheeky, beloved silhouette of the original while being an entirely new, all-electric vehicle. Built on a new platform designed for compact EVs, it aims to make electric driving more accessible and fun. With its compact dimensions, it’s designed for city life but promises enough performance and range for weekend getaways, aiming to be a stylish and practical choice for a new generation.
The Crocodile on the Clay Court
The headline's claim of "Lacoste fabric everywhere" points to a very specific, and very French, collaboration: the Renault 5 E-Tech Roland-Garros special edition. This model pays homage to the iconic French Open tennis tournament. The connection to Lacoste is deep and historic; the brand's founder, René Lacoste, was a tennis champion, and Lacoste has been the official partner of Roland-Garros for over 50 years. While not officially a Lacoste-branded car, the special edition is steeped in the brand's DNA. The seats are upholstered in a light grey textile inspired by technical sportswear, with a fine graphic pattern designed to evoke the famous Lacoste petit piqué cotton of its classic polo shirts. The Roland-Garros logo is heat-embossed on the front seats, and the overall design language, from a gear selector shaped like a tennis racket grip to accents the colour of a clay court, celebrates this enduring partnership.
Is It a True 'Hot Hatch'?
The term "hot hatch" comes with expectations of performance, and the Renault 5 E-Tech aims to deliver. In its most powerful configuration, it features a 110 kW (150 hp) electric motor that powers the front wheels. This allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about 8 seconds, putting it squarely in "warm" to "hot" hatchback territory, especially for a small electric car. It’s not just about straight-line speed; Renault has equipped the car with a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, a feature not common in this class, which promises agile handling and a comfortable ride. This focus on driving dynamics, combined with instant torque from the electric motor, ensures that the car is as fun to drive as its styling suggests, living up to the legacy of performance versions of the original Renault 5.
A Trend on Wheels
Fashion and automotive collaborations are nothing new, but they often feel like simple branding exercises. Ford has partnered with Filson, and BMW has worked with Kith, for example. More recently, Alpine, Renault's performance brand, revealed a wilder concept car with Lacoste featuring hundreds of crocodile logos. However, the Renault 5 Roland-Garros edition feels more integrated. Instead of just applying logos, it weaves the story of a place (Roland-Garros stadium) and a style icon (Lacoste) into the very fabric and details of the car. The interior materials are not just stylish but also have a sustainable angle, with many trims using recycled textiles. This approach creates a vehicle that feels special and tells a story, connecting the driver to a rich cultural history that goes beyond both cars and clothes.
