Boulogne, France

“In my eyes, the R5 embodies a pop, optimistic, resolutely contemporary life. With Renault 5 Diamant I wanted to pay tribute to its revolutionary design while translating my universe of shapes and colors into the automotive world,” states designer Pierre Gonalons.

Pierre Gonalons and Renault’s design team celebrate the 50th anniversary of Renault 5 and revive this pop culture icon as an electric car, reflecting the designer’s vision of a car of the future.

The original Renault 5 was released in 1972 and “it was a revolution in form when it was launched. It’s a very beautiful design object, with very lean lines,” according to the designer.

In the 2022’s electric version, major changes under the familiar silhouette have been made, bearing Gonalons’ design identity.  He deliberately removed important components and adjusted them like a jewel.

“The very first editions of the Renault 5 came in orange. This was new, suggestive, and even a forbidden color for the age. In 2022, I think pink has the same connotations, certainly within the car industry,” says Gonalons.

Faceted like precious stones, the headlights are no longer integrated into the front end, but take form in front of them. The same logic was applied to the taillights as well.

The wide wheels originally from the sporty Alpine version, have been smoothed and adorned with a sun over the center of the rim.

The exterior tint adopts a tri-coat paint, made with gold paintwork on a pink background.

The body is covered with a matte varnish, creating changing effects depending on the light conditions.

Golden flashes are visible under the sunlight, while bluer splashes are seen in darker sceneries.

Controls such as door and window handles are truncated brass spheres, guilded in pale gold, whilst the extraordinary steering wheel is marble on carbon.

“The wheel makes the biggest impact,” he says, admitting that “marble is a very surrealist choice. But then it’s part of my design universe. I like things that are not what they seem.” 

The Renault 5 Diamant is full of delightful details for instance Renault’s famous logo has been a diamond since 1925, and the aptly named Diamant’s logo incorporates Pierre Gonalons’ initials into the geometric form, with gold letters intertwined into the silver. 

Project: Renault 5 Diamant
Designers: Pierre Gonalons and Renault Design Team
Manufacturer: Renault Group